OH SHIT. SHIT. Shit. Shit. Talia’s cheeks burned. Her gut roiled with guilt.
“Uh-oh.” Aurelia’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know Derek was a stripper? I’m sorry, but he dances at Decadence, a bar in Harmony Pointe.”
“He’s not a stripper!” Talia turned on her heels and stormed toward the dressing room, trying to outrun the confrontation. They followed her, all talking at once, but she was too upset to hear a single word.
“Talia!” Piper snapped harshly, jerking Talia out of her own head. “If he’s been lying to you, I’m going to kick his hot ass.”
Oh God, what had she done? She blew through the curtain of her dressing room, and they all piled in with her.
“I thought he was a bartender,” her mother said.
“Fricking liar,” Willow said. “Ben and Zane will kill him.”
“He didn’t seem like a liar,” Bridgette said.
Talia was on the verge of tears as she struggled to get out of her hideous dress. “He’s not a liar!”
“So, he is a stripper?” her mother asked, reaching for Talia’s zipper. “Let me, honey.”
Talia swatted her hand away, too upset to be touched.
“Well, someone’s lying.” Piper crossed her arms, glaring at Aurelia. “Are you sure you saw Derek dancing? I knew I should have done some recon on this guy.”
“Jesus! Shut up a second.” Talia huffed out a shaky breath. “He’s a male dancer, not a stripper, and it’s just a job. It’s not who he is.”
The dressing room went dead silent.
“Is everything okay in there?” the saleswoman asked.
“Yes!” they all snapped.
Talia covered her face, mortified.
“We just need a few minutes,” her mother said to the saleswoman.
No one said a word until they heard the woman walk away.
Talia yanked at her zipper until it gave, and then she peeled off the dress. “He’s a dancer and a bartender,” she said in a harsh whisper. “Yes, I knew, and yes, I am totally fine with it.”
“Well, fuck.” Piper tried to pace and bumped into everyone. “Damn it.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Willow asked. “We tell you everything.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m still wrapping my head around Talia dating him,” Aurelia said. “I didn’t mean to out your secret, but . . . wow, Talia.”
“It’s not a secret,” Talia insisted, shrinking against the glares of her sisters.
“You didn’t tell us,” Bridgette gently reminded her. “Don’t you trust us?”
“I told you he worked at a bar.” Talia pulled on her jeans. “It’s not exactly something you just bring up out of the blue.” She pulled her sweater over her head and said, “Do you think I wanted Piper running down to the bar and checking him out?”
“Why not?” Piper said angrily. “Every other chick probably is. Jesus, Talia. Are you embarrassed by his job? Because I know you’re not embarrassed by his body.”
“No!” She threw her arms up in the air. “It’s not like I’ve been in this position before. It’s new and different and scary as anything.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “What was I supposed to do, say, ‘Hey, guess what? My boyfriend takes his clothes off for money’?” She threw her head back and closed her eyes, trying to stop the flow of tears. “I’m not embarrassed by what he does, and I’m definitely not embarrassed by him. He’s the best man I have ever known.”
“Then what the hell?” Piper demanded.
“Piper, hush!” Their mother touched Talia’s arm and said, “Take a deep breath, baby.”
Talia inhaled deeply, thankful for the momentary reprieve.
“Now, sweetheart, tell me why you didn’t trust us with this information,” her mother urged.
Sobs tumbled from Talia’s lips. “God . . .”
“Honey, your sister ran off and married a musician,” her mother said with a serious expression. “Piper streaked down the middle of Main Street when she was fifteen—”
“You did?” the girls asked at once.
“On a dare,” Piper explained. “But I didn’t know Mom knew about it.”
“There’s very little a mother doesn’t know about her children’s lives,” her mother said.
“Except dating a stripper, apparently,” Piper said under her breath.
Their mother glowered at her, then turned a softer expression to Talia. “Sweetheart, don’t you know that we will love whomever you love? It wouldn’t matter what they did for a living, as long as they weren’t hurting someone else or doing something illegal. Derek’s under a lot of pressure. He has time constraints and big dreams. I know it’s hard and scary for you, and maybe we would have freaked out a little at first. But we know him now, and more importantly, you know him. And you’re with him. That’s enough for us.”
Her mother’s words should have eased her worries, but they also drove her guilt deeper.
“Now, I may be old,” their mother said, “but please tell me the difference between stripping and dancing.”
“About six inches of strategically placed material,” Piper offered.
