Page 83 of Faking Ties

“Stay for the day,” I say, bringing her some plain toast in bed.

“I don’t want to be in your way. I can save Jake from my friends, and we can be out of your hair in no time.”

“You aren’t a burden, and I promise you’ll be happy if you do stay.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m getting a dog.”

“Am I still drunk? Because I thought you said you’re getting a dog.”

I snort. “You heard me right.”

She squeals and tackles me onto the bed, peppering kisses all over my face. “You better adopt and not buy because there are so many animals needing a home and—” She breaks off and looks down at the shirt she’s wearing. “Shit. Wait, I don’t have any clothes here. Rachel will have a fit if I’m photographed wearing my dress from last night twice.”

I rub my hands over her thighs that are straddling me. “We can buy whatever you need from the mall.”

“Better idea, let me borrow some of your clothes and let’s go to Target.” She kisses me again and moves to get off me, but I hold her in place. She flashes me a smile and says, “We can also get some dog toys and a bed there.”

She bounces in excitement, and my dick grows impossibly harder. “Good idea. And while we’re there maybe you can help me prepare for the team coming over tonight?”

“Is this part of the bonding thing you’re doing?”

“It is,” I say. “I offered to host the next event here and I don’t know…maybe they won’t come. We just had one a few days ago.” I’ve never had anyone other than Quincy and Jake over. Sure, I like to party, but I don’t like to host. I’m not sure what possessed me to offer up my place after the public-speaking event, but here we are. And I have no idea what to do.

“They’ll come,” she says confidently.

“We’ll see…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you take care of everything.”

“Yes.” I pull down my shorts and guide her bare pussy over my dick. “Let’s take care ofeverything.”

Aria,Nina, and Elodie stride into Target wearing borrowed men’s sweatpants and T-shirts. They should look ridiculous, but it’s hot as hell to see Elodie in my clothes, even if they’re too big for her.

“Coffee,” Nina demands.

“And sugar,” Elodie chimes in.

“And sunglasses,” Aria says. “What about you two”—she lifts her chin toward Jake and me—“get our drinks and we’ll go find some sunglasses.”

“Sure,” I say. “Jake will take a note on his phone of your orders.”

Jake frowns but does as I propose, patiently typing in each of the complicated drink orders. Once we’re in line, I ask him, “How was last night? They give you any trouble?”

“They’re a handful.” Jake looks toward the women who are giggling as they try on what appears to be every single pair of sunglasses on the rack. “I found them dancing on the top of a bar and had to carry them out. Literally. Nina screamed and acted like I was kidnapping her, and Aria kept cackling like it was the funniest thing in the world. And then they tried to kick me out of my room and make me sleep somewhere else because my sheets were soft.”

“And?” I ask. “Did you sleep somewhere else?”

“Of fucking course I did.” Jake rubs the back of his neck. “Nina’s scary. I genuinely feared for my life when I tried to protest the change and Nina threatened me with a fork. And Aria? She kept lying down in random spots in the room with her hands in the air. It was the strangest night of my life.”

“Sounds to me like it was a good time.”

“You’re just saying that because they’re your girl’s best friends. Good luck dealing with that.” He waves a hand toward the women.

I snort. “Ella likes them, which means I’ll handle anything they throw my way with a smile on my face.”

“You’re so whipped.”

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