Page 87 of Shortcake
“Of course I get it,” Haylee repeated. “And it’s not fair that there’s this ticking clock pushing you to meet her before you’re ready. It sucks. It fuckingsucks. But I’m not going anywhere, okay? You’re one of my best friends. And even if Hope becomes a friend of mine, too, that doesn’t change the fact that you are still so special to me. Hell, whether or not I marry your brother someday… you and me? We’re sisters, Addy.”
I launched at Haylee and wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her tightly into a hug.
Why the hell was I so scared of Hope? I already had sisters… they just weren’t blood related.
“One more thing,” I whispered into her curly hair. “Conrad and I did finally hook up.”
She pulled back and threw a triumphant fist in the air. “I knew it!”
Of course she knew. Sisters always knew.
ChapterSixteen
Conrad
My eyes were locked on Addy as she sat at brunch that morning, leaning into Harper and laughing over a shared plate of table pancakes—her idea.
“I have to say,” Harper said, taking a bite of the fresh blueberry pancakes. “You were right. Table pancakes might be my new favorite thing.”
“See? What’d I tell you? Every other meal has appetizers and desserts, but not brunch and breakfast. We can combine the two—a dessert appetizer. An… appessert!”
I grinned and with a nod of my head, acknowledged. “Table pancakes. Who knew?”
Addy pointed her fork at me. “Exactly.”
Our eyes connected for a long breath and the glint in her eyes combined with the curve of her full lips led me to believe she was thinking naughty thoughts.
Which immediately catapultedmymind into naughty thoughts. Or rather, memories.
I slid my gaze down Addy’s neck, skimming over her clavicle, until I was rewarded with a glimpse of her cleavage in the spaghetti strap tank top she wore.
From within my jeans, my cock grew thick.
Christ. A mere two seconds of eye contact combined with a smirk and a stolen glance at her cleavage, and I was already flooded with X-rated images of her. What the hell was wrong with me?
I needed to feel her. Connect with her. Even if it was just for a split second. I slid my foot across the floor beneath the table until I felt my toe connect with the sole of her shoe. She didn’t move against me, so I gave her foot another little tap.
“Dad.” Harper’s voice cut into haze, snapping me out of my lust-filled fog. “Stop kicking me.”
Oh shit. I felt all the blood rush out of my cock and back to my idiot brain.
Harper almost caught me trying to play footsie under the table like a horny high schooler in the 1950s.
Because I was an impulsive idiot. What if I had pushed it further? What if I had dragged my toe up her calf? Jesus. I needed to be more careful.
My pulse quickened as I jerked my gaze back to Addy, horrified.We almost got caught.
Completely unflappable. She bit her lip, suppressing a giggle, then widened her eyes at me as if she was berating me for my behavior without saying a single word.
I cleared my throat. “Sorry, Turkey.”
The only response I was met with was an eye roll. “And stop calling me that.”
“You know,” Addy said. “I’m only a few chapters away from finishingPride and Prejudice. And I think you’re going to love it, Harper.”
“Yeah?” Harper asked, perking up.
“Yeah. It’ssogood.”
