Page 38 of The Hat Trick

Chandler is curled on her side, facing me while Vince is wrapped almost completely around her from behind. Her hand is on my chest, her head resting close to my shoulder. I slide out from under her carefully, trying not to wake either of them.

I’m pretty sure I succeed, even after pulling on my sweatpants, and heading out of my room, downstairs to the kitchen. I do what I typically do every morning because I like keeping my routine in place, despite last night being anything but routine for me. I start brewing some coffee and pull-out ingredients for omelets.

As I’m cooking the first plate, I hear someone enter the kitchen, and turn around to see Dumont. He’s only in his boxer briefs like he lives here. I just shake my head, focusing on not burning the food. I also don’t know what to say to him. This is uncharted territory, and I don’t know how to feel about it. I don’t know howhefeels about it. I mean, I know he was saying he was okay with it, but I wonder if seeing me actually fuck her made him change his mind. Made him realize this isn’t something he’s okay with, and the fight will begin.

Or, even worse, I won’t get the chance to touch her again.

He grabs himself a mug and fills it with the freshly brewed coffee before sitting down on the other side of the island. Neither of us saying anything, and I can’t help the anticipation that my fear is going to come true. I should say something first, get ahead of it and shoot down any idea of this happening again.

“Look, Dumont—”

“Don’t get weird on me, Collee,” he interrupts.

I furrow my brow at him. “What?”

“I’m good with last night, I won’t speak for her, but I’m pretty sure Chandler is too. So, don’t get weird on me.”

I smother my small laugh. It’s like he was reading my mind, and knew what I was going to say.

“So, are you good?” he asks when I don’t say anything.

I nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Cool, now whatever you’re making better be for me.”

I don’t hold back my laughter this time. “Fuck off, this one is mine.”

Before I turn back to face the stove again, I see Chandler descending the stairs, and she’s wearingmyt-shirt. Not Dumont’s jersey again, and for some reason that makes my heart speed up in my chest.

Dumont looks back to see her, and instantly gets up from his seat, swooping her around the waist, and kissing her. She squeaks in surprise before throwing her arms around his neck and embracing his dominating kiss. I look away, not needing to see it now that we aren’t naked in a bed and finish the first omelet.

Once it’s plated, I feel arms wrapping around me from behind, and her body pressing against my back. She’s so much shorter than me, the top of her head reaches just below my shoulder blades. I turn around, and she gives me a tentative look which I immediately lean down to kiss her face. Instead of Dumont’s rough kiss, I kiss her softly. Teasing her lips with my tongue before sliding it in softly. She moans quietly and pulls me by the waist to press against her harder.

I break the kiss and meet her lusty hazel eyes. “Hungry?” I ask.

She nods, but I’m not sure if she wants actual food. I hand her the plate with the fresh breakfast I just made, and she gives me a small smile.

“This looks great,” she says, taking it over to the island, next to Dumont.

“Hey, wait, I thought you said that one was for you,” he complains as I start making another one.

“And now it’s hers, don’t be selfish, Dumont.”

He scoffs, and I catch him trying to steal bites from Chandler, but she doesn’t let him, and I can’t help but smile watching them together. Something that’s felt missing in my life feels like it’s now sitting in my kitchen, like family. Since mine is so fucked up, this feels right. Like how it’s supposed to be.

“Do you have any plans on Christmas Eve, baby?” Dumont asks.

I glance back to see her think for a second before shaking her head. I think I know where this is going before he even says it, and my shoulders bunch.

“We have this charity gala we are going to, and you should come with,” he offers easily.

“I don’t think that’s such a great idea, do you?” I ask him.

“Why not?” he shrugs.

Chandler looks between us. “Well, maybe I don’t even want to go.”

“Why?” he asks her.

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