Dear Rosie, (Love Letters #2)

If I have my way, Rosie will become close with them too, but I want to let her control how much she shares.

A hand smacks the back of my head, making me hunch my shoulders.

“Fucker,” I hiss at Maddox over my shoulder.

He points at me. “You’ve got some ’splaining to do.” He keeps his voice low so as not to wake Rosie. And as much as I want to backhand him in the nuts, I appreciate the consideration.

“Later.” It’s a promise and a warning.

Maddox dips his chin, then follows his women out the door.

I feel a little bad that Tony knows more than he does since he was there when I found those letters—and saw me weeping like a baby.

But that’s the thing about Tony. He knows something fucked up happened. Offered to—I’m pretty sure—kill a guy. Then took my answer at face value. And hasn’t asked a follow-up question since.

Maddox, however, would be nothing but questions. And right now, I just want to enjoy my time with my girl.

Because I have about two weeks to convince her to stay and never leave.

ONE HUNDRED FOUR

ROSALYN

“God damn!” Nathan’s exclamation startles me into dropping my earring on the counter.

I slap one hand over my heart as I pick it back up. “Jesus, Nathan.”

“Sorry.” He whistles. “But. God. Damn.”

I watch him approach in the reflection of the bathroom mirror.

His eyes are all over the place. From my head to my feet and back again.

The reaction seems like a bit much, but I still soak it in.

My hair is pulled back into a low bun, with a few loose strands curled into waves. My face is done up in a full routine of makeup. And I’m wearing the most sparkly thing I own.

The color theme of the fundraiser is gold, so I have a gold dress on.

I bought the thing last year for a New Year’s party I was supposed to work. The event was canceled at the last minute, so I never got to wear it.

“What is this made out of?” Nathan stops right behind me, hands holding my waist, helping me balance on my good foot.

“No idea.” I try to focus on putting my—also gold—dangly earring in. “I take it you like it?”

“Like it? Woman, I want to peel it off you with my teeth.”

I smile. “That will have to wait until after.”

Earrings secured, I run my hands down the front of the dress.

It’s sleeveless with a V neckline. The underdress is a lighter gold that ends just above my knees. And then there’s a sheer golden layer over top, covered in gold embroidery and fake crystals.

If I was going anywhere else, I’d say it’s too fancy. But I think I can get away with it tonight.

Nathan uses his hold on me to turn me around and back me against the counter. “How am I supposed to be professional around you when you’re dressed like this?”

I run my palms up his chest, noting he looks pretty fine himself in black pants, a black and gold belt, and a partially unbuttoned white shirt. “You could solve that problem by not coming.”