Page 55 of Losing Ansley

"Those two have gotten close," I state, and Caroline nods as she sips her sweet tea.

"They've bonded over the fact they're convinced they'll be sister-in-laws one day." She states, and my mouth gapes open.

"What?!?" I exclaim, and Liv breaks out in laughter next to me. Caroline motions to Bailey.

"Mainly, my sister has convinced Bec that she will marry Connor, and Bailey will marry Julian. Now they need to convince the guys." Caroline explains. My mouth pops open as I look between Bailey and Bec and then out the back door to Connor and Julian on the back porch.

"How old is Bailey?" I ask Caroline, and she snorts.

"She just turned twenty-one, and Julian is her professor. It was fun finding that out. She had been talking to me about this professor she had a crush on, and I knew Connor's brother was a professor, but I didn't put two and two together. Connor was having a get-together at his house one day, and Bec told me to invite her, so I did and…" Caroline trails off. "Well, let's just say things got interesting." She motions to Bec and Bailey to do the dance game.

"Now they're both doing this to annoy the shit out of Julian and Connor." She takes another sip of her drink.

"Why will this annoy them?" I ask, and Liv chuckles next to me.

"Because they want to watch college football." She states, and I grin, shaking my head. "I think they're doing it for attention too. Bec is used to Connor looking at her as a little sister, but when Bailey wants something, she's like a dog with a bone. Of course, Julian has some hang-ups because he's a lot older than her, and he's her professor." Liv looks over and smirks.

"Has he finally admitted he has a thing for her?" Liv asks. Caroline scoffs.

"Oh! He has a thing for her." That's all she says, so we drop it. At the lull in the conversation, I tell them about my boutique idea and the possibility of me moving back home. They both hug me, excited at the thought. Liv lays her head on my shoulder.

"I want you away from that guy Ansley." She murmurs, and I pat her knee as Caroline curls into me. I've missed my girls so much.

"Me too." Caroline mumbles. I sigh.

"Yeah. Now that I know about those accusations against him, I dread returning to work. On Monday, when I went to clean up my area, I was on guard all day. By the time I left, I was so tense my body was actually sore. I don't know if I can handle that every single day." I admit. Wanting to change the subject, I turn to Caroline.

"How are you feeling? Have you felt the baby kick yet?" Caroline beams.

"I've felt flutterings, but nothing anyone else will be able to feel yet. Sebastian is jealous, but I promised him I'd let him as soon as I thought he could feel it." She chuckles and shakes her head. "We're going to one of those gender reveal places the week before Thanksgiving, so we'll know what we're having before you return." She sits up suddenly. Liv and I stare at her.

"What's wrong?" Liv asks.

"Nothing. We should do a Friendsgiving at my and Sebastian's house. We finally cleaned up the dining room. There's enough space in there for all of us. Ansley, you can invite your brother. It would be fun!" She sounds so excited I find myself nodding. I go back to Atlanta the week after Thanksgiving.

"That sounds like fun, Care," Liv responds before I can.

"Yeah." I agree. "I'm not much of a cook, though…." Caroline scoffs.

"Me either. I am trying to learn, but Sebastian does most of our cooking. On Thanksgiving day, we're having dinner with his parents, my mom, and Bailey. Maybe we could do Friendsgiving on Friday and have it catered." I nod along. Bec and Bailey overhear our conversation, so they come over and sit on the floor in front of us. Liv looks at them.

"What do you two think? Want to come?" Liv asks, and they both nod.

"Sounds like fun to me!" Bailey states as she pulls her strawberry blond hair over her shoulder and begins to braid it. Caroline claps her hands.

"This could become a new tradition. I'm actually looking forward to the holidays this year. Sebastian, let me start decorating for Christmas already." Everyone goes silent at her admission, and my heart breaks for her all over again. Her face falls, and Bailey reaches out and intertwines their fingers.

"Hey, sis. This year is going to be the best Christmas ever." Bailey encourages her, and Caroline nods.

"Sorry. Sebastian is nothing like Brandon. I didn't mean for it to sound like I needed his permission." Caroline mumbles. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and hug her.

"You're unlearning a lot, Care. You don't have to apologize. That jackass did a number on you, and now you're learning what it's like to be in a healthy relationship. I can't wait to come to see your decorations." I tell her, and her smile returns. She rubs her shoulder against mine.

"You and Liv should come over tomorrow for a girl's day. Sebastian and Connor have a guy's day planned." I glance at Liv, and we both nod eagerly.

"SO, WHAT DIDJulian have to say?" I ask Lincoln as I watch him unbutton his shirt and shrug it off. He smirks at me, and I shrug as I begin to undress. I turn around and motion to the zipper on my jumpsuit. He unzips it but runs his fingers down my spine, causing goosebumps to break out along my skin. He pulls away, and I let the jumpsuit drop to the ground, bending down to grab it, giving him an ample glance at my thong-clad ass.

I stand and turn around to face him, enjoying the look of desire on his face. He unbuttons his slacks and pushes them down his hips as his eyes run over my body. My tongue wets my lips.

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