Page 82 of Talk Wicked to Me

“I figured now that you and Emerson are together, you’d stick around.”

“And leave the organization that’s counting on me high and dry? When have you ever known me to do that?”

She looked at him a little sorrowfully. “We’re treading in uncharted territory. When in the last decade have you ever gotten close to a woman?”

“Fair point.”

“But you aren’t just falling for a woman. You’re falling for ten tiny fingers and toes, too.”

He didn’t even try to deny that he was falling for them. The truth felt too good. It had been a week and a half since he and Emerson had first made love, and their relationship just kept getting better. They’d spent most nights exploring each other’s bodies, and he enjoyed the nights they lay talking, or just holding each other, just as much as those intimate nights. They’d gone to the drive-in theater last weekend with Brennan and had shared their memories of being there as kids. Their relationship was pretty fucking perfect.

“I am crazy about her, but I’m sorry, Eves. I didn’t mean to put our friendship on the back burner.” He leaned his ass against the desk and shook his head.

“Neither did I, but it was bound to happen to us at some point.” She leaned against the desk beside him. “You couldn’t just fall for a woman who liked to hang out at the Hog and make fun of you with me, could you?”

“You do enough poking fun all on your own. Brennan is too young to leave for long, but soon enough we’ll be at the Hog with y’all.”

“We. That sounds good coming from you.”

“It feels good. How about you, Eves?” He draped an arm over her shoulder. “You couldn’t find a guy I didn’t have to rely on to take care of my clients?”

“I blame you for bringing him into the office in the first place. There was a spark the first time we set eyes on each other. Like with you and Emerson, and don’t even try to deny that it was like that for you two. I told you I saw the way you looked at her.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy for you, too, Eves.” He put his arm around her. “You know I need to talk to Quinton.”

“I know.”

“And lay down some rules.”

She winced. “If you say no sex in the exam rooms, we might have already broken that one.”

“What?” he snapped.

“I’m kidding!” She laughed. “But you should see your face.”

“It’s a good thing I love you.” He pulled her into a hug.

“I miss my bestie.” She hugged him tighter.

“I miss you, too.”

“No, you don’t.” She moved beside him again. “You have a new bestie.”

He thought about that. Emerson had become his person, too. She was the one he wanted to share his hopes and dreams with, the one he wanted to give everything she’d ever hoped for and more. But Evie would always be a different type of bestie. The person who’d always been there by his side and who he knew would be there as they moved forward with their new partners. “She can’t replace you. She’s not you, Eves.”

“Obviously. I have better taste than her.”

“Watch it.” He laughed, crushing her against his side. “Can’t a guy have two besties?”

“Two besties and a baby? Sounds like a movie.”

There was a knock at the door, and Quinton’s voice came through the door. “Baz?”

He eyed her. “Am I sharing my bestie role, too?”