“That was my seventh grade English teacher, asshole.”
“Hey, guys,” Spence singsongs. “Did you run into Mrs. Guidry? We had a good time catching up while y’all were—ummm—occupied.” Her eyes take in our disheveled appearance and she smiles knowingly, giving me a thumbs-up.
Gina collapses into her chair, burying her head in her hands. “Yeah, she just caught us fucking in the bathroom.”
“Ouch.” Spence tries to cover her laughter for a moment, before finally just letting it go. “You know this is gonna be on the five o’clock news tonight, right?” she teases. “Probably all over Facebook already.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Gina waves her off, pushing the cold food in her plate around with a fork.
“Do you want me to order you something else?” I ask, when I realize she’s not planning to eat it.
“I can take care of myself Jeffrey,” she snaps.
“Soooo,” Spence drawls, trying to relieve a little of the tension. “What time do you meet with the realtor?”
“Wait, realtor?” Gina’s eyes grow wide with alarm. Checkmate.
Deciding it best to ignore her, I direct my attention to her friend. “In about an hour. I think I’m gonna put in an offer. The girls and I loved it.”
“Landon told me y’all stopped to have a look on the way home from Gina’s party,” Spence continues, also pretending her best friend isn’t about to have a coronary between us. “Well, let us know how it goes. I can’t believe we’re going to be neighbors.”
“Neighbors?!” Tink shouts, her eyes bugging out of her head. “What the hell is going on?”
“Surprise! The girls and I are moving to Magnolia Lake.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
GINA
IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT, and here I am in a threadbare tee with lounge pants and a top knot, settling in on the couch with a new book and a bag of Tootsie Rolls. I haven’t been out in weeks. Not since the night I got trashed and puked all over Spencer’s house, and my godson. It’s not one of my prouder moments. The bar seems to have lost its appeal now that I’m not out on a dick hunt. I don’t even miss it like I thought I would. It’s like, what’s even the point?
So, when I’m not meeting up with Jeffrey for a quick fuck—which has definitely been made easier by his close proximity, even if it does make for lots of awkward run-ins—I’m either binging shows on Netflix or with my nose stuck in a book. Spence’s latest recommendation is Bashful by Lo Brynolf. It’s about a girl who falls in love with her gay best friend, and I’m way too invested in finding out how this could possibly end in anything but disaster.
I’m just getting started on the second chapter when the message alert on my phone sounds.
CEO: You busy?
Me: Reading, why? What’s up?
CEO: *winky face* *eggplant emoji*
My insides get all tingly and warm at the thought of what his message implies.
Me: Your place or mine? Where are the girls?
CEO: They’re at Spencer and Cooper’s for a movie night. Gotta pick them up at midnight. Can you come here?
Me: Sure...Give me an hour. I need to freshen up.
§
Forty-five minutes later, I’m turning down Jeffrey’s long, winding driveway. My breath catches when I pull up to the house, which is nothing short of amazing, with its second-floor balconies and turrets. It reminds me of a castle. The house itself is very similar to Spencer’s in style, but pale blue in color. The right corner of the wraparound porch, which I love so much, opens up into a beautiful gazebo. It’s every girl’s dream home.
Running my hand along the intricate railing, I make my way up the steps. Butterflies swarm around in my chest as I lift my hand to knock. Lines between us have been blurring. Jeff’s made it no secret that he moved here to be near me. To show me how serious he is and that he wants to make this thing work. But I’m afraid and stubborn, to a fucking fault.
The sound of his footsteps approaching sets my pulse to racing. It’s the same every time I see him—a rush unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I guess I’d liken it to a little kid on Christmas morning, eager and bursting to open their gifts. But I already know what’s inside, and the excitement never lessens.
“Tink.” He says my name in greeting, with a Cheshire Cat grin. His head is the only part of his body I can see, the rest is hiding behind the door. “Come inside. It’s chilly out.”
Stepping into the foyer, I deposit my things on the console table. When I spin around, I nearly choke from sucking in so much air. This insane man is wearing a white apron and chef’s hat, and nothing else.
