“My gran was English. Her favorite saying. It means ‘bullshit’.”

“I know what it means,” Olivia muttered.

“Good, because that’s what it is. You guys fit so well it’s almost nauseating. You’re just scared.”

“I don’t think I’m just scared,” Olivia began, but Sadie ignored her.

“Which, as I said, is a perfectly normal reaction. Everyone does it. But that’s no excuse for being a ninny.”

“Another word from Gran?”

“No, that’s my Aunt Muriel. Look, you love Cade, right?”

“I think so,” Olivia said, hedging her bets.

“And he loves you,” Sadie went on. “Your kinks are compatible, and that’s no small thing considering what they are.”

“Which is my point,” Olivia said triumphantly.

“Your point is crap. I’m telling you, as an outside observer, you and Cade fit. You fit so well you might as well be a jigsaw puzzle. In fact, you’re a perfect fit, and it’s both inspiring and depressing.”

“Why depressing?”

“Because it’s rare, Liv,” Sadie said, deadly serious for once. “It’s so fucking rare to find someone who genuinely likes you and loves you and wants to fuck you up in the exact way you like to be fucked up. Most of us will never get that. We’ll have to settle for just a little less. And that’s okay, that’s life, but I swear to God if you fuck this up by pigeon-pecking it to death, I’m going to be so fucking pissed at you.”

“I don’t want to fuck it up,” Olivia said, suddenly near tears. “I’m just scared it’s not real.”

Sadie reached across the table for her hand. “I know. I know you are. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled.”

“It’s okay.” Olivia sniffed. “But maybe, no more shots.”

“Deal.” Sadie leaned back. “You know, I’m not the person you should be having this conversation with.”

“I know. That scares me, too.”

“That, I understand perfectly. Wanna get some pie? This place has pretty good desserts.”

“I want cake,” Olivia decided. “Chocolate cake. If I’m going to eat my feelings, it should be chocolate.”

“You’re a wise woman,” Sadie said, and signaled for the waitress.

* * * *

Olivia knocked on the door and waited. He was expecting her—the doorman had called up—but she was nervous. She’d intended to drive home after dropping Sadie off, but instead she’d found herself searching for a parking space downtown. And now she was standing in the hallway of this fancy-pants building in the Old Post Office District, waiting for Jack to open the door.

Then it swung open and there he was, in a pair of black cotton pajama pants and nothing else, his hair down around his shoulders and all his tattoos on display.

“Hi,” she said, and gave a weak little wave. “Sorry to drop by unannounced.”