Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Laiken’s expression relaxes in an instant. “That’s great, sweetheart. Keep showing her, okay?”
The little girl nods before spinning on her heel and skipping back to the living room.
We all watch her go, and I realize there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this group of guys. What I’ve learned is that blood isn’t the only thing that makes you family.
It’s showing up.
And all of us?
We’re just trying to figure it out as we go.
One messy, yogurt-covered day at a time.
25
Callie
When I step into Lakeshore Sweets, Sloane is already behind the counter with her sleeves rolled up and her hair twisted into a messy knot, restocking the pastry case with practiced ease. She looks up when the bell above the door chimes, shooting me a smile.
It’s the voices coming from the back of the shop that have me pausing.
I glance over and spot Lilah and Rina huddled at the corner table, a half-eaten cinnamon roll sitting between them. Rina’s laughing while Lilah gestures animatedly with her teacup like she’s mid-story.
I lift a hand and wave. “Hey. I didn’t know you two were stopping by this morning.”
Rina doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she gives me a slow once-over, eyes narrowing in a way that immediately makes me self-conscious.
“Hmmm. There’s something different about you,” she says, pointing her coffee stirrer at me.
“Is there?”
Sloane leans an elbow on the counter and raises an eyebrow. “Actually, Rina’s right. You’ve got that look.”
I blink. “What look?”
“The I-just-got-laid-and-I’m-still-enjoying-the-afterglow look,” Sloane says.
Lilah chokes on her tea, coughing into her sleeve as Rina smirks. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
The laugh that slips free is a little too quick and a little too loud. “Oh, come on. Give me a break.”
“Hold up.” Rina rises to her feet. “That was in no way a denial. It was more of a deflection. We’re onto you, girl.”
“You’re kind of scary, you know that?” I grumble as she saunters closer.
A wide grin spreads across her face. “Thank you. I always strive for intimidating with just a hint of menace sprinkled in.”
“Someday she might actually decide to use her powers for good instead of evil,” Lilah calls out.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Sloane says, already pouring a fresh pot of coffee. She grabs a honey lavender cruller from the case and sets it on a small plate. “But in the meantime, this definitely feels like a pastry-and-interrogation kind of morning.”
A few minutes later, we’re all gathered at the back table, our coffee cups steaming and a spread of sugary goodness set out between us. The cinnamon rolls are joined by a couple of croissants, the cruller, and something Sloane swears is the best lemon scone she’s ever made.
After a bite, I have to agree.
Delicious.
There’s a warm hum in my chest I didn’t expect. A feeling of comfort. Of being seen and understood.
Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of girlfriends. Not the kind who showed up for you without being asked, or teased you like this but would also go to war for you if needed. Somehow, without me even realizing it, these three have become exactly that for me.
They’re my people.
As I sit here, laughing with them, a little embarrassed and a lot grateful, I know I wouldn’t trade this for anything.
I wrap my hands around my mug as the warmth steadies me. “Okay, fine.” I meet their eyes one by one. “I’m staying with River.”
Three jaws drop in perfect sync. Sloane’s cruller falls back onto her plate. Lilah jerks forward so fast her elbow nearly knocks over her mug. And Rina just blinks at me, stunned, like her brain is buffering.
Sloane’s the first to recover. “Staying with him… or staying with him?”
I lift a brow. “Is there a difference?”
“Uh, yeah,” Lilah says. “The first one means you’re sleeping under the same roof. The second means you’re sleeping under him.”
Rina lets out a bark of laughter. “You did not just say that.”
Sloane leans in. “We’re gonna need you to start from the very beginning, and don’t you dare leave anything out. And if you skip the spicy parts, I’m quitting on the spot.”
A gurgle of laughter bursts out before I can rein it back in. When my chuckles fade, what’s left feels lighter.
Freer.
Like the weight I’ve been carrying isn’t quite so crushing with these three sitting beside me.
And yeah, maybe nothing about River and me is easy. Maybe it’s messy and complicated and full of things I don’t know how to say out loud. But right now, with their expectant faces and warm drinks and easy camaraderie, I realize that I don’t have to necessarily figure it out alone.
Rina blinks again. Then once more. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her rendered speechless. “I’m sorry, did I just black out? I’m almost positive you just said you’re staying with River Thompson. As in your ex’s best friend. The same guy you refused to make eye contact with a few weeks ago.”