“Wine?” Jeff offers, holding out a glass of my favorite red as if nothing is out of the ordinary.
Eyeing him from the top of his head to his bare toes, I take the offered drink. “What are you doing, Jeffrey? Is this...are we doing role-play?” I mean, I’ve never done anything like that before, but I would be down for any kind of sex with this man.
“Nope.” He winks, motioning for me to follow him.
Lord have mercy, I want to reach out and squeeze those perfect, round ass cheeks. “Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”
His only response is a shrug.
“You’re a strange man, Jeff—” My thoughts are lost when I step foot into the dining room. Vases of red roses sit on every surface—loose petals are scattered over the white linen table cloth. The only light comes from the candles at the center of the table, offering the perfect romantic atmosphere. I’m speechless. I’ve only seen the likes of this in the movies. Fucking frat boys doesn’t lead to candles, roses, and wine.
“What do you think?” he asks, pulling out my chair.
My mouth opens and closes and then I get a glimpse of his bare ass as he moves to sit in the chair beside me and burst out laughing.
“Something funny?” He scoots his chair in and removes the silver dome lids covering our plates, revealing some sort of shrimp pasta in a white sauce. It looks and smells delicious.
“I don’t know what’s going on right now, Jeffrey.” I glance around the room then back to his outfit. “You’re eating this fancy dinner...wearing that?”
He looks down at his chest and back up to me. “Unless it bothers you.”
“What’s going on?” I’m so fucking confused. I can’t tell if he’s trying to woo me or making a fucking joke. If it’s the latter...I just may kill him.
“I’m having a nice romantic dinner with the woman I love.” Well, excuse me. Way to drop the L-word. Now I can’t breathe.
“Wh—what’s with the outfit?” He said he loved me. He loves me?
Jeff smirks. “I thought maybe I could distract you from your overactive mind. Is it working?”
With a hard swallow, I nod. “I th—think it might be, Jeffrey.”
“Great!” He slaps his hands together a few times. “Let’s eat.”
“Eat?”
The confusing man laughs. “You know...put the fork in the plate, bring it up to your mouth. Chew. Chew. Swallow. Repeat.”
“Jeffrey?” My whole world is spinning right now. I can’t possibly eat.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Did you just—oh, God.” Tears prick the backs of my eyes. My throat swells up. Don’t you fucking do it, Gina. Don’t you start crying like a damn fool. “Did you mean me?”
His brows furrow in confusion. “When?”
“Y—you said the woman you l—love.”
Jeff looks around the room, under the table, behind his chair. “Is there another woman in this room I’m unaware of?” he teases. “Yes, Tink. Of course, I meant you.”
“You love me?”
He reaches out, taking my hand into his. “Gina, I wouldn’t have uprooted my children and bought a house in your best friend’s neighborhood if I wasn’t crazy in love with you.”
“This is really happening...” I mutter beneath my breath.
“I lied to you, Tink.” He reaches into the front pocket of his apron, retriev
ing a small red velvet pouch. He pulls it open, dumping something shiny into his hand. Then, he reaches for my wrist, lifting it into the air, and hooks another charm to the bracelet he and the girls gave me for my birthday. The bracelet I never take off. “When I said I couldn’t give you my heart.”
He removes his hand, and there’s a white gold heart charm dangling beside the ship. Holy. Shit. “Jeffrey?” My own voice sounds foreign to my ears.
“You already have my heart, Tink. It’s yours, and I want more than anything to possess yours.”
“Jeffrey?” I say again. Apparently, it’s my go-to response because I can’t form a coherent thought, much less express it verbally.
“What’dya say, Tink? Can we give this a shot? Will you be my girlfriend?” he asks, all sheepish and boy-like.
“Oh, Jeffrey,” I nod. Stupid tears spill down my cheeks. “I love y—you too.”
“You do?” His beautiful blue eyes shimmer in the candlelight. “So, does this mean I can finally take you on real dates?”
“I’d like that.”
