Page 55 of I Did Before I Do

I walked into Bakeology right as they were closing. I passed Lora on the sidewalk; we said hello, but she had to get home, so I didn’t keep her.

Kenzie was still inside.

“Hey!” I called as I came in.

She looked up and smiled. “Sydney, hey!” She took a second, looking me over. “You look cute! Skipping work today, huh?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Personal day. You know.” I leaned on the counter. “I know you’re closed, but do you have anything left? I could go for something sweet.”

“I’ve got rum cupcakes and poppy seed muffins. Either of those sound appealing?” She gestured to the two trays still left in the case.

I paid her for a cupcake and smiled. “Thanks! This is perfect!”

Kenzie laughed. “You’re chipper today. What’s going on? You’re pretty happy, but not usually this outwardly cheerful.”

I bit my lip. “I…well…you know.”

“What?” She leaned on the counter, grinning at me.

She was going to make me say it.

“Finally, I did it. Before I said, ‘I do.’”

“Sydney!” She grinned and leaned over the counter, hugging me tight.

I hugged her back, holding the cupcake carefully so I wouldn’t get frosting on her.

“I’m so happy,” she said. “Who? Somebody from work?”

“No.” I shook my head. “It was Ryker.”

“Ryker?” She jerked back, brows furrowed as she looked at me. She sounded mad when she said, “Are you serious?”

I blinked. Why was she angry about this? “Well, yeah. It was great.”

“Sydney, we’ve talked about him! What he’s like.”

“Yeah, but…I don’t think you know him that well.” I frowned at her. “He’s wonderful. He’s sweet. And he was so gentle. He knew it was my first time, and he made it all about me.” I blushed with the memory.

“Okay. What happened after? Did he just leave?”

“No. He stayed until this morning. We had sex again.”

Kenzie sighed. “I just… He worries me, Sydney. That he’s going to hurt you.”

“He won’t. Last night was so hot, Kenzie. And this morning, it was…it was different.” I hesitated, shrugging. “I dunno. Like in a movie. Where it’s romantic and passionate and perfect.”

Kenzie’s expression softened a little. She sighed and straightened up, gesturing to a table nearby. “Sit down and eat your cupcake. I’m almost done here, and then we’re going out.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re going to go have some drinks.”

“Why? Kenzie, if you’re going to tell me not to see him—”

She shook her head, holding one hand up to stop me. “Not at all. I’m going to take you out to celebrate. Okay?”

I smiled at that. “Okay. Yeah. That sounds great, Kenzie. Thank you.”

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