Talia glared at her. She inhaled several ragged breaths, trying to calm herself down. “He doesn’t strip naked, just to a G-string,” she said pathetically, as if there were much of a difference.
“And you’re okay with this?” Bridgette asked carefully.
Talia looked at her sister, wearing a gorgeous wedding dress, pregnant with a new baby, and her heart ached. “Yes, I’m okay with it, and I’m sorry, Bridgette. I didn’t mean to ruin your excitement over your pregnancy.”
“You didn’t,” Aurelia said. “I did.”
“No,” Talia said. “I did. I should have found a way to tell everyone, but at first I had to come to grips with it myself. And then, every time I wanted to tell you guys, Piper would joke about him, or I’d worry about what you’d think. I’m sorry, but I’ve never loved anyone this much, and that’s just it.” She was breathing hard, shaking, and she didn’t care. “I love him. I love him to the very depths of my soul. He could do just about anything and I’d learn to be okay with it. But you guys aren’t me. You’re protective of me, which I appreciate. But I didn’t want to have to rationalize what he does for a living, because I don’t care what he does for a living. And I don’t need your approval.”
Her sisters exchanged shocked expressions.
“I’m sorry,” Talia said. “But I don’t. I want you to love him, but I don’t need you to approve of my choice. I’ve never met a man like Derek. He gave up everything, even his clothes,” she said with a laugh-cry, “to make sure his father had whatever he could possibly need now or in the future. And he’s not going to stop dancing for me, or you, or anyone else. He has a goal, and he’ll do whatever it takes until that goal is met. And I respect the hell out of him for it.”
“Whoa, Tal,” Willow said. “Nobody said we don’t like him.”
“I’ve never seen you like this,” Bridgette said. “I get it. I do. I was that way about Louie’s father. I didn’t tell anyone we were eloping until after we were married because I didn’t care what any of you thought. That sounds horrible, but that’s how much I loved him.”
“Yes!” Talia said with tears in her eyes. “That’s it. That’s exactly it. Or part of it, at least. You have to admit, it’s not even close to something I’ve ever had to explain before.”
“You’ve spent your whole life worried about what everyone else thinks,” Piper scoffed. “That’s not living, Tal. That’s hiding. I’m glad I don’t have to kick his ass for lying to you, but I kind of want to kick yours.”
Talia managed a half smile. “Please don’t. I feel like I’ve been beaten up over this already. I hated not telling you guys. But I was afraid or . . . I don’t know. I just didn’t want to deal with anything bad when my life was finally so good.”
Their mother wrapped her in her arms and said, “This is love, baby girl. It gnaws at all the things that have held you together, testing your strength and the resilience and loyalty of those around you.” She stepped back but kept ahold of Talia’s arms. “We’re family, and if you know nothing else in this life, it’s that even though we might not agree on everything, we love you no matter what. And as your parent, after years of protecting my kids, I had to step back when you became adults. I had to take a backseat and let each of you find your own way. The only thing that matters is that you and Derek trust and love each other. If you have those two things, then what anyone else thinks doesn’t matter.”
“What I think matters, because I’m usually right,” Piper said.
“Hush, Pipe,” Bridgette said as she put her arms around Talia. “Love is hard. Look at what Bodhi and I went through.” She and Bodhi had broken up when he’d gone away on a rescue mission and she hadn’t known whether he was alive or dead.
Everyone moved in for a group hug, and between Aurelia’s hoop skirt, Willow’s feathers, and Piper’s jingly skirt, they were a noisy, sniffling mess of apologies and tears.
“I have another thing to confess,” Talia said, and they all stepped back.
“Pregnant!” Piper said loudly.
“No! No, I’m not. Remember in college when I dated Terrence?”
“Of course,” Willow said.
“The asshat who cheated?” Piper said.
“Oh my gosh, you knew?” Talia was going to kill Ben.
“I guessed,” Piper said softly. “You just confirmed it.”
“He cheated?” Willow reached for Talia’s hand. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Oh, baby,” her mother said.
Talia lowered her gaze, old ghosts banging at the door. “I was embarrassed. He didn’t just cheat. I think he might have used me to help with his grades. He had another girlfriend almost the whole time.”
“That dickwad,” Piper snapped.
“He was just doing what kids do,” Talia said. “Or maybe he’s still a jerk. I don’t know or care. But I was afraid to tell you guys, because he made me feel so bad about myself. And I knew you guys were savvy enough or smart enough, or whatever, that you would never have gotten into the same situation. You would have known in your gut, but I never had that sense of self or that trust in my intuition. Until Derek.” She hadn’t even realized that last part until now.
