Page 78 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

We drove back home in silence. Despite our hot sex, today was the first day since Nick’s return that I felt sad.

Chapter 19

The constructionof the bakery was finally over, and this afternoon we were celebrating with a grand opening. The summer was in full swing, and my father had set up a tent at the front of the building for additional shade from the scorching sun. I’d spent the night before and all morning baking five hundred regular-sized cupcakes in five different flavors and another five hundred mini ones. The kids were stuffing their faces, drinking lemonade, jumping on a trampoline, and playing tag. A fun house at the side of the bakery, which included a bouncing castle, a dunk tank, and a face painting station, resounded with roars of laughter. The town’s mayor had closed off the road on one side, which gave everyone additional parking spots.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead, took another sip from my water bottle, and stacked another layer of cupcakes on the multi-platform tray. When I twisted to the right, I felt a twinge in my left leg muscle, and remembered how that leg had been over Nick’s shoulder last night. This morning I got up two hours earlier than usual to ensure that the decorations were prepped for the opening. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so tired just from the baking, but given that Nick had come to my room at one in the morning, we hadn’t gotten as much sleep as we were supposed to.

A woman’s voice called out my name, jolting my head up. When I saw Molly, I almost dropped the platter I was setting up and rushed toward my friend.

“Oh, my God! It’s so good to see you!” I hugged her. “I missed you. You look good.”

“Thanks! I’ve been working out at the campus gym before classes.”

“Well, I can definitely see the results. Holy shit, Molly! Now, please tell me that there’s a new man in your life.”

“Nope, still haven’t found the right one.”

I leaned in closer. “So you’re still a virgin?”

“Yes, and proud of it.”

I saw Carter look up from the side and wondered whether he’d heard us. If he had, he didn’t say anything, but he did come over to say hello. “Nice to see you, Molly. Those buns of yours are looking good.” He leaned back to get a better look at her behind, and I rolled my eyes.

“What buns?” she asked.

“He means your ass.”

Her cheeks covered with a rosy shade.

“Don’t worry. He calls my boobs cupcakes.”

Nick looked up from the porch where he was talking to the construction crew who would start the house renovation on Monday. I was afraid he’d heard me.

“Once Andrew gets here, we’ll have the whole gang back,” Carter said. “Well, almost whole.”

“Carter,” I touched his arm. “I’m sure Daisy’s looking over us from heaven. She’s with us in spirit now and always will be.”

“You’re right. I’m sure she is. So, which cupcake haven’t I tried yet?” he asked.

“Ahm, I think you’re the only one who’s tried them all. You know you’re my number one tester, don’t you?”

“Hell, yeah!”

“Yo, Carter! Stop hitting on my girl!” Nick jogged up to us.

Carter only laughed in response. “I will for now, but once you’re gone, all bets are off, buddy.”

While I knew that Carter was teasing, Nick didn’t seem to like that answer.

“You better cool it, Carter.” Andrew patted his back from behind. “I hear Nick’s got new killer skills, and I’m afraid he’d love to try them out on anyone who gets too close to his girl.”

“Hello, Mr. Firefighter.” I hugged Andrew.

“Hey, if I knew you’d greet me as Mr. Firefighter, I wouldn’t have waited so long to start my training.” Carter winked. He’d finally decided it was time to redo his six-month course to become a firefighter. Better late than never. The firehouse was still short a couple of guys to have a complete shift turnover without anyone working overtime, but when Carter was done, they’d all finally have regular working hours.

“What did I just say about hitting on my girl?” Nick asked.

“Don’t worry. He flirts with everyone, including the cattle at Mrs. Gladstone’s ranch.” I stepped up on my toes and planted a kiss of reassurance on his lips.

---