Damn it. I’m about to recollect this morning, that goddamn kiss.
“Uh, okay, so, you know everything that happened last night. Nothing new to report there. I was getting our coffees and Mason walked in, looking all . . . whatever. You saw him. He explained to me in a very private alley a few blocks down that he wants more with me. Like talking, and . . . dates, I guess, before all the sex stuff. He wants to know me first. How crazy is that?”
I chuckle awkwardly. Everyone else remains silent.
Crickets. All of a sudden, I’m surrounded by crickets.
I do another lap around the room. “So, that’s basically it. He asked me if I can give him that. More. I didn’t really answer. I mean, I kind of did. Not really. Oh, and he kissed me. On the mouth.”
“As opposed to . . .”
I snap my head up to look at Joey, then drop it into a quick nod. “Right. That’s it. That’s all that happened.”
Dylan sets her piping bag down. “I take it the kiss was good? You seem a bit wound up.”
Good?
No. It was fucking phenomenal.
I limply shrug as I grab two baking racks off the shelf.
I’ve confessed enough sins today. They don’t need to know how wet I got from fifteen seconds of making out.
“I like him,” Joey beams, resting his chin on his hand.
“Me too,” Dylan smiles at me. “Brooke?”
I set the racks on the worktop. My next words come as I keep my head down and my hands busy. “You know what I like? Working. Getting a paycheck. Orgasms are also nice, which I doubt come with liking this guy, so, no. I don’t like him. How many special orders do we have today? Three? We need to get started. I need to get started. And God, I need to eat something before I collapse.”
I shuffle up to the front and murder a cupcake.
Brown sugar praline. It never stands a chance.
I’m the last one to arrive at The Tavern later that night. I decide to blame my lateness on the traffic, not the forty-plus minutes I spend getting ready, or the pacing I do around Billy and Joey’s condo.
“Traffic? What traffic? It’s not rush-hour.”
My sister Juls quickly calls me out on my lie after I explain my tardiness. I pretend I don’t hear her as I slowly sip my Long Island and gage the crowd. Imagine Dragons pumps through the speakers overhead. My foot taps along to the beat.
Ian returns with a few beers for the table. “Two dollar beers. I fucking love college night.”
Reese reaches for his mug, his other arm permanently fixated around Dylan. “Don’t you feel old being here with this crowd? I feel like everyone’s looking at me like I’m a chaperone.” He tugs at the knot in his tie, loosening it.
Joey chuckles. “Uh, no. They’re looking at you ‘cause you’re a DILF.”
Reese frowns. “A what?”
“A DILF.” Dylan rests her head on his shoulder, grinning. “Dad I’d like to fuck.”
“Get the hell out of here,” he mutters, lifting his beer to his mouth.
“You’re sexy, Reese. Own it.” Joey holds up his mug. “You know who else is sexy?” He quickly kisses Billy. “Besides my baby.”
I swirl my straw around in my glass. A group of women giggle obnoxiously at the next table. One of them nearly falls off her stool.
The drinks must be flowing over there.
“Brooke.”
My eyes lift to Joey’s. “What?”
“I asked a question.”
“So?”
He gapes at me, then sweeps a hand in front of him. “So . . . would you like to let the table know who you think is sexy? Everyone is dying to hear what you have to say.”
Jesus. He is laying it on thick tonight.
I stand and smooth the hem of my dress down. No need to partake in this conversation.
“Me. I think I’m sexy as hell.” I blow Joey a kiss. “Be back. I’m going to hit up the ladies’.”
Joey rolls his eyes, mumbling something under his breath before he turns to Billy and engages him in conversation. I move past them, heading for the crowd I need to get through to reach the restrooms.