Page 77 of Bae

Drew wagged his eyebrows, and Ivy made a sound. “There are some things you just shouldn’t say out loud,” she announced.

I laughed and went over to the huge cart with the food. My stomach rumbled. Romeo came up behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder when I reached for a plate. “We good?”

I tilted my head back. “We’re good.”

“I was just worried it would be too much.”

I nodded, understanding. “Did you make a plate yet?”

“I was waiting on you.”

I kissed him, then started piling eggs on the plate in my hand. “No pancakes,” he whispered in my ear. “It’s bad enough I ate candy and half your cake last night.”

Romeo was strict with his diet during the season, something I just didn’t envy. I bypassed the carbs and sugary syrup for bacon and fruit to go with his eggs. When the plate was full, I handed it to him, along with a fork.

“Thanks, baby.”

Quickly, I made my own plate, which was the opposite of Romeo’s. Two pancakes with maple syrup and butter and a side of fruit.

All the chairs in the room were taken, so I sat on the bed, stretched out my legs, and used my lap as a table.

“So the press called your dad?” Romeo asked when everyone was quiet.

“Offered him over a million dollars,” I said, cutting into my pancake.

“I really fucking hate the press,” Drew muttered.

“He said no, right?” Romeo wanted assurance.

“That’s what he said.”

He nodded, looking a little worried. I understood. It wasn’t as if I didn’t feel the same. My father was a good liar. “I’ll call my grandmother later. See what she says.”

Romeo nodded.

Braeden pushed out of his chair and came over, flinging himself onto the mattress beside me. The next thing I knew, he confiscated my fork and started eating my pancakes.

“Get your own carbs!” I exclaimed.

“Can’t,” he said, taking another huge bite. “They don’t count when I eat them off your plate.”

I glanced at Ivy. She shook her head. “I can’t help you. I’ve tried to fix him. It’s impossible.”

“You know you love me, Ives.”

Nova laughed from the floor. B grinned. “Tell your mama!”

“Drew…” Ivy began in that sisterly tone only she seemed to have. “Did you even comb your hair this morning? Or yesterday? You need a haircut.”

He groaned. Beside him, Trent snickered.

“Rim doesn’t comb her hair either,” Drew muttered.

Braeden was still inhaling my breakfast, but he paused to pat me on the leg. “You’re prettier than Drew.”

“At least she attempts to fix hers!” Ivy retorted.

Nova pulled herself up using the side of the bed and peeked at me and her father.

---