Page 83 of Where We Bloom

It makes me so happy that these ladies love this time together as much as I do. My staff and I work hard to make sure everything is ready for our book club nights, and it’s honestly my favorite thing, too. Not to mention, I love that Skyla, Dani, and I came up with it one day.

Best spontaneous decision ever.

Once everyone is armed with next month’s read, and the crowd has thinned down to our core group of besties, Millie, Alex, Dani, Skyla, and I sit with a glass of wine and grin at each other.

“That was fun,” I say.

“Best one yet,” Millie agrees. “Our group keeps growing.”

“Yeah, yeah, we love spicy books, blah blah blah,” Alex says, waving us off. “I want to hear about Billie and Connor because I have sources—who I’ll never disclose—who have seen them all over town together, looking super cozy and mushy and cute, and we haven’t had a girls’ night since the night of the bar, and you need to spill it, girl.”

“Hold up.” I raise a hand and shake my head. “You’re skipping somethingveryimportant, friend. We need to know about the two dudes you went home with that night.”

“Excuse me?” Millie interrupts. “What in the actual fuck? Why do I always miss the good stuff? You left withtwomen? Alex Lexington! Wait until I tell your brother.”

“You will absolutelynottell my brother,” Alex says with a smug smile. Millie is married to Dani and Alex’s older brother, Holden, and the siblings are super close to each other. “I forbid it. Anywho, yes, I met two amazing men at the bar that night, Adam and Gabe, andyes, I’m still seeing them both, and the sex is off the charts, and you’re all jealous of me.”

“Wait, you’re having sex withbothof them?” Skyla demands. “On the regular, and you haven’t told us?”

“Oh girl,” Alex replies, fanning her face. “Hell to the yes. And they have sex with each other, and it’s a whole magical thing.”

We’re all quiet as we stare at our friend. Dani frowns at her twin as if she’s grown a second head.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Dani demands, hurt coating her voice.

“Well, at first I thought it was just going to be a drunken one-night thing, but now it’s sort of …not.”

“What does that mean?” I ask her.

“It’s kind of turning into a relationship. Athrouple, if you will. It’s new and different, and I don’t even know how things will shake out because it’s so outside of societal norms, but … they’re both incredible. There’s no way I could choose between them, and I don’t have to.”

I don’t know my cousin Gabe well, but I’ve known for a long time that he’s bisexual. He’s a good guy, and I’m happy that he’s moved here so I can get to know him better.

“I mean, they’re sexy as fuck,” I add. Alex blushes, which is so unlike her, and I can’t help but laugh. “Millie, one of her new men is my cousin Gabe. His family is from Silver Springs, but he recently moved over here to work for Brooks at the garage.”

“Reeeeeally,” Millie says, drawing out the word. “I’ve met Gabe a few times. That man issexy.Who’s the other guy?”

“His name is Adam.” Alex tucks her hair behind her ear, still blushing. “He’s only been living here for about a year.”

“And what does Adam do?” Skyla asks. “Besides you and Gabe.”

I can’t help but snort at that.God, my friends are funny.

“He’s in finance.” Alex shrugs a shoulder, and we all stare at her. “What?”

“Let me get this straight,” Dani says, leaning in. “You’re currently in asituationshipwith two hot dudes. One is a blue-collar grease monkey and one is a rich, wears-a-suit, white-collar guy?”

“I didn’t say he was rich,” Alex says, then nods when we all just keep staring at her. “Okay, he’s loaded. Like stupid rich. Maybe not as wealthy as Connor or Ryan, but he’s doing better than most.”

“Wow.” Millie holds up her glass of wine. “Cheers to you, girl.”

“We just want you to be happy,” I agree with a nod. “And based on what I saw that night, they’re both nice guys. I already knew that about Gabe, but you know what I mean.”

“It doesn’t suck to be worshipped by two hot men at once,” she admits with a smug grin. “Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on that. Now, Bee needs to spill the beans.”

“My beans are not as spicy as the ones you just shared,” I reply. “Although, to be fair, Connorisdamn fucking spicy in his own right. Things are good, guys. I asked him for more than sex, and he’s delivering. There is swoonandsex, and it’s awesome.”

Dani’s head tilts to the side as she examines my face. “What aren’t you telling us?”

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