Page 108 of Crave

“No denying that. If you don’t go, who’s going to tell us stuff?” I ignore Tash as I fall flat on my face on her couch. She slaps me on the ass and orders me to turn around.

“Where is your man? He’s never far away from you these days.”

“Right now, he’s in a tent in his parents’ backyard roughing it with Tristan, Emma, and Luke. They’re camping just like he used to do with Luke when he was younger. I was invited, but I told him that I don’t camp.” I look up and take the drink that Tash is offering me. “This girl likes her creature comforts.”

“And he didn’t offer you a suite inside the house?” Chris asks.

I laugh because that’s exactly what he did.

“He did, but I turned him down. You guys miss me too much over here.”

“Yeah,” Chris snorts. “I’ve really missed coming to your rescue when you run out of gas.”

“He fills my gas tank now. Problem solved.”

“You spoiled bitch,” Tash says. I simply shrug my shoulders as we all burst into laughter.

“Okay, back to the baby shower dilemma,” Chris announces. “I think you should go, and not just because we’re nosy, which we are, but that’s beside the point. Tracy is extending an olive branch here. I think what she did was kind of cool.”

“I agree,” Tash says. “No cattiness or pettiness. It took guts, Dee. It’s only a problem or awkward if you make it that way. Don’t. And she’s right. That man is crazy about you. I don’t care who came before you, you own that man now. He left a business meeting and flew home because you weren’t answering your phone. That could have cost him millions, and he didn’t care.”

“I’ve never questioned how he feels about me. The situation is just weird. Can you imagine going to the baby shower of Chris’ ex-wife?”

“Totally different situation,” Tash says, waving me off. “Chris was actually dumb enough to marry that slut. He’s lucky I don’t kick his ass right now.” Tash’s face turns red, and I’m not sure if it’s from actual anger or the alcohol in her drink.

“Don’t put me into this. I was young, okay!” Chris says in his defense.

“You weren’t that young.”

“Tash, Chris is married to you now, so it doesn’t matter. But you see my point? See how riled up you got at just the thought?”

“I see your point, but the situation is different. I’ve met other women Chris has dated and my blood pressure doesn’t rise. One, she made her choice. She’s been happily married to Troy for five years. Two, she wants to put this whole thing behind her and just exist in this family. Three, if you don’t go, it will look like you’re harboring jealous feelings when there is nothing to be jealous about. Go. Bring a gift. Eat cake. Have fun.”

“I should put that on a t-shirt,” I snicker. “I’ll think about it.”

“She’ll think about it,” Chris says. “Girl, please. Listen, Dee. I admit, the situation between Jake, Troy, and Tracy is unconventional, but otherwise, this is a loving family. They’ve welcomed you. Embrace that. Don’t exclude yourself. Jake doesn’t exclude himself from this family, despite being scared shitless of your mother. All this shit happened way before you, and Jake is doing his best to put it behind him and move on. Don’t keep it going by separating yourself. If he’s what you want, commit and be present 100% of the time, otherwise you’re just punishing Jake.”

I nod at Chris’ words, and Tash kisses her husband.

“My husband is so wise,” she says.

“He’s okay,” I laugh, but I look over Tash’s head and mouth thank you to Chris. “Now, where’s dinner? I’m hungry.”

“Christopher, go grill our dinner. Now!” Tash says, loudly. So, it’s the alcohol.

“Yes, dear.”

CHAPTER 38

SANDY

TWO WEEKS LATER

“What are you staring at?” I give him a coy smile because I know exactly what he’s staring at. I turn around, and slowly bend down, pretending as if I’m picking something off the floor.

Before I can straighten up, he’s at my back, rubbing his hardness on my ass.

My dress is a simple, white sheath dress, with pink buttons on the side. It hugs my curves and tapers around my narrow waist.

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