Pickup Lessons (Awkward Arrangements Book 3)
Page 18
“It’ll be an easy anniversary to remember,” he assures me.
Honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. And I’m elated that this gets to be the story we tell. Messy and imperfect and filled with so much more laughter than I could have imagined.
“I’m ready for my makeup sex now.” I pull back and smile as I remember the ring on my finger. “I mean we’re-engaged sex.”
He laughs low and quiet against my ear. “Your wish is my command.” He hooks a hand behind my knees and lifts me against his chest, but my feather-printed outfit catches in the closed front door.
“Shoot!” I gasp as the bedsheets fall away to leave me in only a strapless bra and a pair of boy short undies.
Dash’s eyes widen in surprise, and his grip tightens on my body. “Wait,” he says, studying my naked skin with barely-concealed amusement. “You’re allowed to wear underwear under your toga?”
I cock my head at him, my pulse thickening in my veins and a laugh threatening to overtake me. “Don’t tell me you’re commando under there.”
He brings his heated gaze to mine and winks. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
30
Dash
Walking into Portage Bay Cafe on a Sunday morning a month after my engagement feels like an exercise in patience. The cheerful restaurant bustles with hungry locals and tourists alike, the clanging pots and pans of the exposed kitchen mingling with the din of the crowd to create a roar in my ears. From my vantage point near the wall of flyers by the front door, every table looks full.
“So many people!” Greer breathes, stepping in the door behind us. We’re all here—Greer and Locke, Molly and Parker, me and Eden and Titus. All we have left to do is find Titus a girl and we’ll perfectly fill one of the eight-top tables.
I bend down and brush a kiss to Eden’s forehead. “You sure we’re even going to fit? This place is claustrophobic.”
My gorgeous fiancée smiles up at me. “Good thing I made a reservation.”
Sure enough, when Eden approaches the hostess, I have just enough time to grab a mug of complimentary coffee before we’re led to a table. We cram in together, the smiling faces of all my friends beaming back at me.
I soak up the warmth of this moment, grateful for everything it took to get here. Outside, spring’s finally arrived, pushing through the May morning to show up bright and warm and hopeful. Sunlight dapples the sidewalks outside, casting a glow onto the faces of all the passing pedestrians.
I hope the weather holds.
After brunch, we’ll walk to the Ballard Sunday market and browse the displays to load up on fresh produce and flowers. Then I’ll take my girl home and make love to her, throwing out every bad joke I have just to make her laugh.
But first, we need to fill our stomachs.
I order a pile of bacon and eggs, then sip my coffee as we wait for food to arrive, one hand stroking Eden’s knee under the table. Across from us, Titus doesn’t so much as flinch.
“I have some news,” I say, turning toward my friends.
We’re interrupted by a quiet voice. “Excuse me?” We all turn at the question, and from the way the teenager’s staring at Parker, I know she’s here for him.
“Yes?” Parker asks.
“Can I get a picture with you?”
“Sure.”
Molly rises to her feet, holding out a hand for the teen’s cell phone, ready to take a photo, and I realize that’s part of what love is—standing out of the way sometimes, giving the person you care about the spotlight when they need it most.
But the girl shakes her head, a shy look on her delicate features. “Actually, can I get the two of you?”
Parker wraps his arm around his fiancée’s waist. “Of course you can. She’s way better looking than me, anyway.”
The girl stammers and blushes, and I can’t help but grin at Parker and Molly. They’re perfect proof of how much love stories matter, how much they inspire and lift you up. All the more reason I hope my own story makes it out there, too.
“I’ll take it,” I say, accepting the phone and organizing the trio into a quick pose. I snap a few pictures and hand back the phone.
The girl says her thanks and scampers away, and we all return to our seats.
“Thanks, man,” Parker says, shooting me a grateful look.
“Anytime.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could help me out in another way.”
Beside me, Eden squirms in her seat with a smile on her face as if she already knows what Parker’s going to say.
I raise an eyebrow at her, but she shakes her head and waves a hand at Parker. “What are you looking at me for? Let the man ask you the question.”
I bite back a smile and turn to Parker, who leans his elbows on the table to study me intently.
