Page 145 of Heart Over Heels

I’d been a professional whore, escort, companion—whatever term suited the person paying. But when it came to love, I was a novice. Beck and I were both taking risks that couldn’t be calculated and learning that comfort and happiness were currencies in their own right. With that came accepting that yes, some things truly were priceless.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

I turned to leave, heart still thundering, but Beck’s voice followed me.

“Don’t forget to tell soldier boy he’s on the door tonight.”

I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my mouth. It wasn’t exactly a formal rehire, but Mercer hadn’t been formally fired either.

“He’ll be there,” I replied.

“That meanshe’son the door, Darby,” Beck said. “Not you. Try to keep the workplace fraternization to a minimum.”

My smile became saccharine, and I bobbed my head. “Of course, Becky. I’ll stay off Mercy’s knob as long as Zephyr stays out from under your desk.”

Beck groaned, and I took that as my cue to see myself out.

Descending the steps to the ground level wasn’t quite the victory lap it should’ve been. My knees were knocking, and my emotions were a strange cocktail of disbelief, delight, and something so buoyant it felt like it could float me straight out of the building. By the time I reached the front door, I was weightless.

Sunlight blinded me as I shoved out into the parking lot. It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon, and Mercer and I had plans at the VFW Post. It turned out that Bingo was only one of their regularly scheduled activities. There were also trivia nights, bake sales, and today, a BBQ cookoff.

I’d dressed for the occasion in an exceptionally casual romper and wedge heels that made me look like I was strolling into my own personal summer montage. Mercer had donned a blue polo and the khaki shorts that were making more frequent appearances lately. He wasn’t hiding anymore and neither was I. No poodle wig. No Luxe. Just me, my horns, and my tail swinging happily behind me.

I trotted across the lot to where he waited beside his bike and slid effortlessly into his space like it had always been mine. Mercer opened one arm in silent invitation and tucked me against his side.

“How’d it go?” he asked.

Glancing back toward the club entrance, I admitted in a low voice, “He knows about the oils.”

Mercer snorted. “And the pan you ruined using them?”

Considering the next charge on Beck’s Amazon account had been the replacement cookware set I’d ordered…

I nodded. “Safe to assume he knows about that too.”

“What about the rest of it?”

A warm feeling curled around my heart—satisfaction with a touch of pride. “We’re good.”

“Good?” He leaned back enough to search my face.

I held his gaze, let him see it, then nodded once. “Good.” Pushing up onto my toes, I pressed a kiss to the rough line of his jaw. Then, recalling the end of my very successful conversation with my boss, I asked, “You don’t happen to have another job lined up, do you?”

Mercer’s face twisted in befuddlement. “You know, I haven’t had much time to look.”

“Well don’t,” I said. “Because you’re back on staff.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Really,” I confirmed. “As in, you arereallyoverqualified to bounce handsy strip-club patrons, but please don’t turn me down because wereallyneed the help.”

A smile pulled at his lips. “You’ve got it. For as long as you need me.”

I was still smug and satisfied by everything about today as I brushed my hands down my romper and stepped toward the Victory. I swung my leg halfway over then stopped and looked back at Mercer. “You ready?”

“Yeah.” He reached into the pocket of his shorts. “But I want to give you something first.”

My tail gave an excited flick as I settled onto the ground. “A present? What for?”