Page 79 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Hey, that cow likes me, and you know it.” Carter’s normally humorous tone changed to serious whenever he mentioned Mrs. Gladstone’s cows, especially Betsy.

“The easier question is, which cow doesn’t like you?” Andrew chuckled before running off to greet one of the firefighters.

“Come on, Molly. Let me show you the best cupcakes before Nick over there rips off my balls.” Carter took her under his arm and picked up one of my favorite cupcakes: black forest.

As soon as they left, Nick was at my side. “Why does he call your boobs cupcakes?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him?”

“He shouldn’t be thinking about your boobs at all.”

“I don’t think he’s thinking. He’s just being Carter.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Are you jealous of your best friend?”

“I’m jealous of any man who hits on you.”

“No one’s hitting on me, and you’re being weird.”

“Just protecting what’s mine.”

“Well, then protect away.” I kissed him again. “Have you told your mom that you have to leave in three weeks?”

“This morning. She cried.”

“Are you surprised?”

“No. But I was hoping that someone would be happy for me.”

“Nick, I am happy for you. What you’re doing for this country is very honorable. I just wish it wasn’t that dangerous, and for so long. I mean, I won’t even know if you’re alive.”

“Of course you’ll know. The military would inform you if…” He stopped.

My hand flew to my mouth. “Don’t even say it, Nicholas.”

“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be safe. They only send out the best of the best, and I guess I’m the best.”

“That, you certainly are.”

“Hey, I have a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

“Yes, and I’d like to give it to you right now.”

I pulled him off to the side. “Does it have anything to do with you and me getting naked?”

“No, but I’d like to think we’ll get naked anyway.” He winked.

I saw my father step out of the bakery and wave to us, and I waved back. “Do you think they know that you sneak to my room in the middle of the night?”

“I don’t think so. There’s no way your father would allow it. In his eyes, you’re still that little girl who liked piggyback rides.”

“I guess you’re right. It was hard on him, you know, raising a daughter on his own. Thank God your mom was here.”

“Excuse me, can I have everyone’s attention, please?” My father clanked a fork against a vase full of field flowers, and the crowd quieted and turned his way. “Thank you for joining us today. We’ve come a long way since last summer, and the destruction the tornado brought to our town will be felt for a long time. We’ve lost members of our community whom we will always remember, and we gathered together with strength and perseverance to overcome the new challenge in our lives. I have lived in this town my entire life, and I’ve always known that I could depend on the good folks who live here as well. I’d like to take this moment to thank you all for your continuous support of our bakeries, which have been merged, and to tell you how grateful and privileged our family is to bake for you every day. That’s why it’s so important to me to make this announcement in front of everyone gathered here.” He then turned toward Marge and reached for her hand. She had a somewhat confused look on her face. I got a funny feeling in my stomach, and I squeezed Nick’s hand, whispering, “Oh, my God.”

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