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Cass’s eyebrows went up. Hunter definitely sounded sincere. And, she called her Cass. Good listener. Rebecca needed that in her life. Cass felt the tension easing.

“Nice to, uh, kinda meet you, too,” she said awkwardly causing both Rebecca and Hunter to laugh.

“We have to get together soon and celebrate!” Hunter suggested enthusiastically.

“Do you always celebrate someone getting a girlfriend in your circle?” Cass asked genuinely.

“When it’s Rebecca who hasn’t given anyone a second look in years, yes!”

“Hey! I’m sitting right here,” Rebecca chimed in. She was a little put off by the years remark, but she knew Hunter didn’t mean anything by it. “But, I think you’re right. We should all get together and have dinner. That includes Mo and Patty. Is that okay with you, baby?”

Well, shit. I didn’t have anything at all to worry about. “Sounds awesome to me!” It also reminded her of lunch with Rand and Connor. She hadn’t asked Rebecca, yet. But, hell, if they were in the “let’s tell everyone we’re dating” mode, she didn’t think Rebecca would have a problem with lunch.

“Awesome,” Rebecca laughed softly. She stared into Cassidy’s shining eyes for a moment before remembering Hunter was on the other line. “You’ll have to tell us when you’re available, Hunter. She’s a trauma surgeon,” Rebecca explained to Cassidy who responded with a silent “cool.”

“Will do. I’m excited to meet the woman that tamed you.”

“I don’t know about tamed,” Cass said.

“I’m still the one with the whip,” Rebecca quipped and almost lost it when Cassidy’s eyes grew wide with shock. “Hunter knows about Mistress, baby. She’s a very good friend who’s been there since the night Samantha died.”

“Oh.” There was a tiny pause and then, “Oh! Wait! Trauma surgeon? Was she? Were you Rebecca’s doctor, Hunter?” Cass asked, bringing Hunter back into the conversation

“Sure was.”

“I can’t wait to shake your hand and thank you for saving my girl’s life.” Cass grinned at the slight blush that graced Rebecca’s face.

“Just doing my sworn duty, though I’d never turn down a handshake. Especially if it was accompanied by a beer.”

“You’re on!”

Rebecca’s head swam at the fast connection Cassidy and Hunter seemed to have. It was, as Cassidy would say, awesome! What a relief! “I don’t mean to interrupt the bromance here, but did you need something, Hunter?”

Cass guffawed, and Hunter snorted, each of them spewing out the word “bromance” with mirth.

“Nah, it’ll keep.”

“No, no.” Cass patted Rebecca’s ass, getting her to let her up. “I’ll let you two talk. Besides, how can you gush about me if I’m sitting here?”

Rebecca and Hunter both laughed heartily. “Get out of here, you nut.”

Cass kissed her. “I’ll be painting. Come get me when you’re done.” She jogged out of the room.

“She sounds great,” Hunter said quietly.

Rebecca was still staring at the door Cassidy disappeared through. “She is.” She cleared her throat and picked up the phone, turning off speaker.

“How long have you been together?”

“Shouldn’t we be talking about why you called?” Rebecca asked. It’s not that she didn’t want to talk about Cassidy. She could do that all day. But she didn’t want to be selfish.

“In a minute. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your girlfriend by not gushing about her,” Hunter answered playfully.

“I think you two are going to get along just fine.”

“I’m sure we will. Anyone who makes you as happy as you sound is good with me.”

“I am happy, Hunter.” Finally. “It’s been a little more than three weeks. At times, it feels much longer. There’s this comfort and familiarity there. To have that along with the excitement she brings me every day is a gift.”