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“Shh!” He hushes me, scanning the bushes. I hide a smile and follow.
“If this is your way of trying to tempt me into some outdoor activities…” I whisper. “Because… Well, who am I kidding? I can be tempted.”
“I’ll remember that.” Dash turns back to flash a wicked grin. “But really—”
The birdsong comes again, and Dash yanks me down behind a tree stump. “Look!” he breathes. “Over there!”
Sure enough, there’s a tiny bird settled on a tree branch. It’s got blue and white feathers, happily singing away.
“You know, songbirds are famous for bringing good luck,” Dash murmurs. He turns his head, so his lips are just inches from mine.
“Is that so?” I ask, crouched there beside him.
He smiles. “They bring fortune to whoever hears them sing.”
I smile back. “I’d say we already have that, don’t you?”
Our lips meet, softly, and I know, it might have started with a game of pretend, but I nothing is ever going to be fake about our relationship again.
Because this is as real as it gets.
23
Callie
Two months later…
* * *
“OK! Paint over there, rollers here, you guys tape the windows, and everyone else, stand by for your assignments.”
Dash and I exchange a look. “Your sister missed her calling as a drill sergeant,” I whisper theatrically.
Piper hears me and sticks a paint roller in my hand. “If by that, you mean I show excellent leadership skills, you’d be right,” she beams. “Now, there’s a wall over there in need of painting.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
We salute and get to work. The Eastside Women’s Center is getting a facelift, and I’ve recruited everyone to come help with the redecorating project. Piper, Lorelei, and all the Mavericks guys are pitching in, too. Austin is halfway up a ladder doing something with a light fixture, Charlie is mixing paint with Grace, and Seb is setting out the drop cloths.
“… And once you’re finished here, there are some shelves upstairs that need fixing…” Suze marches Flynn past.
“Uh oh, he shouldn’t have told her about his background in construction,” I laugh.
“He loves it, really.” Dash grins back, already speckled with paint. “And we’re happy to help out.”
“With all this muscle, we’ll be done in no time,” I say happily, looking around.
“You like my muscles, huh?” Dash teases, leaning in for a kiss.
“I… Don’t mind them.” I blush.
“That’s not what you said last night.” His voice drops, smoldering, and I flick paint at him.
“Let’s keep it PG in here, people!” Piper passes us.
“Later,” Dash promises, low in my ear, and I feel a happy shiver.
It’s been a couple of months since we got together—again, officially—and everything has been going great. Better than great. If I had any concerns about how Dash would adjust to being a one-woman guy after years of playing around, he’s quelled them all. He’s been nothing but attentive and loyal. In fact, we’re pretty damn nauseating—at least, according to his friends. Who have fast become my friends, too.
