#Chapter 81: Karin

“Rhett-fucking-Butler,” Joy says. We’re on the couch, my head in her lap, as she strokes my hair. We’re eating a plate of lemon cookies she baked. She stuffs one into her mouth. “He’s an alpha,” she says, with her mouth full of cookie. “And you’re fated mates. He should have ripped off your clothes, made love to you on the stairwell, and made you beg him for forgiveness, if you get my drift!” I fan myself and she giggles. She sets down the cookie she’s just reached for. “He’s the real-deal alpha. He is Rhett Butler.” She tilts back her head and sighs loudly. “Well, he didn’t say he doesn’t ‘give a damn.’” “He didn’t have to,” Joy says. “Wow. I have a major crush now.” “After you encouraged me to break it off.” I raise my eyebrow. “I didn’t want you to give in and go back to a toxic relationship!” Was it toxic? It was uneven, maybe - unequal. “Now, what do you think?” I steal the cookie Joy’s just picked back up.