Page 138 of Love Me Reckless

“No.” I force a smile. “They’ll bring our order in just a few minutes.”

“Awesome,” he says, rubbing his belly.

At the table, we talk about everything but the wedding I ditched, like my friends don’t want to bring it up with Sheldon here. We’re also not exactly in a private space. Maybe I can talk to Ava and Sofie later, when we go to the house.

Our orders arrive with coffees served in my mugs. My heart swells with pride as my friends fuss over the glaze colors and the shapes, which I design to fit cradled in a person’s hands.

“Wait, you made these?” Sheldon shoots me a curious glance.

“I love the handle on mine,” Ava says with a soft grin. “It’s perfect.”

“So, Sheldon, do you think you’ll stick around for a few days?” Hutch bites into a powdered donut hole, the white sugar sticking to his upper lip.

“Maybe.” He licks his finger and presses it to the tissue paper for the crumbs. “I’m headed to Daytona. I got a job down there.”

“With race cars?” I ask. I’ve only been to Daytona once and that’s all I remember.

“No… kind of a related field, though.”

“Are you a mechanic like Sawyer?” Hutch asks, sipping from his coffee.

“Naw,” Sheldon replies.

“Tell us about the project today,” Ava asks Sofie.

Sofie is halfway through her rundown of the bathroom we’re going to help her paint and the tile Hutch has offered to redo in their entryway when Zach enters Glory Holes looking sharp in his uniform. His deep blue eyes zero in on Sofie and he hurries over.

“Hey!” She jumps up and gives him a quick hug while Hutch grabs a spare chair.

Zach releases Sofie. “I can’t stay.”

“Come on, one donut hole,” I say, and offer him one from my collection.

“Okay, twist my arm.” With a laugh, he pops it into his mouth.

“Hey, Sheldon,” Zach says, hooking one thumb on his toolbelt.

“Hey.” Sheldon flashes a smile. “Long time, brother.”

Zach’s eyes seem to sharpen. “Yeah.”

“You want me to gut that entryway or wait for you?” Hutch asks, pretending to crack his knuckles.

“Be my guest,” Zach replies. “I’ll be home to help this afternoon.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Sofie says, and practically skips out the door after Zach.

Our group leaves shortly after, with Hutch asking Sheldon to go with him to the hardware store to pick up supplies while Sofie and Ava and I get started on the painting.

Inside Sawyer’s truck, all of us start talking at once. “What was that look between you and Hutch?” Sofie asks Ava just as I ask her, “Who’s pregnant?” and Ava asks me, “What’s wrong?”

Ava shoots Sofie a scowl. “What look?”

“Never mind.” Sofie bites her lip and her eyes brighten. “Neve is pregnant.”

I hug her. “A baby! That’s so exciting!”

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