Page 46 of Fight for You (Flirting with Forever 2)

Liam smiles and nods. “Thanks for coming out, ladies. The next round is on me. And happy birthday, Hadleigh.” He winks in my direction. “Would you like another round of the same or would you like to try something different?”

“What’s your favorite? They’ll try whatever you like best.” Quinn shoots him a smile.

“That’d be the Orchard Classic. I’ll bring some out for you.”

Quinn nods her approval with a distinct twinkle to her eye. “I guess I’ll have to come back some other time for more than a taste. I’m driving tonight.”

I swear, Quinn is turning on the charm. Funny.

“Absolutely. We’d love to have you come back.” He gives her a warm smile.

A chorus of thank yous goes up, and Liam moves away to chat with another group of customers.

Piper waits until he’s far enough away before she says on a giggle, “Dang, Sophia, you hadn’t told us he’s a total hottie.”

Madison laughs next to her. “She was probably too busy with Heath to notice.”

A full-out snort-laugh erupts on my left from Quinn. “You mean just like you are so completely obsessed with everything Shawn these days?”

Madison’s face picks up a pretty pink color. “Maybe.” She winks back at Quinn. “And what was that vibe you were throwing out there just now?”

“I don’t know what you are referring to.”

Zoey’s brow wrinkles as she focuses her attention on me. “Well, what’s up with you, birthday girl? No commentary? I would have thought you’d be all over this conversation.”

With a swift shake of my head, I lift the bottle of cider to my lips so I don’t have to say anything right away and take a nice, long drink. When I set it back on the table, all five pairs of eyes are glued to me, mouths parted in surprise. I know I’m not behaving like my usual self. I can’t help it. I don’t know how to act. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know if I should say anything.

Things have been amazing with Sawyer this week, but every time I turn around, Ed is texting me another nude photo. Tormenting me. Provoking me. Taunting me. Sometimes, the shots are zoomed in so you can’t tell it’s me, but in others, my face is included for anyone to see should they be sitting next to me when the text comes in.

Right before we’d been seated tonight, he’d sent me a photo of my nipple. My freaking nipple. I’m so done with him I don’t know what to do with myself. The idea that he’d eventually send these to someone else is almost more than I can take. And what’s coming across loud and clear is that he expects me to stop seeing Sawyer. He’ll use whatever means necessar

y to hurt me since I don’t want to be with him. I fully expect him to send the photos to Sawyer first, and if that doesn’t work, he’ll go to the administration to get me removed as Sawyer’s mentor. This is why I’m on the verge of just telling everyone what’s going on. It’s all going to come out anyway. Better to get ahead of it. Besides, I need advice. Big-time. I’m just not quite ready.

Piper lowers her voice, “Is it Ed again? I know you told us he was still bugging you when we got back from break. And … Jake kind of mentioned something about him arguing with you in the workroom the other day.” She grimaces. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you I knew about it, but poor Jake was worried.”

“He’s been a pain, yeah. He—” My throat goes dry just as Liam shows up with our fresh bottles of cider, saving me from spilling. I’m a frickin’ mess.

“Sorry to interrupt. This is our Orchard Classic Cider.” As he hands them out around the table, he says, “It’s our most popular, as well as my favorite.” He folds his arms in front of him as we sample it. “You should be able to taste notes of pineapple, honey, and tart apple.”

Quinn takes a small sip, her eyes on Liam. “I kind of love it. Refreshing.”

Liam inclines his head with a wink. “I’m glad you approve.” He looks around the table as he backs away. “I’ll let you get back to your conversation.”

We thank Liam, and as soon as he’s out of earshot, Sophia turns with her mouth hanging open to Quinn and pokes her. “What was with that look you gave him?”

“He’d do nicely.” She glances around our circle as she hands off the rest of her cider to Sophia. “What? Girls, my lady parts haven’t seen a man in so long, they are as dry and dusty as the Sahara. I swear there are cobwebs in there. I wouldn’t mind if he gave me a hand in rectifying that situation.” She shrugs and gives us all a theatrical wink.

Zoey snorts a little, and the girls dissolve into giggles. I’m relieved that attention appears to have shifted from me to Quinn. As far as I’m concerned, it can stay there.

No such luck. It’s not even ten seconds later when Piper snaps her attention right back on me. “So, what were you going to tell us, Had? And what's up with your lack of lewd jokes and bawdy comments?” She takes a sip from her bottle and eyes me carefully.

Suddenly, I have the urge to go ahead and tell them everything. As I look around the group, I know I can trust every single one of these women. My pulse kicks into high gear and my palms sweat. “I feel like I need that sign that’s in your office, Zoey.”

Zoey looks confused for a second while Piper glances at her and wrinkles her nose. “The one I gave her for the Secret Santa exchange, you mean? About it being a safe place to spill the tea?”

I grit my teeth together, nodding. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

Madison’s eyes widen. “Does this have to do with Sawyer?”

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