Page 104 of Complete Me
“I’ll lay you flat on your ass, baby, so try me.”
“Oh, sweetheart, you know I’d love to see you try.”
“Mmm. Maybe later, first coffee, then my parents’ house for Sunday dinner.”
Reid’s grip tightens around my hand ever so slightly, a soft twitch letting me know how he feels about our Sunday plans. It took some serious convincing and pleading, but Reid got Camden to agree to every other Sunday and—much to my mom’s dismay—she agreed to the same. Now we split our Sundays between the clubhouse and my parents’, like two children whose parents are sharing custody. Reid always wanted to keep his life in the MC hidden from everyone in hisday-to-day life here in Aspen Ridge, but that was never going to be his reality forever. It’s as much a part of who he is as the tattoo artist, the boyfriend, the son, the best friend, the brother. I love every facet of him, and I wouldn’t change a piece.
Reid and I walk up the cobblestone sidewalk toward my sister-in-law’s coffee shop and bakery. Ms. Nettie sits outside Bean Haven at a table for one, watching us as we walk in her direction.
“So the last one is paired off, huh?” she says as a greeting.
“What do you mean, Ms. Nettie?”
“You and beast here. You’re holding hands, lookin’ like you’re on the set of aBeauty and the Beastremake.”
“Very cheeky, Ms. Nettie. Yes, Reid and I are together.”
“You deserve each other. Not so sure about that big brother of yours, Ivy’s too good for him.”
A laugh bursts from my chest. Ms. Nettie and Sawyer have never gotten along. Even her little dog, Winnie, hates him.
“I’m sure Ivy is just fine with her decisions. And they have baby Gracie now. They’re very happy.”
“Mhmm,” she mumbles as Reid opens the door for us. Bean Haven is the only coffee shop and bakery in Aspen Ridge, and Hannah is constantly slinging drinks. She’s the hardest worker I know and is such a good mom. She and Liam worked so hard to redecorate this place when Hannah’s grandmother let her take over running things a few years ago. It has Hannah’s boho vibe in every corner, and it’s one of the most welcoming places Aspen Ridge has to offer.
We walk inside, finding Hannah behind the bakery counter with her sister, Hailey, hands over her tiny baby bump. I sidle up to the counter with a huge smile on my face. “Hey, you two.”
“Hey, Mrs. Knight,” Hannah teases. Reid straight upgrowls next to me. A deeply primal, appreciative sound that goes right between my legs. So, he likes that, huh?
“How are you feeling, Hailey?”
“Morning sickness has extended into the second trimester, which has been glorious, let me tell you.”
“Buck up, buttercup!” Hannah playfully teases her sister.
“I’ve heard it can be rough. I’m sorry. Let me know if you ever need any help with anything. I have a week before school starts up again, but even then, I’m there if you need anything.”
“Really? I’d love to hang out. Lily and Emma would love to see you. I know we’ve all been so busy, but we miss you.”
Her words nearly make me choke with emotion. The four of us have gone to school together our entire lives, but we were never close. In the last year, they’ve each settled down into relationships. Lily even got married a few months ago in a secret ceremony to her ex-boyfriend’s dad, and Emma is in a relationship with not one but three men who all share her in one big house. I would love friends here in Aspen Ridge, and it’s something I’ve been desperately craving since moving back from college last year.
“I would love that. Just let me know when you all are free, and we can meet up somewhere.”
“Sounds good to me! Hannah, I’m going to go see if Mila is done at the bookstore. I’ll catch up with you later.” We wave our goodbyes as Hannah looks at us with big heart eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“You still want a tattoo? I found a guy for you in Briar Falls,” she says with a playful lilt to her tone. Reid’s animalistic growl rumbles through his chest, making Hannah throw her head back in a laugh.
“Damn, dude, you’re really taking that protective boyfriend thing seriously. I don’t know what those Hayes boys are worried about, you’re worse than they are.”
“She’s not being inked by anyone but me,” he states with finality.
“Plus, he already did it,” I add, making Hannah’s eyes go wide. My sister-in-law is covered in tattoos that Reid has done over the years. She has an entire sleeve of fine line floral that extends from fingers to shoulder, and her entire hip and thigh are done to match.
“Let me see it! Where?” she gasps.
“Sorry, sis, another time, it’s on my hip and I’m not pulling up my dress in the middle of Bean Haven.
