Page 18 of Jack

“Can I have one of the lemon drizzle slices please, and more coffee?” Kady asks.

“I will have a salted caramel latte, please, Mads.”

Tree is looking at the menu on the wall, then gives her order of a passion fruit and mango juice, with a banana muffin.

Even though I wanted to make big extravagant cakes, with big sugar structures, I loved the idea of people coming into my little shop to enjoy a treat and relax, to unwind. My orders come from online as well as in store. It was only last month that I had to make a fruit bowl with little insects on it for some college event.

Once Casey is gone, I look at my cousin, then down to the now sleeping baby in my arms.

“I am going to the wedding,” I divulge.

“Lilith, can I give you a bit of advice?” Kady asks, leaning forward to remove her son from my arms.

She settles him in his stroller; it is unreal how much he looks like Calder.

“Go to the wedding,” she urges. “But wear what you want to wear. Go shopping to get the dress that you want, one thatscreams Lilith Cullen. Do your hair however the hell you want it too, honey. Fuck your mother and sister, and cousin and the dick I have no doubt that she is sharing.”

I giggle at the last part.

“Sweetie, Vanessa knows deep down that he will cheat on her. Once a cheater, always a cheater. So have that in mind every time you think of them— that she is having this inner turmoil of wondering where her cheating husband is.” Kady winks at me.

“I never thought of it like that. I used to hate when he would not come home from work. Or he would shower before climbing into bed. So many red flags and I refused to see them, but I am not that girl anymore. The relationship I am in will end if I see anything that makes me think they are cheating.”

“Atta girl.” Kady holds her hand up for me to high-five, and Tree rolls her eyes at us.

“We can go shopping.” Tree smiles. “I believe that you already have a date.” My eyes flash open, my mouth matching as I look at her, shocked by what she just said.

“What? My husband could not keep a secret if his life depended on it, especially when it comes to his twin brother.”

“Is Jack taking you to the wedding as your date?” Kady screeches.

I drop my gaze to my lap, my heated cheeks burning, as I look at the rings on my fingers. Kady was always the loud, flirty one; being around men never bothers her. Whereas with me, I was, and still am, the shy one. Even seeing a guy wink at me makes me blush.

My pale skin doesn’t help me hide it either.

Picturing Jack’s built body stuffed into a tux makes my body tingle. Seeing him in his casual jeans, T-shirt, and cut makes my body hum with desire for him. I can only imagine what he looks like naked, with his hard muscles, smooth sun-kissed skin, and tattoos.

I love a man with big arms, and Jack has that in spades.

“He is.” I bite the corner of my lip thinking about how he kissed me, the feel of his lips on mine, the way his hands felt against my skin.

That man could do sinful things to my body, and I want him to. Never with Christopher did I enjoy sex, but I have a feeling that Jack will make sure that I feel good, as well as him.

“There is more to this story. Tell me, give me the tea as the kids say,” Kady sang excitedly.

“Juni is rubbing off on you.” Tree laughs at her sister.

“Jack kissed me,” I blurt out.

“Finally. Praise the Lord on all biker almighty. It is about damned time, cuz.”

“Did you enjoy it? I ask because Royal kisses like he was born to do it, and I would imagine them being twins they kiss the same. I do not know how that works,” Tree rambles.

“I did. Is it crazy that a few kisses made me feel beautiful and wanted?” I ask them.

“A few? How are we only now hearing about this? We are sisters, Lilith Cullen, you tell us everything. We all love a good gossip session about our men,” Kady gushes.

I giggle at her words. Seeing both of my cousins smiling at me like they had just won the lottery makes my heart happy. I know that they have always wanted the best for me and me them, but seeing it and hearing it makes me think that I am not as damaged as my mother makes me out to be.

---