sh said quietly. "But you don't

es filled him with

ash! N

volved. If I know Chessy, she was absolutely serious about calling the police. It wouldn't surprise me if she

d to stare up at the ceiling. She felt emotionally wrung out, and for the f

hen she'd bravely-or rather thought she was bravely-taking con

. She would have drifted off, despite the chaos her mind was

oth. They wouldn't have been put off by Joss's phone call simply telling

shed herself up from the couc

kissed her. She shivered as she remembered the raw desire she'd seen in his eyes. Felt the heat of his kiss.

k about. Now that she was back on her own turf, so

taring back at her. Chessy's gaze was sharp and discerning, looking over Joss as if she

r, Kylie following

shit you said about simply deciding to opt out of T

to her living room and flopped ba

essy continued. "I'll sic Tate on Dash if I have to. One way or

ly. "Did something happen last night, Jo

hat to say to those que

assured. "Honestly

that "aha" look on her face that sug

ned then?"

had any apprehensiveness, I know you, and you were bound and determined to go to The House and

ted in d

," Joss

furrowed. "But yo

" Joss corrected. "I merel

ed quietly. "What

ed. "Dash

realization sparked in her eyes. "Oh shit. Das

d her head back and forth between Joss and Ch

d answer, Chessy

here. I mean I know he's a member, but it didn't even occur to me to tell yo

ewilderment. "Dash-our Da

she and Chessy exchange

" Chessy said gen

vibrated from her, and it made Joss uneasy for what sh

't often venture outside the parameters she'd set. She had good reason to be as she was, but i

ith another man," Joss said in a

. "I don't im

to lecture me after he scraped an inch of skin off my hide

rm him differentl

t's when it got .

ssy's eyes widened. Both of her friends

er friends would know sooner or late

said

was much harder than she imagined because sh

e say?" Che

what I needed-then he was going to be th

Chessy b

more explosive. "What? I

"Has wanted me a long time. I didn't kn

. . . I thought there was something there. But then you and Carson were so happy and Dash remaine

. "He had a thing for you when

," Chessy gently chided. "You can'

told me that Carson knew and that

ce. "But I'm worried about this. You and him. I never imagined Dash to be that kind of person. I worry that he

son? What's that supposed to mean? Tate's that

lately she's making a lot of impulsive decisions, and I don't want her to get hurt. And I worry about

f those things," she snapped out. "I've taken into account how it w

a breath bef

traying my dead husband for even considering this. I would have never been unfaithful to Carson, even if I'd known that Dash had

. Chessy leaned farther forwar

ing risks. If this is something you want to go for, you at least need to try. It's worse to live with

d it would devastate me to ever lose Dash's friendship. It would devasta

es go watery, and damn it, enough with the tears. It was time to mo

. If you knew back when you and Carson got married that you'd only have a few short years with him, if you knew he'd die, woul

ore. Without even thinking about

t change a thing, even knowing I'd lose him. Because what time we did have together

t if you find love again? What if you have one wonderful year with him, and he gives you what you need and then you split up? Wouldn't you rather have that year and not li

, Joss. Even if it's not with Carson. I'll support you no matter what ha

I'd do without such wonderful friends-sisters. You've both given me a

phone call away. And I also want you to know, that no matter what, I love you. Ta

n't want to cause a rift between her friends. She did

fiercely. Joss returned the hug and then p

nd if you ever need to talk, just pick up t

again for caring about me. I'm not going to do anyth

want you to be happy. I know that Carson would want you to be happy. It takes a pretty special guy to remai

idewalk to where they were parked out front. She stood there as they d

of what she was doing until she neared the gates leading inside. She braked and came t

sh and ask Carson's blessing. When she'd sworn she was m

to execute a U-turn and then drove away, aiming

mb on her. He should have kept her here with him, within touching distance. Not given her tim