Page 21 of Jayce

Relief washes over me when I realize that I have the house to myself. I pour a double shot of whiskey over ice followed by diet coke before closing myself up in my bedroom.

“Alexa, play my playlist.” Wouldn’t you know Alexa plays Shaboozey’s, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

I slip my pants off and hop into bed. The urinary tract pain I’ve come to recognize as my tell when I’m stressed, flared up on my way back to the house.

With coconut oil all over my thumb, I shove the appendage into my vagina for my stretches. All the pressure points of my pelvic floor are spicy, as Dr. Lanny calls it. I hold my thumb in place along each point longer than the thirty seconds recommended. Deep inhale, clench on the exhale, and hold. I do this at least five times on each spot.

After I’ve stretched all seven zones and both layers that my thumb can reach, I grab my pelvic floor wand for the area I can’t. Dr. Lanny says a partner helping with that layer is more efficient, but since I don’t have a partner, I must settle for the curvy looking device.

Just as I finish, my phone pings with a text. Thinking it’s Cill, I turn it over to see what she wants. Only it’s not my sister.

Tomorrow night? I’d love to try your eggs.

How did Jayce get my number?

I toss my head back on my pillow. Leaving him on read, I climb out of the bed for a shower and another drink.

Chapter 16

Jayce

I’m just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rings. I slip on a pair of shorts and hurry to see who it is.

Since Shay never responded to my text last night, it takes me by surprise to see her standing on the other side in a pale green romper with flip-flops. Her hair’s pulled back in a messy bun.

In her hands, she’s holding three cartons of eggs, a stick of butter, and two loaves of bread.

“Are you going to let me in, or are you going to stare at me all night?” She adds her own adorable wink to her question.

I step aside while running my fingers through my wet hair. After last night, I thought for sure I wouldn’t see her for a while. I’ve run the whole evening through my mind on repeat dozens of times, trying to figure out what pushed her away, but I come up empty each time. Will I ever understand her? She’s a wonderful mystery. I’m determined to unravel everything about her, with or without clues.

Shay makes a beeline for the kitchen at the back of my living room. It’s an open floor plan, so I can watch all her moves from where I stand. She opens cabinet after cabinet clearly looking for a skillet.

She hasn’t asked for my help, so I choose to enjoy watching her fumble around.

I consider putting a shirt on, but where’s the fun in that? She surprised me, and unless she objects, I’ll remain as I am.

I pull up a barstool after she finds a large bowl and whisk for the eggs.

“Are you feeding an army?” I need to know since she’s cracked all the eggs from the cartons.

Before she can answer, the door opens, and in walks Damian and Nikolaos, followed by Priscilla and Anjal.

“I heard we’re having egg sandwiches. I wouldn’t miss that for anything,” Damian jests. He never turns down food.

The onslaught of visitors sends me for the shirt I refused to put on.

If Shay thinks having our family here will deter me, she’s wrong. I can play games too.

With a tank top on that hugs my muscles, I head back to the kitchen. Priscilla is pouring mimosas, and the others are sitting on the stools surrounding the island.

While Shay’s stirring the eggs, I walk up behind her, press my body against hers, and kiss her neck. “Smells good,” I say into her ear, making sure my lips graze the tip.

I’ve blocked her in, giving her no choice but to stay where she is. I snag a slice of bread next to her. That she shivered under my body and didn’t tense up gives me hope.

“No one said public displays of affection were on the menu,” Nikolaos says with a raised champagne glass.

“You know where the door is if you don’t like it.” I look over at Anjal, who’s got Priscilla wrapped in his arms while she sips her drink. She’s resting comfortably against his chest, watching her sister closely. I place one more kiss on Shay’s neck, it’s her fault for wearing her hair up, then I give her space to finish.

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