Page 57 of The Road Sometimes Taken

I drop my head by hers, inhaling one of her wild curls so I roll over to her side while coughing, “Your hair almost killed me, Allison.”

“It wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t tackle me to the ground, Caroline.”

“Blasphemy!” I shout while gasping and sitting up, pretending she just shot me in the heart. “Not my name, Allison Marie.”

“It sure is, Caroline May. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it’s not real. Also, you called me Allison first.”

“Are you two done?” Jake shouts from where he’s standing, holding two champagne flutes and lifting one up when we look his way. We fall into heavy laughter and with the help of Manny and Gus who came to rescue us from my burst of love, we get up. I shake off my dress, pulling down my skirt, making sure I’m not showing anyone my ass and give Allie a proper hug.

“Congratulations, Allie. Nobody deserves this more than you.” Her eyes glimmer with genuine joy, showing her smile wide and warm as I try to mirror it. I’m so damn happy for her and Jake.

“Thanks, Cara. Love you. I’m so happy you were able to witness this.” I can feel the warmth wrap around me like a cozy blanket, making this moment even more special.

As I step away from her, my heart races, excitement bubbling up inside me thinking about all the things we need to plan for. I know I’ll be the best bestie girl to ever exist, bridesmaid or not. I glance at Jake, and my smile softens. I walk over, pulling him into a hug, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine.

“Don’t fuck it up this time, big guy,” I say, my voice half teasing, half serious.

“Never again, Cara.” His eyes are filled with sincerity and I feel like a little girl on Christmas day. My two best friends finally pushed all their bullshit aside, communicating and getting engaged. We all knew they were end game, it was up to them to realize it too.

“Congrats! You two deserve all the happiness in the world. And the babies, all the babies,” I add because I know that Allie has always wanted to be a mom.

“One step at a time,” he adds, letting me go and walking to get his girl.

After everyone finishes all their hugs, claps on the back, and blessings to them, we sit at the picnic tables outside and enjoy wine, food, and the beautiful scenery. Manny and Gus reserved the whole place for us so the service has been nothing but top-tier. The food is incredible and so is the conversation. We learn about how the guys planned this in mere days and how they were able to pull it off. We eat, drink, and laugh. We share ideas and good memories . Allie cries a lot, as usual, and Roe rolls her eyes. It’s honestly the best night I’ve had in a while, surrounded by all the people I love so much.

I get up to use the restroom and after spending longer than necessary in the bathroom, trying to compose myself and not jump Manny at every chance I get. Being around Manny and all of them has been hard. I don’t want to lie to them but I also can’t help my lingering eyes after he talks or the way every time I look at him, he seems to be looking at me first and that makes me feel many different ways—desired, pretty, alive.Get it together, Cara. One night. Just make it the rest of the night without letting everyone see how much you like him.I rinse my hands and face and open the door, to find Manny standing right outside of it.

“Jeez, you scared me,” I say, but I’m immediately rewarded with Manny’s lips on mine followed by him pushing me backward, shutting the bathroom door, and locking it behind us. “Manny,” I moan between kisses against his lips.

“Yes, Carita?” he asks, pulling back and keeping his eyes on mine. The fire behind his eyes make my knees weak and I just cannot.

“What are you doing, hotshot?” I ask, grabbing his collar but not stepping away from him for more than the few inches between our lips.

“What does it look like I’m doing, bebé? Kissing you like I’ve been dying to all day, and I finally got you alone.”

His words hit me like a spark, setting off something inside me that’s been smoldering for hours. I can feel the weight of his gaze, the hunger in it—like he’s not just kissing me, but devouring the space between us, wantingmore. His fingers find the small of my back, pressing me closer to him, the heat of his body against mine sending a jolt of desire through my chest, straight to my core. His lips crash against mine, hungry and insistent, like he’s been starved for this kiss and I’m glad I’m not the only one.

There’s something powerful about knowing I’m the woman unraveling Manny. “They’re going to know we’re in here doing this,” I say as I turn my face sideways, giving him access to my neck. My pulse races as I try to ground myself. But he’s already moving, his lips trailing down the curve of my jaw, nipping and kissing with a delicious slowness that makes me ache for more. He knows how to leave me hanging on the edge, wanting more, but never giving it all at once. His mouth moves lower, his lips brushing against my throat, and I feel it before he even reaches that tender spot—my pulse quickening in anticipation. I don’t need to say a word; he knows exactly where to go.

My body reacts to this whole thing, melting into him and arching my back so I can close whatever space there is between us.

“Doing what? Kissing? Or do you want more to happen?” he asks, biting his lip and smoothing his thumb across mine. My eyes flare at that question and I can feel my cheeks burning up too, keeping me from hiding how much that sounds like what I’ve wanted all day.?

“Do you want me to fuck you in this bathroom, Cara?” I suck in a breath because judging by the instant tingle between my legs and my stomach doing a somersault, I guess I do want him to fuck me in this bathroom.

“Manny,” I whisper.

“That wasn’t a yes, Cara. You’re not shy, so tell me, bebé, what do you want me to do?” he asks, bringing his hand to my neck and holding my face in place so I can’t move it away. So I have to look into his eyes as I try not to fall apart.

“Yes.” My voice is barely above a whisper, covered with need and want. Covered in whatever spell Manny has put me under that gets me to say yes to him railing me against a wall and now in a bathroom with all of our friends in the next room.

“Yes, what?” he asks, eyes on me daringly.

“Fuck me in this bathroom,” I command with a sultry tone, looking him dead in the eyes. He makes me feel so confident, so desired, so perfect, when he looks at me like this, so the least I can do is hold his gaze too and tell him exactly how I feel.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Manny whispers against the shell of my ear, dropping his hands to the back of my legs and lifting them slowly. When he gets to the curve of my ass, he hisses against my neck, licking the sensitive spot right above my collarbone.

“No underwear, sunshine? Were you thinking about mewhen you got dressed today? Were you thinking about my fingers fucking you in dark places when you decided to wear this perfect dress, those damn cowgirl boots, and no underwear? Or were you thinking about my dick, filling every inch of you somewhere public? Which one was it?”

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