Variation

by Rebecca Yarros

He was about as dependable as one-ply toilet paper.

Ha, nice

There was something familiar about the tilt of her button nose, the hints of copper in her eyes,

This is somehow her sister’s daughter, right??

“Because”—she straightened her shoulders—“you’re my biological mother.”

Huh?? No her sister is

“You deserve someone who thinks you’re the world.” I picked at the label, wishing it was one of Finn’s eyes.

Absolutely. Gosh men suck sometimes

at the hip more than Gavin and Lina, and they actually dated.”

Ok she’s Gavin and Lina’s daughter

week. I’d be in the middle of something, and I’d think of Allie.

😌

“We called her Lina. She was the oldest, and had the brightest smile, and the loudest laugh, and gave the best hugs—the kind where you feel like love moves through osmosis, like she could infuse you with her joy.” My throat tightened.

Beautiful

“But now, those walls are thick as hell and easily twenty feet tall, if not more, which is fine—I know how to climb—but we both know those bricks aren’t all because of me.”

Ok, this man… wow wee. 😮‍💨

“And you should touch her. Couples are always touching each other on the back or holding hands.” She turned, her pointer finger raised. “But only if she says it’s okay.”

How cute

“Not a problem. I’m not seeing anyone, and even if I had been, it’s hard to focus on anyone else once you walk into a room,” he said, like it was a simple fact.

“Please. Once you master faking an orgasm, any role is easy. This is cake.”

HAHA 👏🏻

But Hudson was right. I preferred sunset, preferred the anticipation of those hours when I’d been able to sneak out to see him, or sneak him in here.

I couldn’t imagine a lifetime when I would ever tire of looking into his eyes.

“No need to rev your own engine unless you want to.” I lowered my head to hers. “You’ll come at least twice before I fuck you, Allie,” I promised. “I’m far from silent, and I know how to use my mouth to ensure you aren’t either.”

Gawd damn 🥵

“Five stars. No notes.”

His gaze heated. “That’s a very real fact of life. I live in a constant state of wanting you. I have since I was seventeen years old. Wanting you is all I know.”

The only thing going back to New York had shown me was that I wasn’t quite sure I liked who I was when I was there. If I even knew who I was. I’d only felt like myself around Hudson.

“Kind of impossible when there’s only one of them.”

One bed trope!!

“I don’t care. You’re here now. Give me your now.”

“Back row, center seat for eleven years isn’t nothing.”

Wait and see how she feels after you confess what you’ve done. I shut my conscience down. I’d handle that later, and who knew if I’d get my first selection anyway. But I still had to tell her. I owed her every ounce of the truth.

Ummm what??

“Hands on the barre, Allie,” he ordered. I immediately did as ordered. “Perfect,” he praised,

😮‍💨

“Orange.” She shook her head. “No.” Her fists clenched. “Crush. River boy is crush.”

Why the fuck does she talk so weird??