Page 88 of Someone You Deserve

“I hope so.”

With one last hug, I release her and stand from the bed. “I guess I need to talk to Astrid now.”

“Make sure you do it in person, that way she can see the sincerity in your eyes. And she can’t hide. Remember that our bodies can say just as much, if not more than words do.”

If that’s the case, then I’m pretty sure Astrid already knows how I feel. Now it’s time for her to hear it, and for me to get over the guilt of wanting her once and for all.

Chapter fourteen

Astrid

“Do you think I brought enough snacks?” Hazel asks as she, Willow, and I stare at the smorgasbord on my kitchen counter.

“Um, I think you could feed an army with this feast,” I say. “Seriously, how many people are you expecting?”

Hazel bites her lip and winces. “I honestly don’t know.”

My head snaps in her direction. “Come again?”

“I literally texted everyone that I could think of because we never get to have get-togethers like this,” she argues.

Willow’s gaze bounces between the two of us. “Um, I know I’m new here, but is this something you guys do often, or…?”

“Willow, I assure you, we have never thrown a passion party together. This is definitely a first for me and Hazel.”

Hazel huffs out a breath. “Well, weshouldbe doing this more. I mean, why is it always the boys that get to hang out together? Always bro-ing out in their man caves.” Then she looks at Willow. “Well, until you came along, that is.”

Willow points a finger to her chest. “Me? What did I do?”

Hazel shakes her head. “Nothing. In fact, I’m so glad you’re here because now Dallas is far less grumpy than he was before. But he’s definitely not hanging out with the guys as much now.”

“He has access to regular sex now, so I’m sure that takes priority.” Willow winks.

“And that’s also probably why he’s far less grumpy,” I add, making Hazel gag.

“Don’t remind me that you’re banging my brother, okay?”

“You brought it up,” Willow reminds her.

“I know. I guess I just wanted something to look forward to, you know? It’s not like there’s a man in my life oranyaction for that matter, if you catch my drift.”

Willow and I stare around the house at all of the penis décor and phallic-shaped foods. “I couldn’t tell,” I say, teasing her as she rolls her eyes.

“I’m happy for you, Willow. Really, especially after everything that brought you and my brother together.”

“Thank you, but don’t give up hope, Hazel.

Hazel nudges me with her shoulder. “At least I’m not the only single one left, am I right?”

“Um, yeah...” I don’t dare correct her. That is not a conversation we need to have tonight, when I’m going to be shopping for sex toys for me and her older brother.

Willow shoots me a knowing look, but luckily the doorbell rings before she can call my bluff.

In a matter of twenty minutes, my house is full of over thirty women of varying ages. It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of the turnout, but it seems a lot of women in Carrington Cove are in need of sex toys.

Huh. Something I didn’t need to know about my neighbors.

Shaking off my convoluted thoughts, I slip into hostess mode and make as much room for people to sit in the living room as I can.

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