Page 53 of Bombshell (Whiskey Dolls 1)

He let go of my hand so I could dart up the stairs where I’d left my overnight bag and purse after getting dressed earlier. I slid my feet into a pair of pink flip-flops that matched the T-shirt and looked cute with my frayed denim shorts.

I grabbed my purse and was starting down the stairs when my cell began to ring. Stopping three steps from the bottom, I fished it out, smiling at Tali’s name, and swiped to answer.

“Hey, babe.”

“Marin,” she sniffled. My back went straight at the tears in her voice, concern flooding my veins.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I did it,” she said brokenly. “I kicked Nick out this morning.” Her sentence ended on a sob, then, “Can you come over, please?”

“Of course, honey. I’ll be right there.”

“Would—would you stop and get more of those muffins on your way?”

“Absolutely.” My heart splintered into a million pieces for my strong big sister. “Are you going to be okay until I get there?”

“No... but also yes.”

“Okay. I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I disconnected and dropped my phone back into my bag before hurrying down the rest of the stairs. “Pierce, I’m so sorry, but I have to go.”

He stopped me with a palm to the side of my neck, worry etched into his masculine features. “Is everything all right?”

“No,” I said on a sigh, giving my head a shake. “That was Tali. She’s a wreck. She kicked Nick out.”

Understanding washed through his eyes. “Okay. Go, take care of her, babe.”

I leaned into him already addicted to the heat he provided. I didn’t want to leave him, but I had to be there for Tali. That wasn’t an option. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I know this was supposed to be our time—”

“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted. “She’s your sister, and she needs you. I totally understand. Call or text me later whenever you can. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

Lifting up on my tiptoes, I pressed a kiss to his lips, already missing him before I’d even left. “You’re kind of incredible, you know that?”

“I do, but feel free to say it as often as you want.”

I lowered back down, feeling my lips pull into a pout as I stepped back, preparing to leave. Why did it suddenly feel so damn hard?

Once again, my stupid face gave me away. “I don’t want you to leave either,” he said, flooding my chest with warmth. “But your sister comes first.” He looped his finger in one of my belt loops and pulled me to him. “Besides, we’ll have plenty of time for us.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” I said with one last kiss before finally forcing myself to the door. “I’ll talk to you soon. Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

“I’ll try not to, baby.”

I gave myself until I reached Muffin Top to wipe the elated smile off my face. I needed to be there for Tali, and there was no way I was walking into that house with a just-banged-to-within-an-inch-of-my-life glow while her marriage was falling apart.

* * *

I barely recognized the woman who answered my sister’s front door. Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks were red, and her nose was swollen from a serious crying jag. Her hair was piled in a ratty mess on top of her head, and it looked like she was still in the clothes she’d worn the day before.

“Kitchen or living room?” I asked.

“Kitchen. If I sit in the living room I’m going to wallow right into the furniture.”

I followed her into the immaculately clean kitchen, taking the stool next to hers, and began unloading everything I brought from Muffin Top. Six maple bacon muffins, all for her, and the largest coffee they sold.

“All right,” I started once I had her all set. “Start from the beginning, but first, are the kids home?”

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