Page 242 of The Baby Bargain
Chloe and Dean continue making out.
"Well, that's too bad. You're gonna have to wait for my girl to get here." Wes shrugsyou wish you could see.
"Yeah, Quinn is going to fuck you in front of us," I say. "That's plausible."
"You don't know." Wes's smile gets wicked. "And you don't get to know."
"So, why are you offering us a show?" Brendon asks.
"'Cause he's trying to winmost annoying person in the room." Forest breathes through his laughter. Slowly, he straightens himself. He looks at Wes like he's ridiculous. "Competition is tight with Chase as a boss."
"I've been difficult so far?" I've been Forest's boss for the last month or so. But only technically. Inked Love is up and running starting tomorrow. Which means I'm stepping into an actual boss roll tomorrow.
Tonight…
I guess it's my last night as one of the guys. Shit changes when you're the boss. It has to.
"We'll see." Forest refills his empty glass. Holds it up.
I clink glasses.
The door swings open.
Hunter steps inside.
The whole room goes silent.
Everyone knows I'm a miserable fucker.
I'm the only one who can change it. I want to change it. I want to be a better guy.
A guy worthy of Ariel.
A guy worthy of a family.
But when I open my mouth, nothing comes out. I nodhey.
Hunter holds up a bottle of sparkling cider. Wes pulls him aside to gossip about something.
Slowly, the mood shifts back to teasing fun. But it never gets quite there.
* * *
Bit by bit,the party fills. Ryan and Leighton hang out with Walker and Iris.
Holden brings a cute girl.
Emma and Kaylee come together. And stay together, away from their respective boyfriends.
Hunter stays away from me.
Skye and Ariel arrive last.
Ariel's in one of her tight black dresses and she's glowing.
Under the soft string lights, she looks like an angel.
Her red lips curl into a smile. She's wearing makeup today—all courtesy of Skye. But surprisingly restrained. Ariel has something highlighting her eyes, whereas Skye looks like—
