Page 37 of The Forever After Bet

I crawl off the bed, pick up Ford’s discarded shirt, and pull it on. He gets up putting his boxer briefs on. I search the floor for my panties, but I can’t find them, so I bend over to look under the bed.

“Those are some sweet cheeks,” Ford says, patting my butt. He dangles my pink panties in front of me. “Are you looking for these?” I try to grab them, but he’s faster than me.

“You’re wearing your undies.” I pout.

Ford tips his head back, laughing. “I do not wear undies. I wear boxer briefs.”

“Okay, fine. May I please have my undies?”

He walks up, leaning in close to me. “You can for a kiss.”

I flick my tongue out against his mouth, then press my lips to his. He wraps his arms around me, tipping me backward. When he sits me up, I wobble, feeling unsteady. “Um, what’s my name again?” I tilt my head at Ford, then shake it.

“Oh, Hanny! Thanks for the ego boost.” He gives me a big kiss on the cheek.

I swipe my panties out of his hands. “I’m going to use the bathroom. Will you reheat some of the lemon pasta for me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

When I come out of the bathroom, Ford is putting another batch of cookies in the oven. I glance at the pan and then at the plate of cookies on the table. “I want a warm cookie. Don’t worry, I’ll eat those too.”

“I have no doubt. You have a thing for cookies.”

“Yes, I do, except for oatmeal raisin cookies. Those should be outlawed. Who wants to eat a shriveled grape in a cookie? Yuck.” Ford makes a face and pretends to gag.

“But those are my favorite.” I pout and make my bottom lip tremble.

Ford wraps his arm around my neck, pulling me to him. “Stop it.” He laughs, tracing his thumb over my lower lip. “Your favorite cookies are sugar cookies. More specifically, the banana cream pie sugar cookies from Twisted Soda.”

“Ah, you do love me.” I tease, squeezing his side. He jerks away from my hand but doesn’t release me.

“Hell, ya, I do. What’s my favorite cookie?”

I tilt my head. “Really? Its snickerdoodle cookies.”

“Are you sure it’s not these chocolate chip cookies my gran makes?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” I reach up, kissing his chin.

“Yeah, okay, you’re right.” Ford lets go of me and takes our leftovers from dinner out of the fridge. “I have this thing for sugar and cinnamon. That’s why I love Gigi’s chocolate chip cookies, because she puts cinnamon in them.”

“They are good cookies. I’m sure she’s an amazing cook. I should get some pointers from her; or when we’re married, you’ll be doing all the cooking.” That’s when I realize what I’ve said. Our getting married is the one topic we haven’t discussed. I turn around and walk toward the family room. I want to escape into the bathroom, but I only make it two steps before Ford grabs my hand, stopping me. He comes and stands behind me, sliding his arms around my waist.

“I’m okay with doing all the cooking, as long as you help me with the dishes.” He kisses the top of my head.

I turn in his arms so I’m facing him. “I can do that.”

“Then we have a deal.” He cups a hand around my cheek. “I’ll keep my promise.”

My emotions are overwhelming, so I nod and wrap my arms around Ford, hugging him.

We reheat dinner leftovers and eat freshly baked cookies while we sit on the sofa with Strictly Ballroom playing on low in the background. “Jack called me when I walked Gigi back to the house.”

“Did you tell him what was going on?”

“Yeah, I texted Ty when we were in Gigi’s family room after you’d fallen asleep. I let him know I wouldn’t make it over to his house. Jack was still at work.”

“What did he have to say?” I ask, biting my lip.

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