“I’m not going to cry. Nope. Not going to do it!” I fan my eyes with both hands.
“You’re always there for everyone, Bail,” Roxy says. “Nobody deserves a happy ending with an awesome super alpha more than you do.”
“Hey now,” Ivy jokes. “Me and Stacy might disagree there. So would Amelia and Erica.”
“You two deserve your guys. For sure.”
“And Erica and Amie,” Ivy adds, giving Roxy a weird look.
“I was talking about legacy Arcana Falls girls. But of course,” Roxy says.
But nobody misses that there’s something uncomfortable suddenly in the air.
Roxy quickly adds, “All of you are with who you’re supposed to be with. And so are you.” She looks at me.
I know Rox portrays herself as a no nonsense, don’t-need-a-man independent type, but I didn’t miss the way she used to stare at Mason whenever he came into the bar. The minute he’d walk in, her head would turn. After I noticed it, I watched for it and it happened every single time.
I don’t think she crushed as hard on Mason as I did on Jase, definitely not as obviously because she’s too cool for that and I’m not remotely cool, but maybe she was more into him than anyone knew. I’m suddenly relieved I don’t have to watch Jase with someone else.
But I still can’t fathom a world where that happily-ever-after actually happens for me.
“First things first. How are you?” Stacy asks.
“I’m still an emotional mess,” I answer honestly, “but come on in and we’ll have ourWe Must Chatbook club meeting.” I’ve drawn air quotes. “What treats did you bring?” I eyeball the tote bag Stacy is holding, smelling something delicious.
“Whoopie pies!”
“Whoopie!” Ivy exclaims.
I say, “I’ll get the coffee on. You guys go on and sit in the conference room.”
“I already made coffee for us and a pot of gingerbread herbal tea is brewing for the pregnant ladies,” Audrey says. “And I broughtyour favorite muffins, Bailey, but I’m beginning to think that’s not necessary with Stacy around.”
“The more treats the merrier,” Stacy says with a shrug.
“No more suspense. Let’s go, people!” Ivy claps her hands.
Ivy’s pretty mild-mannered, usually. Is being pregnant with a super-alpha’s baby injecting bossiness into her bloodstream?
***
“You’re all gonna see it soon enough, I guess. He… um… tattooed my name here.” I touch the spot on my own neck and as soon as I do, I hear a high-pitched yelp that’s so loud I startle.
Their reactions have me wondering if they’re reacting to the news of the tattoo or if they heard that yelp too.
“Did you hear that?” I ask.
“Um, I think we all did,” Ivy says. “That’s a pretty prominent place for a tattoo.”
“It could be marked up though when you get your chompers there,” Leona quips, peeling the muffin liner from her treat.
“Not that I have the kinds of chompers you guys have,” I say as I take a bite of one of the chocolate raspberry whoopie pies Stacy brought andyum! “Man, can you bake,” I mutter. This is the fluffiest, best raspberry frosting I’ve ever had.
She beams a big smile.
“I have to drive to The Hollow for those muffins,” Audrey tells Stacy, pointing to the box. “You could re-create these, couldn’t you? They’re Bailey’s favorite.”
Stacy plucks one up and tastes it, looking like she’s searching her palate to pinpoint all the ingredients. She washes it down with a sip of tea and declares, “Absolutely. In fact, I think I could make them even better.”