Page 72 of Sparrow

Four weeks later

“MINE HAVE TObe better. I’m a trained chef, for crying out loud,” I say, with my hands on my hips.

“You may be trained, but my very Southern mom helped me perfect this recipe over the years. You’ll see. My brownies will reign supreme,” Gray says with a smirk.

We wait while our panel of judges: Case, Cadence, and Nora, taste each brownie without knowing who made which batch.

I’ve been so grateful that Nora has stayed with me since I left the hospital; though I have a feeling Case has more to do with it than I do now. They’ve been giving each other eyes anytime they are in the same room.

I thought it would be hard being back in the house, but it hasn’t been. It could have been scary and dark, but instead it’s filled with light and hope for a better, brighter future.

According to my lawyer, between the crimes he committed against me and the slew of other felonies he’s committed over the years, Jaxon is going away for a long time, and as such, our divorce will be final in three weeks.

I’m counting the days.

Grayson comes up behind me and kisses my neck, but I playfully shove him off. “Don’t try to butter me up. You’re the opponent right now. I want to win,” I say with a grin.

Case, Nora, and Cadence lean in, whispering amongst themselves.

“They are taking this seriously,” Gray chuckles.

“So am I. This is about bragging rights.”

“What do you say we make this interesting?” he asks.

“Oh yeah? How so?” I turn to face him.

“Whoever wins gets anything of their choice, and the loser has to agree.” He smiles.

“This isn’t getting you anal, Gray,” I say with a smile.

He laughs loudly. “A man has to try, but what do you say? Do we have a deal?” He offers his hand, so I take it.

“Deal.”

“We are ready, bakers,” Cadence says, clearly having watched too many cooking shows on the Food Network.

We laugh and take our place in front of them.

Cadence asks Nora and Case something one more time before turning back to us.

“Both were very yummy, but we think that brownie A was the yummiest.”

For fuck’s sake.

“Wooooo!” Gray cheers from my side. “Oh yeah! That’s right! Bragging rights for LIFE!” He does a little victory jig like I did at the putt-putt course.

I shake my head and laugh. “I demand a recount.”

“No can do, darlin’. I won fair and square.” He lifts me off the ground and spins.

“You’re incorrigible!” I shout.

“But you love me,” he says, placing my feet back on the ground.

“For some reason,” I joke.

“Now, about that bet.”

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