Page 53 of Love Bitters

Another round of laughs is interrupted by a knock at the door. Instantly, I know exactly who it is. He always taps the same way no matter where he knocks.

Sure enough, when I crack my door, it's to find a grinning Ollie with Evan at his heels.

"Hiya, babycakes," he greets. "We were in the neighborhood and thought our loves might be hungry."

I step back to let them inside with a smirk. They both drop a quick kiss on my lips on their way by. Whatever Evan is carrying smells divine, and I don't even care that I ate over at Jolene's. I could totally tear into whatever they've brought.

"Oh, hi," Ollie says, coming to a complete stop upon seeing that I'm not alone.

Remembering my manners, I introduce the three of them, spurring Ollie into motion again.

"We've got plenty to share," Ollie tells her afterward.Having only been here for a quick visit once before, I chuckle as I watch him search through the cabinets for plates.

By the time he's setting four of them on the table, Abilene is standing and throwing her bag across her shoulder. "Thanks for the offer, but I've got to head out."

Walking her to the door, I let her know that it’s totally okay for her to stay, but all I get is a wink in reply. Then she spins around after opening the door. "Don't forget to make your lists. Especially on that one site."

"What site?" Evan asks as the door closes behind her.

Barely after he’s done speaking, Ollie adds, "We're making lists?"

I huff out a short laugh, telling him, "I'm making a list, and none of you will be seeing it!"

"Ohhh," Ollie marvels, "does this mean it's a dirty list? I thought we were talking baby stuff. This is good, too."

Evan chuckles underneath his breath, and I burst that bubble. "No, it's not a dirty list. She found a website that caters to moms. I haven't really had a chance to check it out, but she suggested I make lists of things me and the baby still need. Said it would likely make me feel better if I had it in front of me."

"Are you worried?" Evan asks seriously.

I take the open seat beside him, and Ollie comes behind me to start a slow massage on my shoulders. Leaning into his touch, I groan softly at how relaxed it's already making me feel.

"You do realize that you've got five, not one, baby daddies who are going to take care of you two, right?" Ollie asks while his hands work magic.

I snort. "It sounds so bad when you say it like that."

"So?" he responds. "It's true, though. You shouldn't want or need for anything. We're getting access to these lists, yeah?"

I'm already shaking my head before he's finished. "You'll buy everything on there if I give it to you. That’s exactly what I didn't want to happen when I told you. This is an equals thing, not just a possible daddy responsibility."

"Agreed," he says, "which is why I'll promise not to buy every single thing on the lists if you'll share them with us. See? Compromise."

"You might as well let the reins loose," Evan slips me gently. "He's not going to let up until you do."

Ollie hits a particularly deep spot on my shoulder that feels like a knot as large as a baseball, causing me to slink down in my chair in bliss. "You can have anything you want as long as you don't stop."

One hand snakes around beneath my chin to tilt my head backward, and I get an eyeful of those caramel colored irises and cheeks splattered with freckles before his lips are caressing mine. If there were ever a moment in my life that was hotter than this kiss, I'm sure this erases it. Kissing someone upside down is an entirely different feeling than anything I've ever experienced. The tops of our tongues brush against each other with every dip his takes inside, and I sink my fingers into his dark red hair to keep him from moving. Neither of us acknowledge Evan at our side as we take our time enjoying each other, nor does he interrupt.

It isn't until Ollie groans into my mouth that I know we've crossed over that line of just having dinner, which is fine by me since I'm practically squirming in my seat for any kind of release.

"Want to eat?" Evan finally says, breaking the spell Ollie's wove in my brain.

I'd tell him what I'd really like to eat if he hadn't already started pulling containers out of the bag. The aroma hits my senses, flooding out all else, and I can honestly admit to never feeling as fat as I do in this moment. Food making me forget everything. Ollie wears a gloating smirk as he takes the seat to my right and starts dishing out the food. Afterward, we sit in comfortable peace as we stuff our faces, but somewhere halfway through the meal, I feel my eyelids starting to droop. Never thought I'd be one to fall asleep at weird angles or positions. Yet here I sit, fork in hand, dozing off with my face threatening to smack into my plate of noodles.

"Imma?" Evan questions softly. "Are you ready to go to bed?"

I blink a few times, unable to help the yawn that stretches across my face. "Sadly, yes. I'm sorry. I've just been so tired lately."

"You don't have to apologize, babycakes," Ollie says, starting to clean our mess off the table.

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