Page 70 of Wish You Would

“Ah, right. My Slugger is fairly well hidden behind the table. I think you’ll be fine.” I wink at her.

She rolls her eyes, but grins. “I promise we’ll tell our friends soon, Holden. I know keeping Slugger a secret is eating you alive.”

“Yes, it is, but I’m trying to be patient.”

She looks at me like “patient” is a stretch, but I truly have been. I haven’t said a word, even though there’s nothing I want more on this earth than to share our news with the most important people in my life. They won’t believe it. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. People change; I am proof of that. And I’m so fucking happy.

A few minutes later, Sierra appears at our table carrying two cupcakes with purple and blue frosting.

“For you,” she says, setting the plates on the table with a warm smile. “These are from me. What can I get you two to drink?”

“Thanks, Sierra. A coffee for me, please,” I say before looking at Briar. “Tea for you?”

“Peppermint, please.”

Fork in hand, I scoop the icing from the top, putting the sugary topping to the side before stabbing off a chunk of the vanilla cupcake. I like sweets, but the cake is enough for me. It’s a perfect bite. Not surprising, since Sierra isthebest baker. So good, she opened Buttercup Bakery a few years ago with the encouragement of Grayson. The guys and I spent a few months helping with construction.

“You’re not eating the best part,” Briar says flatly.

“Says who?”

“Says me.” She flashes me a sassy grin before scooping the icing off my plate and onto hers. Her mouth forms an O as she sucks the frosting from the fork.

I take a sip of the cup of coffee that Sierra brought to the table, my cock plumping in my shorts from the expression on Briar’s face. I haven’t forgotten how good her mouth felt wrapped around my cock. It is on the long list of things I like about her— her magic mouth and the incomparable way she uses it.

I’m snapped out of my fantasy when the bell on the door chimes and I look up to see… my ex. Amy walks in, and her curious eyes bounce from me to Briar and back to me again.

“Holden, I thought that was you. Hi!”

I lift my hand in a wave at Amy, who walks across the bakery to our table in workout gear, a yoga mat in her arm. “Hi, Amy. It’s good to see you.”

Reed Point isn’t big, so I’ve run into Amy from time to time over the years. Seeing her is no big deal. I’ve been over her for a long time. Besides, there isn’t anyone on the planet who could tear my attention away from Briar.

“This is my girlfriend, Briar.” I gesture towards Briar, who looks back at me like I’ve grown a third eyeball.

Amy’s mom is still best friends with my mom, so I’m sure by now she’s heard all about the girl who is the “plus one”on my RSVP to her wedding. But it feels wrong calling Briar my girlfriend under false pretenses. If it was up to me, Briar would be mine for real.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Amy sticks a hand across the table and Briar stands in order to reach it. When she does, Amy’s eyes drift immediately to her belly. “Oh! I didn’t realize you’re expecting. Congratulations!”

My stomach drops and I swivel to see Briar’s eyes wide with panic. She chews her bottom lip, working herself up while I brace for her reaction.

“Umm, thank you,” she squeaks out. “I’m not… well… we haven’t told many people yet.”

“How are the wedding plans, Amy?” I interject, trying to put Briar out of her misery.

“They’re pretty much done. I mean, they better be, I’m getting married in three weeks.”

“We’re looking forward to it.”

“I’m glad you’ll be there.”

I shoot Amy an easy smile before we say our goodbyes and as she turns to walk towards the counter, I notice Sierra’s eyes on Briar and me.Shit.I don’t know for sure, but there is a very good chance she overheard the entire conversation.

I try to play it cool until Sierra gets drawn into a discussion with a customer.

“I think we may have a problem,” I tell Briar. “Sierra might have just heard all of that.”

Briar grimaces like she’s in pain.

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