Page 75 of Between Hate and Desire

That earns me a smirk.

“When the cravings call, you follow them.” She shrugs unapologetically.

Lennon pulls the crust off the cookie sheet and stuffs it in a baking dish. After she pours in the filling, she carefully places the second dough on top and puts it in the oven.

“I’m gonna take a shower. How much time do I have?” I ask.

“My sisters will be here in twenty minutes.”

I nod. “It’ll take me ten.”

I rush to the shower and turn on the water. I told her it’d take me ten minutes, but I finish and get dressed in eight. There’s just enough time for me to walk into the living room and sit on the couch before a knock echoes on the door.

“I got it,” I call out as she comes rushing out of the kitchen. She makes it just past the couch when the timer goes off on the oven.

“I didn’t change clothes!” She looks down at herself. “Shit!” She goes back to the kitchen, the timer stops, and I hear the oven door pop open.

Laughing, I open the door. As soon as I do, Maddie and Sophie rush inside.

“Oooh, you smell good,” Maddie says, making a show of inhaling my chest. Sophie smacks her shoulder.

“Don’t start.”

Maddie plops down at the kitchen table with a huge smile on her face. “Lennon, why’d you insist Buzz Killington come over too?”

Sophie rolls her eyes and sits at the table as Lennon comes out carrying the masterpiece she made.

Maddie’s eyes widen. “Holy shit. You made this?”

Lennon beams proudly and passes out the plates and forks. “Why’s everyone so shocked? I know my way around the kitchen!”

“Because growing up, cooking meant Pop-Tarts and a can of tuna,” Sophie adds to the blow.

When I burst out into laughter, all three of them turn and look at me, then go back to giving each other shit. I can only imagine how they were all under one roof.

Lennon’s soft gaze meets mine, and she lets out a ragged breath. Her sisters aren’t paying attention as they scoop food onto their plates, but I notice every little thing about her, even if she thinks I don’t.

Once we all have food and start eating, Lennon clears her throat, and I can tell she’s nervous. I look over, encouraging her with one simple glance.

“I’m sure you two are wondering why I invited you over,” she begins. I can see her pulse throbbing in her neck. I almost reach over to hold her hand, to calm her, but I don’t.

“To tell us you and Hunter are finally a couple?” Maddie says with a huge grin.

Lennon’s face contorts. “What?”

“No,” I add at almost the same time, seeing how Lennon’s face reddens at Maddie’s words. Sophie gives Maddie the death stare, and she shrugs like it’s no big deal. I’d find it humorous that Maddie constantly gets scolded by them, but I’m too terrified to react because I don’t want Lennon to see my true feelings.

“I’m not sorry for saying that. So I’m not gonna apologize.” Maddie playfully smirks. “I mean, come on!” She flails her arms in the air, and it takes all the willpower in the world not to look at Lennon for a reaction.

“We’re just friends, Maddie. Stop it. You’re embarrassing me,” Lennon sternly tells her, then glances at me with apologetic eyes.

Sophie clears her throat, then places her hand on Lennon’s. “You took the test without calling me first. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Lennon swallows hard, then nods.

“You owe me twenty bucks.” Sophie turns to Maddie with a chuckle.

Both of them stand and rush to Lennon, then wrap their arms around her, and I lean back and watch the three of them, seeing the love they have for each other.

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