Page 59 of Last Mile

Annabel crossed her arms over her chest. “Just what would you call it, then?”

“I don’t know, but I sure as hell wouldn’t call it smitten.” Kim tapped her chin. “Maybe pussy- whipped?”

“Uh, that’s not the case, I can assure you.”

“Don’t worry, Sam. Bishop’s and your sex life is strictly your business,” Kim said.

Before I could argue that we didn’t have a sex life, Alexandra said, “That’s utter and total bullshit.”

“It is not,” Kim countered.

Alexandra wagged a finger at Kim. “You know as well as I do that nothing is sacred, especially when it comes to sex. Everyone has their nose stuck in everyone else’s business.”

Kim sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”

“After we caught Annabel and Rev screwing in the pantry, you had to tell them all about seeing Deacon’s ass when he and I had done the same,” Alexandra said, her eyes twinkling.

Annabel groaned. “Thank you for that commentary, Alex. Now anyone who didn’t know about Rev and me does.”

“That must be one hell of a pantry,” I mused.

Kim winked. “Maybe you and Bishop can take a turn in there.”

“Once again, we’re just friends.” I knew regardless of how many times I said that, the women were not going to believe me. I tried ignoring the voice inside me that couldn’t help wondering what it would be like if Bishop and I were more than friends. At the same time, my libido, which was limping along after an extreme dry spell, couldn’t help getting hot and bothered about the thought of having sex with Bishop in the infamous pantry.

“And there’s nothing wrong with them being just friends. Right, ladies?” Annabel said.

“Of course,” Alexandra replied.

When I looked at Kim, she wore a surprisingly somber expression. “I know it’s probably hard for you to think of more with Bishop after what happened with Marley.”

I sucked in a harsh breath as her words took me off guard.

“Yes. It is.”

She cupped my cheek tenderly. “Your Marley was a good man, and I know you miss him bad. But just don’t forget that life is for the living. I lost a lot of time I could have had with my Breakneck by hiding in my grief for my Case. I finally had to realize that my Case wouldn’t want me to be unhappy the rest of my life. He would want me to have a good life, and to make his brother, who had been through a rough patch, happy.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

Kim smiled. “Just know that we’re all here for you and want you to be happy . . . especially if it’s with Bishop.”

I laughed along with the others. “Okay.” Realizing I was still holding the present, I handed it to Annabel. “I hope you know I didn’t mean anything by getting Rev something. Bishop said he loved nonfiction books on history.”

She smiled. “It’s fine. In fact, it would be pretty rude to show up at someone’s party without a gift.”

Kim snickered. “Of course you would say that, Miss Manners.”

Waving her hand dismissively, Annabel replied, “Whatever.

Besides, Rev loves gifts. I swear he acts just like a little boy again on his birthdays.”

“So, what did you get him?” I asked.

“Eggs,” Annabel replied, with a dreamy smile.

I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Does he like to eat them or something?”

Alexandra and Kim busted out laughing at my remark, which earned them a disapproving look from Annabel. “They’re not chicken eggs to eat. They’re my eggs,” Annabel replied.