Page 4 (1/2)

"Ours could wait," Yvette said "But now I’ in the air," Vanity said "Stack’s sister is expecting, too"

Denver cocked a brow at Cherry, but she hurriedly said, "No Nota wife for a while"

Vanity saluted her "Hear, hear"

For the next hour everyone chatted and laughed, discussing everything from names to nursery furniture to a baby shower The food Yvette had set out got devoured in record time and overall, the h time for Cannon and Yvette to know she was thrilled with their news, Merissa decided to slip away Or at least, she tried to Ar obvious to others She, of course, was acutely aware of his nearness If he looked at her, she felt it like a warainst her, it hit her like a jolt Maybe he could take it, but she couldn’t

For the sake of her own pride, she needed away froed her brother and Yvette goodbye, Armie was there She pulled on her coat and bu to button up, intent only on escape, Merissa darted outside

Finally alone, she paused aair stung her nose and a chilling wind cut through her She closed her coat and turned up the collar

She’d just taken a deep breath when the door opened again and Armie stepped out

The porch light illulow In nothing but his T-shirt, shoulders up against the cold, Ar?"

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans "I wanted to talk a second"

No and no She didn’t want to talk She already knehat he’d say anyway "Not necessary" She turned and headed to her car, and daht on her heels At the curb she spun to face him "Armie!"

One side of his mouth curled "Rissy"

She threw up her hands in an expression of frustration

He rubbed one eye, the back of his neck Dropping his hands, he stared at her "That kiss?"

Shocked, all the air dragged froo," he clarified, as if she didn’t remember, as if it didn’t replay in her le day "In Rowdy’s bar?"

"Right I reet

She’d tried hitting on Leese, just to shake off her uy and he’d let her down easy, whileit clear he’d be on board except he knew her heart was elsewhere Since then, she and Leese had become even closer friends

"What about that kiss?"

For the longest time Armie stared at her, then he stepped closer and breathed, "Hottest fucking thing I’ve ever felt"

Oh God She couldn’t hear this She couldn’t feed the hope

"I’ht with you"

Her heart punched "Okay"

"There’s not a thing in this universe I’d enjoyhim say it made her body react