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“I just want you.”

This felt like a core memory, the afternoon sun turning his brown hair a dark gold. He stared at me like I was the only other person here on the street despite the evidence to the contrary, waiting, I quickly realised. For me to say the same thing back, to acknowledge what he was offering.

My throat worked, ready to say it, say something, but the sounds didn’t come, just a strangled whine. The ineffectual noise had me stepping forward. Towards him, that’s what my heart told me, everything would get better if I walked towards him rather than ran away. But when all you were used to doing was running, taking that first step was freaking terrifying.

My heart pounded as my feet shuffled forward, but moving once helped build some momentum. His brows shot up and hope filled his eyes as I moved closer and closer, his arms going wide when mine shot out. Brock held me again, but it was different. Rather than grabbing me and hugging me into submission, I… chose this. I chose him. That had my eyes closing and my fingers digging into his sides.

“I want you too,” I croaked out finally, the words sounding manifestly inadequate but I heard him suck in a breath.

“That’s all I needed to hear. Now, let's get you back somewhere you feel safe.”

Chapter 52

Brock

No one was going to convince me this was a good idea, not even my dickhead brother.

“Down here.” Hunter waved us ahead as we walked up to a very austere looking building. Situated down a confined alleyway, the storefront was painted in all grey, a single man’s suit on a mannequin all that was shown in the narrow window. He bent at the waist, performing some elaborate bow as he directed our attention to the door. “Sartorial elegance awaits.”

“Sartorial elegance?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Did you get one of those word-of-the-day calendars again?”

“You’re just jealous that I know how to act fancy.”

My grip on Jamie’s hand tightened and she looked up at me.

“Do you need fancy?” I asked Jamie.

Her little smile was everything. Never would I have anticipated thanking Majorie for anything, but I did right now. Pissing off my girl, putting her in a dress she didn’t choose, it somehow brought us closer. I rubbed my thumb across Jamie’s knuckles as she answered.

“Fancy?” She turned and ran her free hand down the lapel of my flannel shirt. “Nope.” I was enjoying her touch too much to focus on what came next. “I do, however, need something to wear to the engagement party.”

“Does this tailor make suits out of plaid flannelette?” Hayden asked, eyeing the two of us a little too intently.

“Wash your mouth out,” Hunter replied. “We are not wearing freaking plaid suits.”

“Jamie seems to like it a whole lot.” Hayden shrugged.

“It’s all soft and pettable.” My girl looked up at me with a wink. “And Brock’s really not underneath it.”

“Oh, you can pet me all you like.”

Jamie’s smile widened, and that moment of connection seemed to stretch out, only to be interrupted rudely.

“Gag!” We spun around at a strident female voice to see Millie walking up the alleyway toting a bottle of rum and some shopping bags stuffed with food. “I know I said it was cool to date my bestie, but I didn’t realise you’d get all gross and flirty with her.”

“If you knew just how ‘flirty’ we’d gotten…” I shot back, but Jamie pulled away from me before I could tighten my hold on her hand.

“Bitch!” Jamie threw her arms around my sister. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“My brothers getting fitted for monkey suits and then fighting it out in custom-tailored attire to see who wins by bestie’s hand? Of course I was gonna come.” Millie thrust her hand forward. “I brought snacks!”

“I said you could come and hang out,” Hunter said between gritted teeth.

“And that always involves rum and nibbles.” Millie hooked her arm through Jamie’s and they marched up to the door. “So this place?”

They swung in through the door and then up the steps.

“You invited Millie to come by to our suit fittings?” I asked Hunter.