Devon
Later that evening, I’m well and truly deflated. There’s a knock on my door, and I open it to find Harley hovering in the corridor, wearing an expression that’s one part hesitation and two parts stubbornness. With her hair in a high ponytail, exposing sharp cheekbones and a strong chin, she’s absolutely gorgeous, and longing fills my heart—longing to grab her and kiss her.
“I heard that you couldn’t find a corner for Nightshade.”
“Not yet,” I reply, unsure where this conversation is heading.
She pulls at the end of her ponytail the way I’ve noticed she does when she’s anxious. Need clenches in my gut. Even though we were together last night, it’s feels like eons since I touched her. Slowly, I extend a hand and brush my knuckles over her cheek. Her eyes flutter shut and she leans into the caress for a brief moment, but then she’s back to business.
“I’ll do it.”
My pulse ratchets up, hammering so loudly in my ears that I struggle to believe what she’s just said. She’s willing to do that for me? She must know that it would put even more stress on her relationship with her brother. Does it make me a bad person that joy fizzes through my body, bubbling up in the vicinity of my heart, at the evidence of how much she cares for me?
“Are you sure?” I ask. “I mean, that would be amazing, but what about Seth?”
She shakes her head, the tips of her ponytail brushing her shoulders. “Don’t worry about him. It’ll work out. You’re making a huge sacrifice for me, and I couldn’t live with myself if you lost the fight when I’m capable of helping. I’ve got your back, Dev.”
Taking her hands, I step closer, aligning my body with hers. Her warmth permeates the sliver of air between us, tempting me to close the space. “You’re amazing. Thank you.”
She blinks, then shakes her head as though trying to clear it. “I’m going to get you back in with Seth too.”
My brow furrows. “If it happens, it happens. Don’t worry about it too much.”
Her jaw drops. “But—”
I cut her off. “No buts. I’d rather have you than membership at one particular gym.”
Her expression crumples, and then she’s kissing me. Our lips collide and I smash that space between us to smithereens. Heat curls through me, slow and sweet, like warm honey, but then I taste salt and pull back. Her cheeks are streaked with tears. Everything inside me stills. I yank her tight to my chest and cradle her head.
“I don’t want to be responsible for you losing your fight family,” she mutters, voice thick with emotion.
I press my lips to the top of her head. “Baby, you’re my family now. And I hope I’m yours too.” Although that doesn’t allay all of my guilt.
Gently, she disengages, then wipes her cheeks on the hem of her tank top. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” She visibly pulls herself together. “How about we get through the next few weeks and figure out what comes next after Nightshade?”
“Sounds perfect.” I intend to have her in my arms every night. “One other thing: no more secrets. From each other, or anyone else. Deal?”
“Deal.”
I grin. “So, want to come to dinner with my parents this week?”
She huffs a laugh. “Go big or go home, right?”
Devon
We’re due at my parent’s place soon and I’ve spent the past twenty minutes trying to soothe Harley, who’s quietly freaking out. After her bravado a few days ago, she seems to have grown steadily more anxious.
“It’s not that big of a big deal,” I assure her. “They’ll love you.” Okay, it kinda is a big deal. I’ve never brought a girl home for dinner. But laying that out there isn’t going to make her feel better.
“Meeting the parents is always a big deal.” Her tone makes it clear this ought to be obvious, and I can’t help but wonder how many parents she’s met in her time. I assume she didn’t get to that stage with her ex-coach because surely she would have mentioned it, but how many boys came before? Was she a heartbreaker during high school? God, I wish I knew. I’m hungry for information about her. “What if I say the wrong thing? I sometimes blurt stupid stuff when I’m nervous.”
“You’ll be okay.” I smooth my hands down her arms and smile reassuringly. “My dad is super chill.”
She cocks a brow. “And your mom?”
“Less chill,” I admit. My arms encircle her waist, holding her close. I can’t seem to go for long without touching her. As soon as we’re alone, I’m all over her. She doesn’t seem to mind. Although she’s not the gushy type, she likes physical contact and being close to me.
“Hmm.”
My lips drift over her neck and she angles her head to give me better access, then I lift her off my lap and set her on her feet. “Time to go.”
“Hang on,” she says. “I need to change my outfit.”
I snort. “You’ll be fine. Mom is gonna love you.”
Harley could turn up in a sack and Mom would throw a party. It’s the first time I’ve come close to living life the way she’d like me to.
“No.” She digs in her heels. “At least let me put on lip gloss and a different shirt.”