“Eden told me about your art,” he says. “And Matter More’s got a new album coming soon with all the songs I wrote this year.”
I nod, my palms sweaty with anticipation. Parker’s band’s been topping the charts, the teenager’s presence reminder enough alone of their increased popularity.
“Any chance you might do the cover art for us?”
It’s an opportunity that could bring my art to the masses and get me serious credentials to help sell a comic. Scratch that—it will bring me the exposure I’m looking for. And for the first time, I don’t let myself get in my own way.
“Of course,” I say, a smile wide on my face. “Thanks for thinking of me.”
“Anytime.”
“Wait,” Greer says, looking at me and tapping a finger to her lips. “Didn’t you start to say you had news, too?”
I glance at Eden, nervous to see her reaction. “Actually, yeah,” I say. “I’ve been working on a comic to submit to Dark Horse.” I squeeze Eden’s knee beneath the table, and she drops her hand to cover mine. “Titus and I had a web design contract with them, and now that that’s done, I was able to send the comic over to our contact there for an extra boost. As of Monday, it’s officially submitted. Top of their pile, according to my contact.”
Eden beams back at me. “That’s amazing, Dash.”
“So, wait, you both have book proposals out?” Molly asks.
What?
I cock my head at Eden and watch a fine blush stain her cheeks. “You have a book proposal out?” I ask slowly.
She bites her lip, and I long to free it from her teeth. “Yeah. I had to do something while you were locked in your room working.”
I burst into laughter, and she blinks at me, unsure of whether it’s good or bad news. But I’m not upset. I’m thrilled. My talented fiancée deserves a chance to shine.
“It’s going to be amazing, angel.” I brush my lips over the tip of her nose. As much as I love our friends, right now, I wish I were all alone with her. I’ll just have to wait until we’re home to show her how special she is.
Eden nods breathlessly, her eyes never leaving mine. “It’s nonfiction. Figured it was about time to take my blog to the next level. Share what I know with a new audience.”
“I think it’s brilliant,” I assure her.
“You do?”
“New York Times bestseller list, for sure.”
She groans and rolls her eyes. “Only after your book makes it there first.” She purses her lips. “Or maybe you want to take things to the big screen? A Dash Walton original film?”
My chest warms at all the possibilities, but the best part of it isn’t any single accomplishment—it’s dreaming about it with the woman I love. No matter what happens, I have everything I need right here.
“So, who’ll hear back first?” Locke asks.
Eden and I glance at each other, and I shrug. “Publishing can take forever,” I say. “It’s anyone’s game. But I bet Eden will hear first since she has a huge platform already.”
“Maybe it’ll be a tie,” Eden breathes.
Titus groans beside us, shaking his head like the much-aggrieved brother-in-law he’ll be one
day soon. “Maybe if you keep fawning all over each other, I’m gonna puke before brunch even arrives,” he mutters.
My girl and I exchange glances. I wink at Eden, and she winks at me. And then, because we know each other so well, we can speak as one voice. We look at Titus and smile.
“Wanna bet?”
The End
Thank you so much for reading PICKUP LESSONS! I hope you loved the story, and there’s more to the Awkward Arrangements series!
See where it all started with Greer and Locke’s friends-to-lovers romance, THE FAKE DATE AGREEMENT.
And if you missed Molly and Parker’s enemies-to-lovers romance, pick up RENTING WITH THE RIVAL.
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Also by Tanya Gallagher
Standalones
A Slippery Slope
Step Summer
The X Enterprises Series
His Distraction (X Enterprises Book One)
His Inspiration (X Enterprises Book Two)
His Invitation (X Enterprises Book Three)
His Temptation (X Enterprises Book Four)
The Awkward Arrangements Series
The Fake Date Agreement
Renting with the Rival
Pickup Lessons
About the Author
Tanya Gallagher is the Seattle-based author of contemporary New Adult and Adult romances about smart, strong women and the sexy men who love them. She traded pencil skirts in the boardroom for stories in the bedroom and hasn't looked back since. You can find her traveling the world in search of beautiful scenery and delicious cake, and at penchantforpleasure.com, where she happens to sell one of the most popular brands of personal lubricant for your naughty bits. True story.
Let’s hang out!
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