Page 71 of Moonlight & Matrimony
I take a sip of my wine, savoring the taste. “Did you guys hear about Jen’s new ‘business venture’? Apparently, she got tired of being a pharmaceutical rep, and decided to pretend to be an organic farmer online with her new boyfriend. Turns out it was all just a front for his backyard marijuana farm.” Jen briefly dated Cade while he was knee deep in denial over his relationship with Paige. And by brief, I mean there was one blind date that imploded spectacularly.
Cara laughs. “Is that what she’s telling people? More like she pissed off too many doctors and burned so many bridges that nobody would work with her anymore.”
Paige snorts. “I wish I could say I feel bad for her, but you reap what you sow. Speaking of Oak Ridge gossip, how’s my big brother?” she asks with a knowing glint in her eye.
Mags and Cara swiftly turn their gazes on me, waiting on bated breath for an answer. “He’s… good,” I say, gulping down more of the cool liquid as I attempt to hide a smile.
“Is that all you’re going to give us?” Mags questions. “You fake marry a man who looks likethatand suddenly you're not up to talking about your sex life? I’d bet my left tit he’s a fucking beast in the sheets.”
Paige makes an exaggerated gagging noise at the mention of her brother’s unconfirmed sexual prowess. I could give themexactly what they’re fishing for, but I sidestep the question instead. “I didn’t say anything about a sex life,” I point out, hoping to let the conversation go, but Maggie’s nothing if not persistent.
“You didn’t have to, babe. We can see it all over your face any time someone even says his name. You’ve got that good dick glow.”
I laugh. “What the fuck is the ‘good dick’ glow?”
“You know, when you’re so well-fucked, your entire aura changes,” she explains.
“Girl, I think you’ve had too much wine,” Cara says.
“OrIhaven’t had enough,” I add with a laugh. Grinning, I take another sip of my wine. “It’s a fun distraction. A really, really filthy distraction. But right now, this—” I gesture around the room, “—is exactly where I want to be. Good dick notwithstanding. Besides, he’s better on the bar top than he is in the sheets.”
Paige’s eyebrows shoot up as Cara chokes on her wine. “Oh my god. Did you fuck my brother on my husband’s bar? That feels like a crime against the best friend code. Straight to jail.”
Maggie raises her hand up for a high five and I meet her in the middle. The conversation drifts to less complicated topics as the night wears on. Between the laughter and the gossip, I feel a wave of contentment. No matter what awaits me back in Oak Ridge, I’m exactly where I want to be right now.
Chapter 18
Luca
? Pillowtalk - Zayn
Istand back, admiring the natural woodwork of Ivy’s new art studio. The light stains and neutral tones blend seamlessly with the abundance of light streaming through the large windows. Rylin, perched on a small stool with her paintbrush in hand, carefully adds a few more haphazard brush strokes to a canvas of chaotic shapes and colors. Her concentration is intense, her tiny tongue peeking out as she furiously dabs and blends.
“How’s it going, Bug?” I ask, crouching beside her.
“Good! Mommy’s gonna love it!” she says, her blue eyes wide with excitement.
“She sure is,” I agree. “Mommy should be here very soon. Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for the big reveal.” She nods, hopping down from her perch and darting off down the hallway leading to her bedroom.
The first day was hectic, everyone running around in a frenzy trying to get the kids situated while attempting to execute theplan with a very limited amount of time. Paige called to check on Sofia no less than thirty times that first day, until Mags finally took her phone away, promising to pass on any pertinent updates. Ivy and Rylin had a few FaceTime calls, but for the most part, Ry wanted to be right in the thick of it, helping us in any way she could. Thankfully, we had Evelyn to run interference when we needed to do some of the more dangerous tasks. Uncle Miles might’ve been coerced into buying Rylin a tiny hard hat and pink tool belt at Sully’s Hardware, and even I have to admit, it might’ve been the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Honey, I’m hoooome,” Ivy’s singsong voice carries down the hallway from the foyer. Rylin’s head snaps toward the sound, and before I can even react, she’s wriggling out of my arms. One of her pant legs is still caught halfway up her ankle as she tugs them behind her, desperate to get to Ivy as fast as she can. I roll my eyes, smiling despite myself, trailing close behind her, just in case she trips over her own feet.
“Mommy!” she cries, all but tackling Ivy to the ground in a tangled mess of limbs.
“Hi my little love. How was your weekend?”
Before Rylin can ruin the surprise, Evelyn saunters in from the backyard, a very excited Sage nearly knocking her off her feet when she tries to pass her in the hallway. I quickly snag her by the collar, halting her path of destruction. “Hold on, pup. Mom has her hands full.”
Evelyn rights herself, giving me a knowing look and a soft laugh. “Welcome home, Ivy Jo. Hope you girls had a great trip.”
“It was perfect,” Ivy replies with a sigh of contentment as she continues to hold Rylin. “But I missed my girl,” she adds, her voice dropping into an affectionate tone as she tickles her daughter. She rubs their noses together, and Rylin’s face lights up, her giggles filling the space. A sharp pang lances straight through my chest, a familiar ache I can never seem to shake.
“I know you just got back, but I was hoping I could take Ry to get a milkshake before the weekend is over and she has to go back to daycare.” From my periphery, I catch Evelyn’s wink, and I nod in acknowledgement.
“Milkshake!” Rylin shouts, effectively distracted from spilling the beans about her weekend.
“That’s fine with me,” Ivy says, her voice low and laced with exhaustion. “I need to get unpacked and settled, anyway. We had so much fun, but I’m definitely worn out.”
