Page 55 of Liam

Astrid had painted Taamira’s nails for her and Evelyn had done Laverne’s, and now that they had dried, they were switching. As they debated what colours would best go with their dresses, she smiled at the easy camaraderie she had with these women. How had she gone her entire life without these sorts of friendships? Taamira knew she was not entrenched with them as she could tell the bond between these three had been forged with blood and tears, but she was never on the outside looking in, she was part of the group.

“So, tell me about your country. Is it as beautiful as I’ve heard?” Laverne asked as she pulled the nail polish brush over Evelyn’s nail.

Taamira looked up from adding a topcoat to Astrid’s left hand the coral colour a perfect tone for her skin colouring. “It is incredibly beautiful. We have acres and acres of lemon and olive groves, the sea is the clearest you have ever seen, and the sand on the beaches is a perfect white. The spice markets fill the air with lush aromatics, and the vibrant colour of the fruits and vegetable traders alongside the jewel colours of the bolts of silk is a joy to the senses.”

“It sounds like heaven.”

“It is, and it is not. The place is beauty beyond compare, but the palace itself is like living in a wasp’s nest.”

“Do you think you will go back at all?” Astrid asked as she put her hand back under the UV light to finish drying her nails.

“I want to show Liam my country. The people of my land are wonderful, the market traders, the restaurant owners, all of the real people, not the ones who think they are above everyone else because they wake up under satin sheets every day.”

“Sounds serious between you.” Evelyn wiggled her eyebrows.

“It is, he told me he loves me, that he wants us to make a family one day.” Taamira shared her joy, wanting to talk about it with others; her excitement spilling over.

“What? This is huge. Why didn’t you tell me immediately?” Evelyn demanded with a huge grin.

Taamira looked to the other two women who seemed equally excited for her or perhaps for Liam. “I did not think it would interest you.”

“Are you crazy, woman? I live for this kind of thing. Tell me everything.”

Taamira told them a little of what had happened and exulting in their honest joy for her.

“This is wonderful. I can’t wait for everyone to get partnered up so we can have parties with more women attending. The Eidolon men are great, but the testosterone is ridiculous.” Evelyn laughed as she looked at Laverne and Astrid. “You need to get yourselves a man so we can drag you into our blissed-up caravan of love.”

Laverne and Astrid looked aghast.

“Not on your life, I don’t need or want a man, thanks very much,” Astrid stated.

“I thought you and Jack had a vibe,” Taamira stated quietly.

“No way, that man makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a rusty knife every time I see him. He may be ridiculously hot, but he’s an arrogant, self-centred, egotistical, alpha asshole,” Astrid announced

Everyone went silent for as she had been speaking, Jack had walked in behind her and now stood with his arms crossed over his chest, an arched eyebrow and cheeky smirk playing on his face.

“He’s behind me, isn’t he?” Astrid groaned and turned to find Jack behind her with one eyebrow raised.

“You think I’m hot?”

“Urgh, typical you only notice that word.”

“Oh, I noticed all of them, Astrid, I just choose not to listen to your hormonal ramblings.”

The women drew in a harsh breath as he said the word hormonal, knowing he’d made a fatal mistake.

Astrid rose like a graceful ballerina and prowled to him, and Taamira stared in fascination as the two beautiful and deadly people glared at each other. “What did you say?”

“You heard me, Astrid, or is the knowledge that I’d never touch you like that clouding your brain?”

“If you ever tried to touch me, I’d cut off your balls and feed them to the pigs,” Astrid replied.

“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart, we both know different.” With that, he turned, grabbed his Tuxedo from the hanger on the wardrobe, and walked out of the room.

Taamira looked at Evelyn and Laverne who were staring at Astrid.

“Why do I feel like I need a cigarette or something? That was hot, even insulting each other you two throw some major chemistry,” Laverne said as she fanned herself.