“Wait ’til I tell the girls! They’re going to be so excited.” Wait, what?
“Huh? You wanna tell your children? Are you sure, Jeffrey?” Alarm bells start going off in my head. This was where we fucked up last time.
“Of course I want to tell them, Gina. They love you too, and they’ve been very impatiently waiting for me to win you back.” He chuckles. “In fact, it was Evangeline who made me finally realize that it’s okay...to love you, I mean. I know that sounds fucked up, but I couldn’t help feeling like I was somehow dishonoring my wife by falling in love with you. And I couldn’t stop myself from falling...I was a fucking mess, and I will never forgive myself for hurting you, Tink.”
“You want me, for real.” I can’t wrap my head around the level of permanence he’s implying. He’s talked to his kids about me. About dating me. About being in love with me. He. Loves. Me.
“I want you, Tink. God, I want you in every fucking way. I want you in my house and in my bed. At my breakfast table and sitting beside me at church on Sundays. I want your girly shit littering the counters in my bathroom and your soap in my shower.” He gets up from his chair, and I try not to lose it over his bare ass again. Kneeling at my feet, he takes my hand into his, kissing each of my fingers one by one. “Say you’re mine, baby. Just be mine.”
“I’m yours, Jeffrey. God help you if you fuck this up.” I laugh, rubbing my hand along his jaw. “I’m a little crazy, CEO. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
His response is to curl an arm under my knees and the other around my back, scooping me up from the chair. He carries me over to the living room, depositing me on a bed made of pillows and blankets right in front of the already-lit fireplace.
He literally thought of everything.
“Will you come with me to pick up the girls later? I want us to tell them together.” Only Jeffrey would still be thinking of his children at a time like this.
“Yes,” I rasp, pulling his face down so I can kiss his lips. “But...maybe you should put some clothes on first?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
JEFFREY
“YOU TWO ALMOST done up there?” I call up the stairwell as Spencer’s truck rolls to a stop in front of the house. “That boy’s here.” Vangie hates it when I call him that.
Radio silence.
Tink and Vangie have been holed up in my bathroom for damn near three hours now getting ready for homecoming. It’s her first school dance. Gina says it has to be perfect. She took her shopping for a dress and shoes last week. Took her to get her hair and nails done. And now she’s doing her makeup. All of the things I’d never have even thought to do. All of the things she would have missed out on by not having her mother.
The doorbell chimes, and before I can even get to the foyer, I hear Willow. “Ooh Yannon. You wook yike prince sharmin!”
“Thanks, Willow.”
“Y’all come on in,” I say to Landon and Spencer. “She’s still up there with Gina getting ready.”
“I bet she looks amazing in that green dress with her red hair,” Spence says, all giddy.
“Why don’t you go up there and try to hurry them along?” I suggest because I can tell she’s just dying to be a part of this makeover, and I need a moment alone with her son.
“Lookin’ sharp, bud,” I say, admiring Landon’s suit and tie.
“Thanks.” He stares down at his feet. I’m making him nervous. That’s good.
“Now that your mom is outta the way, we’re gonna go over a few ground rules.”
“Daddy, Gigi telled you to yeave Yannon alone.” Willow wags her little finger at me, and Landon tries to cover a laugh.
“Listen here, Landon.” His head comes up, and his eyes meet mine. “No kissing, no butt touching, no boob touching.” I start ticking off all of my ridiculous rules on my fingers.
Landon’s face turns beet red. “Yes, sir.”
“Boy,” I warn, getting in his face. “I know you’ve been kissing my daughter. You better cut that shit out.”
“Yes, sir,” he lies.
“Jeffrey,” Tink growls on her way down the stairs. “I told you not to mess with him.” Her eyes get all starry when she sees the boy she helped raise, all decked out. “You look like a little man. Oh my God. I think I might cry.” Her hands wave in front of her face to dry the tears before they fall.
“Here she comes,” Spence shouts down the steps, starting a drumroll as Vangie begins her walk down the stairs, making her grand entrance.
