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No one looked at Tansy like that, not with—with genuine appreciation.
the only happily-ever-after Gemma was interested in entailed inheriting what was rightfully hers.
Familiarity breeds contempt?
Bejeweled
“Look, in the morning I’ll be sober, and I can guarantee I’ll still want to marry you.”
“Say yes now, and later, I’ll spend as much time on my knees as you want.”
It was sweet, really. How many girls could claim to have such a reliable father-daughter relationship?
She was a total fucking goner. Whatever magic Tansy was made of, Gemma wanted to drown in it, revel in the honeyed heat burning her up from the inside out. It was better than the finest bourbon she’d ever had the pleasure of sipping.
Always putting everyone else first. I believe that just might be your best trait.”
It wasn’t just a business. More than brick and mortar, Belltown Books was home.
A business merger, a marriage of convenience. Every little girl’s dream.
“Taylor’s lucky all he kept was her scarf.” Gemma pursed her lips. “He made off with a pair of my La Perla panties.”
“The day I meet someone who doesn’t want something from me is the day I’ll know hell froze over.”
“They’re gonna know.” “How would they know?”
Moreover, Tansy was willing to marry her knowing Gemma wasn’t looking for love. Something Lucy had said she understood, but hadn’t.
Her lips, her hair, that kiss. Her taste was branded into Gemma’s brain.
In her dreams, Tansy Adams plagued her.
You had a Pinterest board for your wedding before Pinterest was even a thing.”
“And if anyone, and I mean anyone, treats you with less respect than you deserve, give ’em hell for me, all right?”
Any residual sadness was for the girl she’d been, so full of hope, bursting with it. So trusting. A romantic through and through. That girl hadn’t just gotten her heart broken—people went through breakups and got their hearts broken every day; that was life—she’d had her trust annihilated, her name run through the mud, and her reputation destroyed.
“You have nice shoulders.” Gemma’s eyes danced over Tansy’s exposed collarbone, lingering on her décolletage. “You should show ’em off more often.”
“You were thinking about me?” Tansy’s voice lilted, surprise carrying through the line. “I mean, hi.”
Plus, Gemma was beginning to find herself rather fond of the bride she did have—and her predilection for blushing.
“Only because it should be a crime covering yourself up like that.”
She was pretty sure Tansy would look beautiful wearing a trash bag,
“I like it,” Gemma clarified, eyes dancing over Tansy’s exposed shoulders, gaze caressing her delicate collarbone. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly bone-dry. “I told you that you have nice shoulders.” “Why do you think I wore this?” Tansy said, a smile flirting at the edges of her lips.
“Conversely, in some cultures, presenting someone with a tansy is an unofficial declaration of war.”
“And where is your father this evening?” Victor asked. Tansy cleared her throat. “Lakeview Cemetery.”
Nothing would ever be enough. She would never be enough.
A part of her, no matter how childish and naive, would always crave her father’s validation, his approval. His affection.
“Careful.” Gemma took a smaller sip of scotch. “Curiosity killed the cat.” “You’re forgetting the second half of the saying. But satisfaction brought it back.”
In order to love someone, you need to know them. Know them at their best and their worst. You can’t possibly glean that from a single glance.”
something seriously off with her, because she’d never found anyone’s grumblings adorable before.
Maybe she’d buy everyone T-shirts. Or pins. Some way of identifying themselves as members of the Gemma van Dalen Disappointed Me Club.
Gemma liked Tansy. Well, no shit.
Tansy Adams should’ve sent her running for the fucking hills, and yet Gemma couldn’t seem to stay away.
“Meaning”—Gemma set the box of pastries down on the counter before she lost her grip on it—“go out with me.”
Mediocrity was unacceptable. Van Dalens, we are meant to be exceptional.”
“I take care of what’s mine, okay?” Gemma’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “And you are mine, aren’t you?”
“Does that make you mine, too?”
“I’m yours.” Her smile widened. “For better or worse.”
p.m.): Ha, U-Haul. Look at us. Doing sapphic stereotypes proud, moving in together after less than
Tansy, sweetheart, just . . . I’ve never gotten the chance to woo anyone before. It’s new. All of this is new for me.
You hardly have to woo me. I’m already yours, remember?
Stop wooing you? Never. Look, I might not have much experience in the realm of relationships, but I’m pretty sure getting lazy with the effort is a death knell for romance.
Tansy leaned against the counter so she wouldn’t swoon.
Whatever Tansy wanted, it was hers. Gemma was hers. From her assets to her heart to everything in between.
What she and Tansy had, money couldn’t buy.
“In case you hadn’t realized, we’ve adopted you. Like it or not, you’re one of us now.”
“Tansy, sweetheart, you could wear a trash bag and still outshine every single person in this city.”
“You’re a fucking goddess, Tansy Elizabeth Adams. And I am going to worship you.
