“You wanted us to be friends,” Sierra said. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“No kidding. So what’s the deal with Morgan, anyhow?”
“No deal. Just having some fun.”
Duke gave Sierra a quick glance. “And that’s all it is? Fun and games?”
“For now.”
Sierra rarely lied to herself—or to him. This thing with Morgan was already way more than fun and games. It had taken a hard turn toward serious, and she wanted more than anything to ask them how she should handle that.
“Did you know, MK, that when Sierra is lying, she gets a tiny wrinkle right down the center of those perfect eyebrows of hers?”
“Does she?” McKenzie asked.
“She sure does.”
Sierra stared at him, astounded. “I’m not lying!”
“Yes, you are, and there’s no point in denying it. The question is, why do you feel the need to lie to your best friends about something so important?”
“I don’t. I’m not. I’m…”
Duke cut the power on the machine he was using and sat back to get a better look at her. “Talk to me.”
“And to me,” McKenzie said.
Oh shit. Was she going to cry? Absolutely not! That couldn’t happen.
McKenzie reached for her, hugged her tightly and wouldn’t let go. “Whatever it is, we’re here for you. We want to help.”
“It’s so stupid.”
“Nah, don’t do that,” Duke said. “I’ve never once seen you get emotional over a guy, so it’s gotta be something big.”
“That’s just it. I’m afraid it could be something big, and I guess I’m not quite sure what to make of that.”
McKenzie released her.
Duke handed her a tissue.
“What can we do?” McKenzie asked.
“I have no idea why I’m even upset. I should be elated. This is what I’ve been waiting for, so why am I a wreck?” Embarrassed by the emotional outburst, Sierra wiped the tears from her face. “I feel foolish.”
“You’re not,” McKenzie said. “You’re scared because you recognize the significance of what’s happening with Morgan. If you ask me, you’d be crazy not to be a bit freaked out. I was the same way when things with Duke took a turn for the serious. I mean, here I was, alone and homeless on an island with a baby and a flattened house, and along comes this absolute cinnamon bun of a guy?—”
“A what?” Duke asked with a scowl.
McKenzie patted his chest. “Trust me. That’s a good thing. But I was in no way prepared for what he very quickly became to me and Jax. There’s absolutely nothing you can do to adequately prepare yourself for meeting the one.”
“She’s right,” Duke said with a warm smile for his fiancée. “It was the same for me. Incredibly overwhelming in every possible way, but also… so incredibly thrilling. Best thing to ever happen to me, hands down.”
McKenzie leaned into him and then winced when her freshly tattooed skin protested. “Me, too. Best thing ever. This tattoo, on the other hand… The jury is still out.”
Sierra laughed at the face she made. “You’re going to love it in the end. I’m sure of it.”
“I am, too, or he never would’ve gotten near me with his needles.”
