They all clap quietly with glee, eyeing the living room.
“So, why does he call you Cupcake?” Sydney asks.
“Because all he could think about in the motel room was how much I smelled like them. My lotion is to blame.”
“You mean applaud,” Ava blurts.
“Yeah, there’s that.”
“So, all the little touches and comments… He’s totally in this. He wants to lock you down. I see it. We all see it. Is this going to be more than just the motel incident? Just benefits? Or, like,moremore? Are you going to finally let him in?” Jane rambles.
I’m quiet as I really think about it–mostly because I’ve been pretty nervous to dissect things. Sydney eyes me closely, then gasps, holding both hands to her mouth.
“You really,reallylike him. You want this, don’t you? Like, in the beginning, you liked him, but now you really, really,reallylike him.”
That’s a lot of likes. A soft smile graces my lips, and I nod. They all just grin back knowingly.
“You guys, look at her. I think he could be the one!” Ava says dreamily.
“Wouldn’t that be great?” Brynleigh eyes her sister-in-law.
“Are you all going to start planning my wedding or something?”
“Do you want one?” Jane asks with raised brows as she takes another sip.
“Have you even told your mom about him?” Sydney asks.
“After the last time, I don’t know. And no, it all just started. I haven’t told her yet.”
“Did it really just start though?” Jane asks.
“Fair point. We've been simmering slowly since we met.”
“You both were pining away those few months…” Brynleigh adds just as dreamily as Ava was a minute ago.
“You guys,” Jane deadpans, then her face lights up as we all look to her.
“We actually might have a shot at a whole new baby bestie squad!” Jane whisper-shouts. We all chuckle.
“Hold your horses. Don’t you think that’s jumping the gun a little?” I add.
“A homie can dream.”
Chapter 21
Jaxon
It’s a little after nine. I pull off my white tee as I meander to my bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready to crawl under my sheets. As the minutes tick by, the chance of Holly showing up on my doorstep dwindle. Maybe a mindless show will help me get her off my mind. I know she’s with the gals, and I don’t want to bug her or be that guy, but man, she is front and center of my entire brain all day, every day anymore. Obsessed is putting it mildly.
Buzz.
Cupcake: Where’s your key?
I smirk, spitting out the last of my toothpaste before giving a quick swish. I check to make sure my pits are still fresh as I make my way to the front door, lazily pulling it open with a broad grin. Holly’s eyes drift over me from head to toe, and I play it up, reaching to grab the top of the doorframe and leaning into it so she can get a load of muscle. Her eyes light up like Christmas, and I eat it up.
“I, uh, brought you lasagna. Damn, you look good in sweats. I can’t think what else I was going to say.”
I chuckle hard, letting my arm fall from the frame as I reach out to grab her hand and tug her inside. She has a bag with her. A man can only hope.