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After the texting with Tor a few weeks ago, my dreamer mind had fabricated a scenario where Tor and I are happily dating and my father, all our friends, and family accepted us as a couple. This conversation is a major bitchslap back into the reality that the chances of that ever happening are nearly impossible, no matter how much we might be wishing for it.

“Hot damn,” Chloe says. “I’d love to be the cheese in that sandwich.” Rayne and I follow her gaze across my back yard to where Tor is talking with Sailor and Finn. We’re sitting in chairs by the pool, catching up since I just got back from Maine. There’s more people at the bonfire tonight since my father announced it was also to celebrate my birthday, which I really didn’t want as I don’t like being any sort of nucleus of attention.

“Seriously.” Rayne agrees. “I don’t know who’s hotter. But it’s basically a club sandwich since there’s three of them. Let’s do marry/fuck/kiss and figure it out.”

“Ooh I love that!” Chloe squeals. “I’ll go first.” She narrows her eyes at the guys as her brain works them over. “I’d marry Sailor, fuck the hell out of Tor, and kiss Finn. And if Tanner was here, he’d be my alternate fuck. I can’t get enough of him.”

I almost choke on my soda at her words about Tor. He’s mine. I fight the urge to jump out of my chair and claw her eyes out.

Rayne sits up straighter as she takes her turn analyzing the trio of men. “I’m going to have to marry Tor, fuck Finn, and kiss Sailor. And since we’re adding alternates, I’d totally marry Tristan. That boy is so sexy and adorable. I could just eat him up.” They turn to me. “Okay, Kenz. Your turn.”

Of course now that it’s my turn, Tor is walking over towards us with his sexy swagger, drink in hand, his muscular chest stretching the thin white t-shirt he’s wearing.

“Why do you ladies look like you’re up to no good?” He asks with a grin when he reaches us.

Chloe bats her eyelashes at him. “We’re doing marry/fuck/kiss with you, Sailor and Finn with your brothers as alternates.”

Tor lets out a chuckle. “Is that right?”

“Yeah, but Kenzi hasn’t picked yet,” Chloe adds. “You should know, I didn’t pick you to kiss or marry, Tor. So you do the math. But Rayne picked you to marry.”

Tor does a mock bow to Rayne. “Thank you, Rayne, for not treating me like a piece of meat. And Chloe, I don’t think you could handle this.” He winks at her and takes a sip of his soda.

“I’m up for the challenge,” Chloe teases back, and I can feel myself burning up with jealousy over her blatant flirting. I don’t want her or anyone else handling him.

“Well?” Chloe urges, poking my arm. “You didn’t pick, Kenzi. You’re the birthday girl, so you can have two alternates.”

“I think I’ll pass.” I answer, glancing up at Tor. “I’m going to go get something to eat.”

Rising, I walk across the yard to the deck to make myself a salad. I know Chloe is just playing around but it really struck a little green nerve in me. The mere thought of Toren having sex with another woman or marrying someone makes my heart hurt.

My phone vibrates in my pocket so I pull it out while I’m standing next to the table of assorted salads.

Tor: I want to know your answers

I look up and do a quick scan of the yard to find him sitting by himself next to a Tiki torch, his eyes on me. My heart beats skip under his gaze.

Me: You’re my pick for everything.

Tor: You would be mine, too.

Me: I think Chloe has a thing for you :/

Tor: Who’s Chloe?

I smile at my phone and then sneak a peek back at him. He flashes me a devious smile and waves.

Shaking my head, I take my plate over to the gazebo, where my dad is singing and Sailor is playing guitar. My dad’s younger brother, Mikah, is playing percussion on small conga drums behind them, which I love the sound of. I sit in a nearby lawn chair and eat my salad as I listen to their unplugged version of an old love song.

“I used to be a musician too, ya know. If that’s what you’re into.” He suddenly whispers in my ear, dragging the nearest empty chair over next to mine.

“Once a musician, always a musician,” I retort. “It’s in your blood. And I’m not into musicians. I’m into someone who can make me feel.”

He plucks a cucumber slice out of my salad and chews it slowly. “Feel what, exactly?”

I shrug. “Everything. I want to experience everything and feel everything.”

“Everything is a dangerous path, Angel.”

“Not if it’s with the right person.”