check on my cats, though.
Justifier , my heart accuses.
Chapter Eight
Later that evening, after I get the cats squared away and spend a couple of hours catching up on TV episodes in my Internet queue, Naomi calls me.
“Hey, what’s up?” Naomi says when I pick up.
“Just catching up on TV.”
“Sounds fascinating.” Her voice indicates she is rolling her eyes. “So you doing OK?”
“Am I finally pathetic enough you have to regularly check in on me?” I tease, but I am glad to know that she cares. I don’t have too many people who do. Or maybe it’s just that I don’t let many people care.
“You’ve always been pathetic, my dear Chloe. No checking in on needed for that.”
“Ha-ha.”
“But really, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Just fine? Because you have the I’m-hiding-from-making-some-sort-of-decision voice.”
“Why do you know me so well?”
“I’m magic…So what’s up this time? Thinking of giving Mr. Jaguar-man another shot?”
“Uh, it’s kind of late for that.”
“No forgiveness?” She sounds surprised, then after a pause she’s back to her I-know-you’re-hiding-something voice. “Oh wait, something happened. You better spill right now or I’m coming over there.”
“I may have gone back out to make contact with the dogs and run into a certain someone.”
“Run into?” I picture Naomi raising an eyebrow like Jorge does when he uses that questioning tone.
“OK, maybe it was more like I was met at my car by a certain someone who may have apologized for his previous night’s behavior. And then that certain someone might have kissed me—”
Naomi squeals with delight. “I like this story so far.”
“Well, there’s more. I may not have gotten home until a few hours ago.”
“Ooh, the plot thickens. Please tell me this story involves hot, sweaty sex.” Her shamelessness is one of the many reasons I love her.
“You’re in luck there. It does. Twice. With breakfast, lunch, and scotch mixed in.”
“Please tell me you didn’t cook.” Naomi groans.
“I didn’t cook. At all.” We both laugh. “And we only argued a little.”
Naomi leaves a pregnant pause before she blows out her breath. “Wow, Chlo, this is serious, isn’t it?”
There’s a quiver in my voice. “Yeah. It is. And I’m freaking out even while I’m excited. It feels so right, but I barely know him.”
“And you’ve already slept with him twice, you ho. But seriously, this is a good thing, right?”
“Yes, I think so. I’m just so scared.”
“Of course it’s scary. All the important stuff is. But you can’t let that stop you.”
I’m glad she knows just what to say to make me feel ashamed of giving in to cowardice. “Yeah, all that better to have loved and lost stuff.” I sigh.
“Who says you’re going to lose? I’m betting on you.”
Her confidence in me tips the scale for the side of hope. “You’re right. No one.”
“You deserve to be loved.” She lightens her tone. “When do I get to meet this future husband of my best friend?”
“Soon. I’ll have to talk to Jorge to see where he stands on the whole thing.”
“I’m pretty sure you can get him wherever you want. He’s a guy, and this early in a relationship he’ll be thinking with his genitalia.” Her certainty makes me laugh. Then she’s back to being dead serious. “Don’t be afraid to let go, Chloe. I’ll be here if you fall, but I’ve got a feeling you won’t.”
“Thanks.” I almost believe she could pull me through the heartache. Here’s hoping she doesn’t have to.
“I’m glad things are looking up for you, kiddo. Now tell me about this man.”
“Oh, where to begin.” I start to describe his looks, his mercurial nature, his expertise at stealth and other things.
“Damn, girl. The sexual prowess alone makes him worth keeping. You sure he’s not a player?”
“I don’t think so. He doesn’t trust people much, what with the shape-shifting. Not
Justifier , my heart accuses.
Chapter Eight
Later that evening, after I get the cats squared away and spend a couple of hours catching up on TV episodes in my Internet queue, Naomi calls me.
“Hey, what’s up?” Naomi says when I pick up.
“Just catching up on TV.”
“Sounds fascinating.” Her voice indicates she is rolling her eyes. “So you doing OK?”
“Am I finally pathetic enough you have to regularly check in on me?” I tease, but I am glad to know that she cares. I don’t have too many people who do. Or maybe it’s just that I don’t let many people care.
“You’ve always been pathetic, my dear Chloe. No checking in on needed for that.”
“Ha-ha.”
“But really, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Just fine? Because you have the I’m-hiding-from-making-some-sort-of-decision voice.”
“Why do you know me so well?”
“I’m magic…So what’s up this time? Thinking of giving Mr. Jaguar-man another shot?”
“Uh, it’s kind of late for that.”
“No forgiveness?” She sounds surprised, then after a pause she’s back to her I-know-you’re-hiding-something voice. “Oh wait, something happened. You better spill right now or I’m coming over there.”
“I may have gone back out to make contact with the dogs and run into a certain someone.”
“Run into?” I picture Naomi raising an eyebrow like Jorge does when he uses that questioning tone.
“OK, maybe it was more like I was met at my car by a certain someone who may have apologized for his previous night’s behavior. And then that certain someone might have kissed me—”
Naomi squeals with delight. “I like this story so far.”
“Well, there’s more. I may not have gotten home until a few hours ago.”
“Ooh, the plot thickens. Please tell me this story involves hot, sweaty sex.” Her shamelessness is one of the many reasons I love her.
“You’re in luck there. It does. Twice. With breakfast, lunch, and scotch mixed in.”
“Please tell me you didn’t cook.” Naomi groans.
“I didn’t cook. At all.” We both laugh. “And we only argued a little.”
Naomi leaves a pregnant pause before she blows out her breath. “Wow, Chlo, this is serious, isn’t it?”
There’s a quiver in my voice. “Yeah. It is. And I’m freaking out even while I’m excited. It feels so right, but I barely know him.”
“And you’ve already slept with him twice, you ho. But seriously, this is a good thing, right?”
“Yes, I think so. I’m just so scared.”
“Of course it’s scary. All the important stuff is. But you can’t let that stop you.”
I’m glad she knows just what to say to make me feel ashamed of giving in to cowardice. “Yeah, all that better to have loved and lost stuff.” I sigh.
“Who says you’re going to lose? I’m betting on you.”
Her confidence in me tips the scale for the side of hope. “You’re right. No one.”
“You deserve to be loved.” She lightens her tone. “When do I get to meet this future husband of my best friend?”
“Soon. I’ll have to talk to Jorge to see where he stands on the whole thing.”
“I’m pretty sure you can get him wherever you want. He’s a guy, and this early in a relationship he’ll be thinking with his genitalia.” Her certainty makes me laugh. Then she’s back to being dead serious. “Don’t be afraid to let go, Chloe. I’ll be here if you fall, but I’ve got a feeling you won’t.”
“Thanks.” I almost believe she could pull me through the heartache. Here’s hoping she doesn’t have to.
“I’m glad things are looking up for you, kiddo. Now tell me about this man.”
“Oh, where to begin.” I start to describe his looks, his mercurial nature, his expertise at stealth and other things.
“Damn, girl. The sexual prowess alone makes him worth keeping. You sure he’s not a player?”
“I don’t think so. He doesn’t trust people much, what with the shape-shifting. Not
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