They apologized and pep-talked, engulfing her in more hugs, until they began teasing her about wearing her awful dress onstage with Derek, and she knew her mother was right. They’d love and support her no matter what.
“I know this isn’t the best time,” Bridgette said, “but can I please go out and talk to the seamstress about getting this dress fitted? I’m truly in love with it.”
Talia felt like a great weight had been eased from her shoulders. “I’m sorry. Yes, it’s gorgeous. But, um . . . fitted? Don’t you think your belly will grow in the eight weeks?”
“And your tatas. You’ll have big ones by the time you get married.” Piper grabbed her own boobs and said, “Almost makes me want to have a kid.”
“How about getting a husband first?” Willow said as they filed out of the dressing room.
“Never mind that idea.” Piper sidled up to Talia and said, “Have fun telling Dad about Derek’s dancing.”
“Crap,” Talia grumbled as Piper went out with the others and her mother stepped beside her. “Any advice for telling Dad?”
“He’s not as straitlaced as you think. This isn’t his first rodeo.” Her mother set her phone in Talia’s hand and lowered her voice. “Do not scroll.”
Talia looked at her mother’s phone screen and quickly read the open text message from her father. You. Me. Naked. Tonight. No excuses. Your love machine. XOX.
“Ew! Mom! How can I ever look at him again without thinking about that?” Talia shoved the phone into her mother’s hand.
Her mother laughed at her discomfort. “The same way we’ll all look at Derek and try not think about six inches of strategically placed material.”
After shopping with the girls, Talia paced her living room, her stomach in knots over how and when she should tell her father and Ben about Derek’s dancing. Worse yet, she had to tell Derek that she hadn’t told them until now. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became at herself for not telling them sooner.
Her front door flew open and Piper traipsed in, wearing four-inch heels, skinny jeans, and a black leather jacket over a dark sweater. Her blond hair was pulled up in a messy bun, her eyes were heavily lined, and her lips were painted a seductive shade of red. She planted herself at the edge of the living room, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. A gallon of piss and vinegar in a pint-sized container.
“If you’re here to yell at me for not telling you about Derek,” Talia said firmly, “please don’t. I already have a stomachache over it.”
“Well, sorry about that, but I’m calling bullshit on all of it. You don’t trust me, and that sucks.”
“Piper . . .” She didn’t want to argue anymore, even though she deserved whatever shit Piper was about to give her. “I do trust you. It was my issue, not yours.”
“Yeah, maybe partly, but not totally.” Piper uncrossed her arms, and her expression softened. “You’re like the truth whisperer, and for you to have held back . . .” She stepped into the room and said, “I think I screwed you up. You always tell the truth no matter what, and I’ve been teasing you a lot about Derek. Probably too much, and it makes me sick to think that you would ever worry about me doing anything that could hurt you. You have to know I’d never in a million years make a move on your man. Not ever, Talia, and I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Tears threatened for the hundredth time that day. “I know you wouldn’t, Pipe. Besides, it wouldn’t matter what you would or wouldn’t do. I trust Derek completely. He’s surrounded by beautiful women throwing money at him and drooling over him every time he’s at work. But I know with my whole heart that I’m the only woman he wants.”
Piper shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans and sighed. “So, you don’t hate me and think I’m a slut?”
“I could never hate you, and you’re freer than I could ever be, but that doesn’t make you a slut. It’s not your fault I’ve been living practically like a nun for years.”
“Yeah, I’m so glad he broke you out of that.” Piper’s lips curved up conspiratorially. “How about that lingerie I packed for your trip? Pretty sexy, huh?”
“We . . . um . . . never got to it.”
Piper swatted her arm, her mouth agape. “You trampy vixen! What’d you do, go straight from the slopes to the ropes?” She waggled her brows.
“Piper! I’m not into that!”
“You’re missing out, sis. A little tying up can be fun.” Piper laughed and embraced her. “I love you, and I’m on your side, always. Want to hang out tonight? Aurelia couldn’t make it to Dutch’s after all. She had to meet Ben. He wanted to talk to her about buying the bookstore, but I think he just wants to get laid. Anyway, you and I could head over to Dutch’s.”
Talia still had a few hurdles of her own to get over, and now was the perfect time. “I really miss Derek. I was thinking of going to see him dance. I haven’t done it since the first night he invited me.”
“Oh my God, really?” Piper’s eyes lit up. “I love strippers!”
Talia glared at her.
“Dancers. I meant dancers.”
