Page 25 of Sweet

“Did you want something else?”

Fuck, all the blood rushes to my cock at that question and he’s smiling not so innocently at me this time. “You don’t need to give me anything,” I say as calmly as I can manage.

“Good answer.” He nudges the jar at me again. “I already broke the seal. You may as well keep your earnings. Or if you prefer, I’ll bill you later.”

Bailey chuckles and I laugh along with him before taking the small jar. The same hand he licked brushes mine for a brief second and I’m definitely jacking off with that one tonight. I’mabout to pat myself on the back for a job well done when his expression shifts and he tilts his head.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” Bailey says.

And there goes my ability to speak. I nod.

“Are you and Jesse… like…” He pauses and scrunches his brows. “Sorry if this is too personal. I’m trying to ask if you two are… together.”

“Not too personal.” I’m trying so hard not to freak out because my hopes are already sky high with this line of questioning. “We’re… something. Not quite together, though.”

Bailey visibly exhales.

I just may drop to the ground and convulse. Can anticipation even do that to a person?

“Sorry, I know he’s your friend and… I didn’t mean to make this awkward.”

“Not at all.”

Bailey lights up like a Christmas tree and my fucking guts feel as if they’re going to fall out. “He and I… um… we’re supposed to go out today after the market. I hope you don’t mind.”

Ugh. This man. So damn sweet. Leave it to him to consider something like that when most guys wouldn’t give a damn about fidelity—theirs or anyone else’s. Even so, I absolutely do mind. I don’t want to share either of them with anyone, least of all step to the side so Jess and Bailey can have each other. That’s not how this works and I’m going to have to remedy it immediately.

“It’s all good.” I smile at Bailey before I turn to leave. “Thanks for the honey.”

Chapter eleven

Cas

Sunday has simultaneously become the best and worst day. I’ve enjoyed the farmer’s market ever since I started going, but Will’s presence has complicated the experience for me. I look forward to seeing him. And yet, without fail, something happens that makes me all twitchy inside and I have to work to hide it. When that one older guy (who loves to flirt while his wife browses) stops to talk to him, I pause to glare instead of continuing the task at hand. I don’t want him so much astalkingto other people—because he should be doing that withme. And when his gaze lands elsewhere, I have to fight the urge to make a scene. The kind where I gouge out someone’s eyes so they can’t look back at Will again. Or the kind that’ll make him look in my direction, however briefly. When we’re texting or on the phone, I get to be his entire world. Out here, not so much. And it’s nothing short ofinfuriatingfor me.

My phone dings in my pocket after I leave the farmer’s market. I have plans to meet someone at the coffee shop in town, but I’mstill waiting for him to arrive. So, after a quick look around, I decide to check my messages in the meantime.

Purple Puppy:I’m having a rough day.

Purple Puppy:Make it better.

And a frown.

Orchid Mantis:How do you propose I do that?

Purple Puppy:Send me a video of you fucking yourself.

And a smile. As if the smiley somehow will tip the scales of my decision.

Orchid Mantis:No.

Purple Puppy:Too much?

Back to the frown.

Orchid Mantis:Simple logistics. I can’t talk on the phone and record at the same time.

Purple Puppy:Record it before I call you.

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