I wait while she strides to my room, where she’s taken to storing some of her belongings, and returns a few moments later in a white blouse with a pink sheen over her lips.
She gives me a thumbs up. “Good to go.”
“Great.” I sling a jacket over my arm and escort her to the door, locking it behind us.
Soon after, we arrive at my parents’ place.
“Are you sure I won’t be intruding?” Harley asks as I knock, gnawing on her lower lip.
I ease my thumb across her mouth, forcing her to stop abusing the soft skin. “I’m certain.” Holding a hand up, I add, “And before you mention it, Mom will have plenty of food. She cooks enough to feed an army.” I’ve given her the heads up that I’ll be bringing a friend, but didn’t say who because I want the pleasure of seeing the shock and joy on her face when she realizes I’ve finally brought a woman home.
“Ah, her famous roast.”
I wink. “Exactly.”
Mom pulls the door open and stops short. Her mouth gapes, then closes. She blinks a few times. I grin. No matter what I said about being interested in someone, I doubt she actually expected it to go anywhere. Once she realizes what’s happening, she’ll be ecstatic, and it’s nice to surprise her in a good way for once.
“Mom?” I prompt. “Are you okay?”
“Better than okay.” She eyes Harley like the woman is a damn unicorn. I mean, she kinda is, but Mom doesn’t know that. “Why don’t you introduce me to your lovely friend?”
That’s more like it. I wave a hand from one of them to the other. “Mom, this is Harley Isles, my girlfriend. Harls, this is my Mom, Rochelle.”
Harley extends a hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Green.”
Mom raises trembling fingers to her lips, eyes shining with emotion and—are they tears? She needs to pull herself together before she freaks Harley out more than she already is. Then, all of a sudden, Mom seizes Harley’s hand and yanks her into a hug with a lot of force for someone the size of a pixie.
“Just look at you. You’re a blessing. The answer to my many, many prayers.” Releasing Harley—except for an iron grip on her shoulders—she steps back. “Welcome. Please, come in.”
I can see Harley having second thoughts, and the look she sends me the instant Mom turns to search for Pops is on the verge of panic.
“You have a beautiful home,” she says, nevertheless, as we enter the living area. “I hope I’m not putting you out by turning up like this.”
“Not at all!” Mom’s eyeballs threaten to pop out of her head as she whirls around wearing a smile that terrifies me. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have you here. Dev’s never brought a girl to visit us before. I’d almost given up on him.” Her expression softens. “You must be something special.”
She is. And while Harley is clearly taken aback by Mom’s enthusiastic response, it’s also obvious that Mom is growing on her. The woman drives me crazy at times, but people do seem to find her endearing.
“Very special,” I agree out loud, pleased when Harley’s cheeks flush.
“Jamal!” Mom raises her voice loud enough to be heard from the street. “Devon’s new girlfriend is here!”
A few moments later—long enough to show that he won’t be bossed around—Pops appears in the doorway, where he pauses to study Harley. He takes her measure in a few seconds.
“Nice to make your acquaintance, Miss…”
“Isles,” she replies, shaking his proffered hand firmly. “Harley Isles.”
He smiles, and it’s warm and fatherly, with none of the manic energy Mom brings to the room. “A good, solid name. Don’t let my wife scare you off, Harley. Devon is our only child, which means we can come on strong at times.”
The tension fades from around Harley’s eyes. “I don’t scare easy. I’ve been in the ring more than seventy times, and it takes a lot to get to me.”
“Oh?” He peers at her more closely. “I see the scars here”—he gestures to her forehead—“and here”—to her brows. “Is that from MMA?”
She shakes her head. “Muay thai. I’ve just returned from training in Thailand for years.”
Pops whistles. “That’s a lot of commitment.”
She nods. “Once I commit to something, I give it my all.”
Her gaze creeps toward me, but when she sees me looking, it skates away. My chest flutters. I want that. I want her to give me her all. Hopefully tonight is another step in the right direction.
“Goodness.” Mom’s hand rests over her heart. “How unique you are. I can see why Devon likes you.” She turns to Pops. “Can you escort our guest to the table? I’ll dish up the food and be there soon.”
I thread my fingers through Harley’s and squeeze her hand. “Thank you,” I murmur, low enough not to be overhead.
“For what?”
“Staying calm.”
A smirk twists her lips, too evil for my liking. “Thank me after I’ve finished digging up all the embarrassing childhood stories you never wanted anyone to hear.”