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Luna lumbers in, and I give her a rub between the ears before she slides to rest on the floor near the sofa at our feet. Her blond fur shines in the afternoon sunlight. I rub one hand up and down Brighton’s spine.
“There’s a case I’ve been working on that has some impact on the ranch. I wanted to talk to him about it.”
“What about the ranch? What impact?”
I blow past her questions. “And I told him about us.”
Her head whips back, and the eyes she pins me with would terrify a wild boar. “You what?!”
“I didn’t stutter, baby.”
“I didn’t either, Elias.” She emphasizes every syllable in my name.
“I told him we’re together and asked for his blessing. He gave it.”
“Just like that?”
“He had more to say than that, but… yeah.”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Did I steal your thunder?”
“No.”
“Then why are you surprised?”
“We’re so new. So new. Like one day new. Why would you bring my family into this?”
“Are you planning on dumping me on day two?”
“No.”
“Day three?”
“Of course not.”
“Darlin’, we’re not sixteen. We’re not navigating life unsure. I’ve wanted you for a long time, and you told me you feel the same. We’re adults. We’re going to give this a shot. I’ll fight for it. I hope you do too. But, baby, I’m not sneaking around behind Kimp’s back. I respect him too much.”
“But he… I…”
“He’s happy for us, Bright. You need to recognize that.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
I kiss down her neck and stop near her ear. “You like when I tell you what to do. Or you will.”
The shiver that runs down her vibrates through me.
“Now, pasta and talk?”
She nods, and we get on with dinner.
* * *
Brighton
“And you didn’t thinkto tell me?”
