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“I kicked my ass into gear and went after him, but it could’ve gone the other way. Figuring out our relationship took effort on both our parts. You have to want it and recognize that you can be each other’s greatest ally. But it can’t be him and you. It has to be you both together. You both have to want it more than you’ve ever wanted anything your whole life. You have to hand yourself over to it and be ready to ride the rapids.”
“Sounds terrifying.”
Roxie laughed. “Sometimes it is. But it can also be the most epic adventure of your life.”
In theory. Them together. Already Roxie had given her a lot to think about.
“Thank you,” she said. “I didn’t know you were coming, but I’m so grateful that you did.”
“It’s not my place to intrude,” Roxie said, touching her clavicle. “Your relationship is your relationship. Please don’t think I came here to push you one way or another. Xander left you alone, and he was worried. It’s important to him that you have support.”
“He called you?”
“He called Zairn. They talked. I might have been eavesdropping. They look at things from such a male perspective, which isn’t always helpful. And if you’re going to be a permanent feature, it doesn’t hurt us to form our own posse.”
“The power behind the crown?”
“Exactly!”
“You and Jane?”
“And Merci and Lilya.” Roxie tilted to stage whisper. “Though Lilya’s a secret right now, Kintyre’s having issues.”
“Issues?”
“With his ex-wife,” Roxie said with a sigh. “Julietta’s a handful.”
“Julietta,” she murmured. “Kintyre…” She straightened. “Julietta Ines-Kintyre. Oh my God, isn’t she—”
“Yes,” Roxie said, raising a flat palm. “But trust me, you don’t want to wade into it. Toria and Astrid are part of our clan too, they’re single right now. A relationship is optional in our group. You don’t need a man to be whole, honey.”
“But it sure helps?”
“Well, their bank balances do,” Roxie said and laughed.
“You’re lucky to have so many friends in your life.”
Roxie took her hand and bounced to the front of the couch. “You have us too. Want to come meet some of our allies?”
The adventure starts here? “I should talk to Xander about—”
“Start as you mean to go on. We can ask his permission, or we can live our best lives.”
Asking any man, or any person, permission wasn’t her style. “Maybe I need a do-over.”
“Yeah, you do. A fresh take and a refresh,” Roxie said, surprising her with a clap of her hands. “Nowhere better for that than New York.”
She raised her head. “New York?”
Roxie side-nodded and stood, offering her hand. “You need to get out of this apartment. Out of this city. Forget about your guy troubles and have some fun.”
She took her hand and stood. “Fun? Where?”
Roxie waved her engagement ring in front of her. “The Ruby Room. Where else?” Her new friend drew her to her feet. “We’ll stop by your place and grab what you need for your passport.”
“My passport?”
“Never know what’s right around the corner,” Roxie said, guiding her over to the door just as it opened to a tall, broad guy holding a tray of cups. Her new friend just sailed on by. “Coffee? Geez, Trev, this woman needs a party. Where’s all the alcohol?” She showed a teasing smile, tweaked the deadpan bodyguard’s cheek, and linked their arms. “Don’t worry, he loves me really.”
