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I watch as her gaze guides across the design. I see the joy when it rises inside. Looking down, she pulls her shirt away from her chest, and says, “Got Rhubarb?”
I grin. “I got your rhubarb right here, babe.”
“Where’d you find that shirt? It’s perfect.”
“In the I’m-the-right-guy-for-you section of the store.”
Her lips twist with a smile that warms my heart. “Punny guy.”
I wink. “I learn from the best.”
I used to think that sex had nothing to do with dating. Dating was about companionship while sex just satisfied physical needs. I was wrong. With the right person, you not only find what you want but you also get what you need.
I kiss the top of her head and then lower to her forehead and cheek and then find her lips. When we’re left breathless, we part begrudgingly. Tealey’s smile lights up my life once again, and she asks, “Is it me or is the best part of fighting the making up?”
“I think it’s the only good part of fighting.” I smirk. “I think we should get to it. Do you still have those condoms?”
Joy sparks in her eyes. “We’ve used a lot, but I think I have a good twenty or so left. Except they’re at home.”
Home.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and kiss her head again. “Yes, speaking of, let’s go home together. Forever.” I kiss her again and then let her go, only temporarily so she can gather her belongings. “I forgot to ask, who’s Poughkeepsie and what an unfortunate name.”
“What do you mean who?”
I narrow my eyes in confusion. “Last night, you said you were choosing Poughkeepsie.”
“Oh.” She laughs. “The city.”
“Still lost.” I’ve learned that eventually, we’ll get there, but I’m not in a hurry.
Rolling her suitcase in from the spare room, she says, “I’m being transferred to Poughkeepsie.”
“What?” I ask, thinking we just took two steps back. “No way. Not having it. Not on my watch.”
With her hand on her hip, she cocks a brow at me over a teasing smile. “You may have a nice watch, Rad, but you have no say.”
I grin. “We’ll see.”
40
Tealey
Lately, Rad’s favorite thing to do is to introduce me as his girlfriend . . . to anyone who will listen.
Strangers at the coffee shop.
The poor souls stuck sitting next to us at restaurants.
Don’t even get me started on the sweet elderly couple at the movie theater the other night. The memory causes me to blush on command.
I’m not complaining. I always get a compliment or two. He gets a “lucky guy,” so I figure we both win. It’s just fun to tease him because seeing the former most eligible bachelor brag about how lucky he is for being my boyfriend makes me pretty damn lucky, too.
We walk in, holding hands, and weave through the busy diner until we see our friends in the back. I wave. I know Cammie and Cade were only gone two weeks, but I’ve missed them. And now they’re officially a married couple.
A round of mimosas awaits us, and we hug. “Was it the best?” I ask her about their honeymoon in the Bahamas.
“It’s the bluest water I’ve ever seen. We all need to go sometime.” She leans in as the guys shake hands. “And you need to fill me in on everything asap. I’ve been dying for this to come out.”
“You knew?”
She glances to Rad nervously. “Um, someone let it slip in the Hamptons.” Just as I give Rad the evil eye, she says, “I was sworn to secrecy and it was nice to see thing evolve naturally. You didn’t need all of us in your relationship.”
“I appreciate that.” Giving Rad a look again, I say, “You owe me a new mug.” It’s my favorite way to justify my addiction, get him to buy them for me.
He squeezes my hand. “I know other ways to repay you.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting.”
Kissing the top of my head, he says, “I’ll tell you all about it later in bed.”
My body heats and I wipe my brow. “Can’t wait.”
Cade leans in to give me a hug, and then I turn to sit next to Rad right before Jackson and Marlow walk in. Or maybe I should say, arriving at the same time. She looks at him behind her in surprise. “Oh, I didn’t see you there.” She acts all awkward. “Hey.”
He nods . . . awkwardly. “Hey.”
I notice a few people around our table staring. We never much cared if we made a scene. We’re loud. We’re a family.
With Rad holding my hand on one side of me, Marlow says, “We should hang out soon.”
“We should.” We’ve communicated through text several times and had a call after Rad and I made up, but it’s been relatively quiet after that. I ask, “Are you doing okay?”
“I am.”
Getting a good look at her, I start to see the subtle changes in her hair—less styled and more natural. Her makeup is lighter, and her clothes are casual. Casual for Marlow anyhow. “You look pretty.”
