Page 86 of French Martini

I nod, nervously smoothing my hands over my shirt. “Perfect. Thank you.”

“You’ve totally got this,” Indy says, squeezing my shoulder. “It’s Oakley. You’re good.”

“I know. I’m just so nervous.”

Salem, sitting on a bar stool swinging his legs, grins. “Eh, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Bane and Jerryn come out of the office next. “We just confirmed the deliveries,” Bane says. “It’s all underway.”

Jerryn hands me a small box. “This is so exciting.”

“It is.”

Stewart, who’s been peering out the front window with Kit, turns and smiles. “Your ride is here.”

I grab my overnight bag. “Wish me luck, guys.”

“Pshh. You don’t need luck, man. Have fun,” Indy says.

“Thanks.”

I hustle out the door of Moby’s and get in the car, confirming the address with the driver before settling back in my seat. I hope I can pull this off. It was hard pretending to be too busy to talk to Oakley this morning, but I knew I’d blow it if I didn’t avoid him.

The last four months have been beyond my expectations. Once I let myself enjoy Oakley’s attention and love, it was like discovering a part of myself I didn’t know was inside me. It’s obvious to me now that I never knew what love was. What I convinced myself was love with Alain was nothing but a clever game on his part.

I scroll through my phone, reading all about the latest drama in his life. It doesn’t bother me to see his face or his name anymore, knowing I came out on top and he got what he had coming. Gerard dumped him and did quite a few revealing interviews that I should have done. He’s a rising star on his own now that he’s stepping out from Alain’s shadow. As for Alain, he can’t get a break from the media hounding him, and last I heard, he’s hiding out at his cousin’s house somewhere in Spain.

I chuckle, moving to the social page for the city of New Onyx. Right on the front page is the press release announcing the latest plans Yves Orpheus and his team have for other run-down parts of the city. At this rate, he’ll be keeping me and Oakley busy for the next decade. Works for me.

Oakley.

What a man.

I was so nervous when he officially moved in last month, but it’s been seamless. He gives me the space he knows I need, and I give him the cuddles and attention he needs. He loves to watch sports with Kit and Indy and play video games with Bane and Jerryn. He cooks with Wren and Ridley, and talks books withStewart. He’s even gone shopping with Salem. He’s one of us now.

Then at night, when it’s just the two of us again, he finds all new ways to unravel me before expertly knitting me back together, stronger and better each time.

This is what love is supposed to be like.

An hour later, I arrive at the cabin I booked for the weekend. We’ve earned a break from constantly juggling the projects we have and managing the bar with the guys, and I plan to spoil my man hard.

There are two cars already there, and I hurry out to greet them, unlocking the door so they can bring in the items I ordered.

“Special occasion?” the florist says, placing the oodles of roses I ordered on the counter.

“Very.”

After I spend time fixing everything up just the way I want it, I freshen my face and wait for Oakley. I chose to keep it simple, wearing a pair of comfy yoga pants and a loose linen shirt, with bare feet and no makeup. He likes me dressed up, but he definitely appreciates me dressed down too.

When the sound of gravel under tires reaches me, my stomach does a little flip. He’s here.

I sit on the couch, exhaling slowly to calm down. The door opens and he peeks inside.

“Hello?”

“In here.”

His heavy steps echo through the short hallway and then he stops. “Kitten. What’s going on?”

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