Page 83 of Reckless Love
“You should come to one of our girl nights,” Sadie says.
“Totally!” Tru adds. “They’re a little crazy right now because of the holidays and football season, but yes, please come out with us!”
“I would love to,” she says.
We exchange numbers before she leaves.
When Calista is done with the next customer, she points at me. “I can’t believe you’re still here. Go.” She holds out her arms and I go hug her. “Don’t be afraid of this. I have never seen any two people more perfect for each other than you and Rhodes.”
“Same,” Sadie says.
“We’re all in agreement here, and I know the guys feel the same way too. We’ve all discussed it,” Tru says.
“Really?” I look at each one of them.
“Even when I’ve been around,” Stephanie says.
“Wow. Well, I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up because I have no idea what’s going to happen next?—”
“What’s happening next is that you’re gonna get home and do sexy, sexy things with that man,” Tru whispers. “Don’t overthink this, okay?”
“What she said,” Sadie points at Tru.
“Okay.” I nod. “Okay,” I repeat more emphatically.
I drive to Rhodes’ and crank “Now I’m In It” by HAIM the whole way. When I pull into his driveway and get out of the car, Rhodes opens the door before I even reach his steps and walks toward me. His hands twist through my hair and he pulls me in for a toe-curling kiss.
“Welcome home,” he says when we break apart.
Oh, I couldsoget used to this.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
RHODES
Now
I wasafraid that a day away from me would give Elle time to think about what we did last night and send her running for the hills. When I got home and she wasn’t here, it sent me spiraling a bit. But the way her eyes shone atthe bookstore every time she looked at me…the way she kisses me back when she gets home, leaning up on her tiptoes to get closer…all feels right with the world.
We go inside, Levi running to grab her hand, and we spend the next hour and a half playing with him. She reads book after book to him and he falls asleep with his head on her lap. He’s overjoyed having her here. And I know the feeling.
After I’ve carried him to bed, I find her in the kitchen, cleaning up the Honey Nut Cheerios Levi was snacking on earlier.
I come up behind her and nuzzle her neck.
“I can get this,” I say. “You don’t have to clean up after us.”
“I’ve gotta pull my weight around here,” she says, her head falling back on my chest. “And you know I can’t leave a mess for two seconds.”
I laugh against her skin. “I do love how tidy you are.”
“I love how tidy you are too.”
I hum. My nose trails up her skin until my mouth reaches her ears. “Lotta love going on around here.”
“Hmm.” I feel her cheeks lift with her smile.