Page 82 of The Pursuit

“And what would that be?”

“It’s about love and romance and intimacy.”

“You sound like my sister after she’s read a book with some half-naked dude on the cover.”

Gaby laughed. “I guess she and I have a lot in common.”

Since I wanted to derail any more talk of love for the moment, I decided to somewhat change the subject. “Speaking of sisters, what’s the deal with Bella and Jude?” I asked.

Gaby’s gaze pinged between the two of them. “You noticed that?”

Snorting, I replied, “I’m pretty sure you could cut the unresolved sexual tension between them with a chainsaw.”

“That’s because they want to rip each other’s clothes off and bang each other.”

A smirk curved on my lips. “So, we have a lot in common with them?”

With an impish grin, she replied, “Yeah.”

“What’s stopping them?”

“Too much baggage.”

“Like what?”

“Well, there’s the fact they’ve been friends since we were kids.”

“So were we,” I countered.

Gaby shook her head. “We weren’t even in the same league. You were an acquaintance from my childhood that I maybe saw at yearly birthday parties. Bella and Jude were raised as part of an extended family because of the band.”

“Let me guess. Because of how they grew up, it’s kinda taboo for them to get together?”

“For Jude it definitely is. He struggles with seeing Bella as a little sister, especially since she’s five years younger than him.”

“Maybe she could just call him daddy in bed?” I suggested.

Gaby rolled her eyes but laughed in spite of herself. “I’m pretty sure that won’t help.”

“It’s worth a try.” Waggling my brows, I added, “Since I’m older, you could totally call me daddy.”

Wrinkling her nose, Gaby replied, “Ew, I don’t find that even remotely sexy.”

“Have you ever even tried?”

“No. And I’m not going to.”

“I’m totally going to get you to call me daddy.”

“Don’t count on it.”

“Are you challenging me?”

Her dark eyes flared defiantly. “You can take it how you want to, but I will never,evercall you daddy.”

“Challenge accepted.

“Dream on, Fitzgerald,” she mused, her breath fanning against my cheek.

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