Page 63 of Delayed Penalty

The only challenge was that once I was with Peter—after Harris had broken my heart—I didn’t trust anyone.

Even my fiancé.

“You’re right, Sawyer, there’s obviously no denying that,” I say, my cheeks heating again but I just let it. “We let things get carried away one night, the night after the bar and well, let’s just say it was hot.”

“Oh?” Gwen says. “Do share with the class.”

“Umm,” I say, looking at the girls who are all eagerly awaiting the story and well, fuck it. Might as well share, I’m already pregnant so they know we’ve fucked, and it sounds like none of these girls have a filter either. “Well, I was looking for him after we went out, and his bedroom door just happened to be open. I went in and saw the bathroom door was also open,” I say, grabbing my glass of water and chugging some, my nerves making me parched. “I went to peek, to see if he was okay, and well, I definitely found him.”

“Oh? What did you see?”

“Umm, when I walked in he was in the shower taking care of hisneeds. I froze in place the second I realized what he was doing, unable to turn away it was like my eyes were locked on. It was so fucking hot,” I say, surprised with how open I’m being, but I don’t regret it. I’ve heard these girls talk, they have no filter, so I don’t care that I’m being blunt with this.

“Yeah? What happened next?” Ellie asks. “Nothing is hotter to me than watching Trevor touch himself. I don’t even understand it, but it’s just delicious seeing him in the middle of it, all on his own.”

“Oh, it was hot all right. But I got scared and tried to leave.”

“Tried?” Gwen says with a laugh. “If you wanted to leave, why couldn’t you?”

“Harris noticed me and… called me back. Apparently, I’m incapable of saying no to that man, and that’s when things changed. I ended up joining him… on my knees.”

“Hell yeah, you did, girlfriend!” Sawyer says, reaching across the table and high fiving me. It feels like I’ve been welcomed into the group which is what I blame for the over-sharing that proceeds.

“I didn’t stay there. After he finished, he returned the favor… lifting me up onto his shoulders where he decided to show me just how starved he was. After that, he carried me to his bed where we laid until we fell asleep.”

“That’s so fucking hot,” Gwen says. “There’s something about these men, their strength, their athletic ability, it’s something else when we get to see them use those skills in the bedroom. Or, in your case, the shower.”

“No lies detected,” Ellie adds, right as Stella makes her way to our table.

I met her the other night when we told everyone we’re expecting, and she was so nice to me, even after I didn’t shut up about her food. I figured she would think I was crazy but instead she just beamed at the compliment and we hit it off.

“Today has been the busiest day ever,” she says as she takes a seat next to Sawyer. “Sometimes, I wish I had a bakery in a smaller town, not in the middle of New York City.”

“I don’t think it’s the location that has you as busy as you are. I’m almost positive it’s the bagels. And the rest of your delicious food,” Ellie says.

“Facts. Your food, especially the baked goods, are the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

“Don’t let Harris hear that, he might get a complex.” Cassie winks, and I’m blushing again

“I meant food, but between us, your bagels win regardless.”

“She’s not wrong,” Ellie adds, and we all start laughing.

The rest of the afternoon feels like a dream. We spend time talking, laughing, and telling stories. It was nice being able to share stories of when Harris and I first met, telling them about a side of Harris they aren’t used to.

Truthfully, I wonder if it’s a side of Harris that anyone besides me has seen, and I love that. Stella doesn’t get to hang out with us for too long, and before we know it she’s making her way back to the counter when a group of people make their way in. I don’t think anything of it, just listen to the girls talking and realize that for once I’m happy with the people in my life.

Until I hear his voice.

“Well, if it isn’t my skanky ex-fiancée.”

The sound of his voice is like nails on a chalkboard, and I have to force myself to look his way. Unfortunately, I see he’s not alone, his parents are on either side of him, bringing up the back and they both look pissed

Definitely not a good feeling when his mom is my boss.

“Hello, Peter,” I choke out, but I don’t miss the girls sharing a look out of the corner of my eyes, a wave of embarrassment hitting me that they are having to witness this. Turning to his parents, I offer them a hello which neither return.

Fucking great.

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