“Princess.” My hand goes to my chest. She looks so beautiful—and so much like her mother—that for a moment it’s hard to breathe.
“Wow,” Landon rasps, his eyes about bugging out of his head at the sight of Evangeline all made up. “You look so beautiful, Vange.”
Suddenly, Tink’s arm hooks around my elbow. It’s like she knows exactly what I need when I need it. Because seeing the way that boy is looking at my baby has me ready to call this whole ridiculous thing off.
“Thanks, Lan.” Vangie blushes, leaning in to whisper something into his ear.
A smile curls his lips, and I want to know what the hell was just said. This growing up business is a load of bullshit.
“Calm down, papa bear,” Tink teases. “They’re going to a school dance, and Spencer is chaperoning. They aren’t running off to the courthouse.”
“Go stand by your dad in front of the fireplace, Evangeline. I wanna get a shot of you two together before we leave,” Spencer orders, lifting the camera that’s dangling around her neck and making adjustments to the settings.
“You look so beautiful, baby,” I whisper, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
Snap. Snap.
“All right, now Willow, you get in.”
“Wait!” Willow shouts. “What about Gigi?”
“Oh, no, baby. Y’all need a family picture.” Gina starts backing away slowly.
“Babe...” I wave her over. “Get in here.” She was such a huge part of this day and is such an integral part of our lives. She belongs in the photos.
“It’s fine, Jeff. I don’t need to be in the picture.”
Evangeline walks over, grabbing Tink by the arm and pulls. “Get in the damn picture, Gina.”
“Evangeline!” I warn. “Language.”
“Everyone says damn, Daddy.” My daughter huffs, completely disregarding my reprimand.
“Yeah, well—”
“I know. I know,” Vangie mocks. “I’m not everyone else’s daughter.”
§
“This is the best double date everrr!” Willow squeals, skipping toward the entrance to the zoo in her poufy yellow Belle dress.
A less enthusiastic pirate growls, behind her. “It’s not a date, Willow. Argh! Don’t make me cut you with my sword.”
“How many years do you think it’ll be before they’re hiding behind the trees between you and Spe
ncer’s houses to make out?” Gina teases, squeezing my hand.
“Stop it.” My eyes veer to the side, narrowing. “I don’t even wanna think about that right now.”
Gina giggles, cuddling into my side. She looks like a sexy little Eskimo all bundled up in her marshmallow jacket. You’d swear by looking at her it was like twenty degrees out rather than the refreshing sixty.
“Willow and Savage, get your little butts back over here before someone steals you,” I shout when they start getting a little too far ahead of us.
“You say that like it’d be a bad thing,” Tink teases.
“Knowing our luck...they’d bring ’em back.”
“Yook, Daddy!” Willow runs over with her candy bag opened wide. “Them nice wadies gave me tandy.”
“That’s great. Now stay right here while Daddy pays.”
“Welcome to Boo at the Zoo. Two adults and two children...That’ll be 36.50.”
“Kyle, a man always pays for his date. Where’s your money?” I hold out my hand, teasing, and that little punk licks it! “Gross!”
“I’m not on a date and don’t got no money. Looks like you’re shit outta luck, CEO.”
“Kyle!” Gina gasps before losing her temporary lapse into adulthood and folding at the waist in a fit of hysterics. “Oh my God, you are such a savage.”
Kyle beams. It’s no wonder the kid says the things he does with the reaction he gets, but I don’t dare comment on the matter. He isn’t mine, and despite his potty mouth, he really is a sweet kid.
“Sorry, ma’am.” My cheeks heat as I hand the woman my card to pay for our admission. “He’s not mine,” I whisper when she passes it back with the receipt and a pen.
The woman laughs, exchanging our tickets for the card receipt. “Y’all have a great time.”
“Yet’s go see the unicorns!” Willow begs, tilting her head to the side and fluttering those long lashes. She’s such a little flirt already.
“Willow, unicorns aren’t—”
“Out tonight,” Tink interrupts, glaring my way. “How ’bout we go check out the zebras instead?”
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