“Want to come with me? It’s like the ultimate test, bringing one of the sexiest girls from Sweetwater to watch my boyfriend strut around onstage half-naked. If I can handle you seeing him dance, I can handle anything.”
Piper’s grin widened. “I just so happen to have a purse full of dollar bills.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Talia asked as she went to get her purse.
“A girl has got to be prepared.” Piper eyed Talia’s jeans and sweater. “Don’t you want to put on something less conservative?”
“No,” Talia said fiercely. “My man loves me just the way I am. And I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“You make love seem good,” Piper said as they walked outside.
“Love is good, Pipe.” Talia locked the door. “I hope one day you find someone who loves you for who you are, because you are definitely my coolest sister.” She turned and saw Aurelia chasing Ben toward them from the parking lot. “Oh, crap.”
“He is on the warpath,” Piper said.
“Where are you headed?” Ben asked.
“I didn’t mean to tell him!” Aurelia yelled. “It just came out!”
“What the hell, Talia?” Ben seethed. “Everyone knows about Derek’s dancing but me?”
He sounded angry, but the hurt in his eyes nearly did Talia in. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you.”
“He’s a stripper? And you’re okay with that?” His tone was more concerned than angry or judgmental. That was Ben. He had always worried about Talia first and the details later.
“A dancer, and yes,” she said firmly.
He studied her face, as if he was looking for an indication of hesitation. Keep looking, Ben, because you aren’t going to find it.
“Then why the hell didn’t you tell anyone?” He grabbed her arm and dragged her away from Piper and Aurelia. “And what does it say about how you really feel about him, having kept it from everyone?”
“It says I trust my judgment, and I don’t need anyone else’s approval.” She wrenched her arm from his grip.
He ground his teeth together, studying her for so long it made her even more nervous.
“Fine,” he finally said. “That makes sense. But why didn’t you tell me? I thought we were closer than that. I never told a soul about what happened in college.”
“We are, and I appreciate that, but I’m not a kid anymore.” Her heart hurt at the thought of having broken their unspoken bond, but she’d lived beneath the safety and comfort of her brother’s powerful wings for too long. “Ben, you have always been there for me. You’ve kept my secrets and you’ve made me feel safe. I appreciate that so much, and I know I’d never be who I am today without having had you behind me, protecting and encouraging me. I hope you’ll be there for me in the future. But it’ll be different. It has to be different.”
He cocked his head, staring at the lake out of the corner of his eyes, his jaw muscles twitching. Her pulse was beating so fast she was shaking, but not from fear or guilt. It was from the overwhelming power that came with breaking free from living within the confines she had for so many years. And as much as she owed that strength to Ben, she owed even more of it to Derek. It was time for her to get it all out in the open.
When Ben finally met her gaze, his dark eyes softened, and he hauled her into an embrace. “Okay. You’ve got this, and I’ve got your back when you need me.”
“Thank you.” She sighed with relief.
When he let her go, he said, “I knew before Aurelia told me, but you can let her think she spilled the beans.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was doing some due diligence on Derek tonight, thinking I might want to invest in his business. He’s a smart guy, and his business plan is spot-on. He’s going to be very wealthy one day, even though he doesn’t want it or see it. I got the report right before Aurelia and I sat down to have a drink. I was going to talk with you tomorrow, but when she let it slip, something inside me snapped.”
“That seems to be going around.”
“Well, not that you asked, but his background is clean.”
“Of course it is.” She didn’t like that Ben had run a background check on Derek, but when it came to investing, Ben was meticulous and scrutinizing. He crossed his t’s and dotted his i’s, and never made a move without doing thorough research. On that front, she’d expect nothing less from him.
“I’m sorry, Ben. I should have told you before everyone else.”
“Nah. You’re right. We’re not kids anymore. But I still can’t believe you’re dating a dancer.”
“Piper and I are going to see him dance. Want to come and see it for yourself?”
Ben scoffed as they walked back toward Aurelia and Piper. “Hell no. Dudes in G-strings?” He grabbed Aurelia’s arm and dragged her toward his car. “Come on. We have business to take care of.”
“Geez, you don’t have to be so handsy.” Aurelia looked over her shoulder and yelled, “Sorry, Talia!”
“What’d he say?” Piper asked as she and Talia headed for her car.
“Oh, you know Ben. Big-brother stuff.”
“Want to stop by Mom and Dad’s first so you can tell Dad about Derek’s dancing while I’m there for backup?”
“No.” Talia cringed inside, thinking about her father’s text message to her mom. “I want to go see my man. No one else matters right now.”