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Zoey embraced Vickie tightly. “Thank you so much. Hazel will love it.”
Vickie looked at Gordy, who’d been careful not to act affectionate since they’d arrived. He was being a perfect gentleman, following her request to keep their relationship quiet. Then she looked to Mike, who slid his arm around Zoey’s waist, but still had a shadow behind his eyes. Vickie had told Rick earlier that she was going to warn Mike not to break Zoey’s heart. But the heartbreak might be heading in the other direction.
“Gordy and I are together,” she announced. It felt good to say it out loud and make it real, even if the words earned her three stunned expressions.
“Okay, then.” Gordy laughed, his eyes warm. “I guess we’re official.”
“Uh...” Mike hesitated, giving Vickie a quizzical look before nodding in approval. “Congratulations.”
“Definitely congratulations in my direction,” Gordy answered, his gaze still on Vickie. “I got lucky, and then some.”
Zoey folded her arms. “After the guilt trip you sent me on a few hours ago when you found out about Mike and I? You even played thegodmothercard on me. And this whole time, you and Gordy have been...” Her brows lowered. “What exactlyhaveyou been doing?”
“We’ve been screwing, Zoey. Old people still do that, you know.”
Gordy started coughing. “So we’ve gone from keeping things quiet to discussing our sex life.” He leaned toward Mike, putting one hand to the side of his mouth like he was telling a secret. “Which is pretty damn good, if you’re wondering.”
“I’m not.” Mike shook his head, holding his hands up in front of him with a laugh. “I’mreallynot.”
Gordy’s eyes widened. “Wait... Zoey, you said something about you and Mike... Are you two...?”
Mike nodded, sliding his arm around Zoey again. “Must be something in the water. Looks like everyone in Rendezvous Falls is doin’ it like rabbits these days.”
Zoey was still staring at Vickie. Her mouth slowly slid into a smile. “Well, look at you, Victoria Pendergast. Gettin’ it on with the contractor. Good for you—both of you. Is it serious?”
Vickie rolled her eyes. “No, I always hop in the sack with random people employed at my home.”
Gordy pretended to whistle, looking around the room as if he no longer wanted to be part of this conversation. Vickie took his hand before continuing. “You told everyone earlier that you and Mike are brand-new. Well, so are we. I’m not sure where this train is headed, but I’m happy I took the ride. And I don’t want to hide it anymore.” It occurred to her that she hadn’t asked Gordy before sharing their news. She swallowed, turning to him. “Unless you want to? I don’t mind—”
He silenced her with a kiss, firm and steadying. Then he looked straight into her eyes. “I told you before that you were worth bragging about, and I meant it. I’d be proud to have you on my arm anywhere you want to go. I’m also happy just hanging out at your place. Quiet. Loud. Public. Private. The only thing that matters is being with you. The rest is just noise.”
Her knees trembled, and she forced them to stay steady. But when her heart trembled, skipping a beat or two, she had no control over that. She was falling in love with Gordy.
Oh, hell—who was she kidding? She’d already fallen.
The question was...hadhe?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ZOEYWATCHEDHAZELand held her breath. Would she like the bed from Vickie’s, even though it wasn’t exactly what she’d had on her wish list? The paint was what she wanted, so that had to mean something. And she’d picked out the chandelier herself at Tani’s furniture store. They’d been able to use Tani’s employee discount, so it had fit in Zoey’s budget—especially since she didn’t have to buy a bed.
“Mom...” Hazel turned in the center of the room. “This is... Wow. It’s perfect!” She ran over and wrapped Zoey in a tight embrace. “I love it! But you said we were on a budget...where did you get that amazing bed? Tani?”
“No, the bed is a gift from Vickie.”
“She bought me a bed?”
“No, sweetie. She had the bed and didn’t want it anymore. It was close enough to your dream bed that she thought it might work.” Zoey nodded toward the headboard. “She added the jewels herself.”
“OMG! This is going to look so sick on my videos.”
Zoey grimaced. “Just don’t forget the rules, okay? No videos that showanyskin or anything risqué, right? Safety first.”
“Yes, Mom.” Hazel’s voice drawled out like a verbal eye roll. “Iknow.You tell me every other day. You know I only do fashion and stuff, right?”
“And you know it’s my job to keep you safe and happy, right?” Zoey didn’t want to start an argument right now. “Does the room make you happy?”
Hazel’s smile returned, brighter than ever. “Sohappy, Mom. It’s amazing. Can I have Sienna stay over this week? She’ll scream when she sees this.”
