Page 110 of Control Us (Next Generation 1)

“Ashton.” I wrung my hands in my lap. “I’m not sure why. I don’t know if he was just trying to make Zach jealous. But it was weird. Really weird.”

“I’m not surprised. Aiden is the levelheaded one, but Ashton always reacts first before thinking.” She let out a huff. “I just want things to be back to normal. But I know that’ll never happen. Anyway.” She clapped her hands together. “Tell me about you and Zach. Please.”

“Oh gosh, that’s boring.”

She laughed. “As if. Have you seen him? He’s beautiful in a broken, dark kind of way.”

“He is.” I sighed. “He told me he loves me.”

“Oh, Luna.” Piper turned her body toward me. “That’s wonderful. You guys are going to have pretty babies before you know it and make us aunties. God, I want to be an auntie.”

I laughed. “Let’s not get carried away.”

“Why? You two would make beautiful kids. I can’t wait.”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t help but smile. The idea of Zach getting me pregnant…I cleared my throat, not needing to think about that right at the moment. As much as I wanted kids, Zach and I had some other stuff to work through first. Not that either of us wanted to discuss it.

At that moment, the patio door opened, revealing Zach.

My breath caught.

“We should head out soon,” he said, looking squarely at me.

I nodded, rising from the couch. “I’ll see you soon,” I told Piper.

“Have fun,” she sang.

I laughed, heading into the house.

Zach peered down at me.

“You good?” I asked, placing my hand on his chest.

He nodded but he wouldn’t look my way.

My heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he finally said, brushing his fingers down the length of my arm. A path of goosebumps followed.

“Alright, lovebirds.” Meadow came up to us, holding a plate of cookies. “Try these. They’re healthy. I made them for Gigi so she could still get her treats in while she’s training.”

“But it doesn’t help when they’re so damn good that I want to eat them all.” Gigi slumped onto the couch and patted her stomach.

“I don’t think you could ever get fat, if that’s what you’re implying.” Ashton sat beside her and stole a cookie off her plate before stuffing it into his mouth. “I don’t give a shit if these are healthy. Meadow, you’re a fucking queen.”

Gigi coughed, her cheeks reddening.

I laughed.

Meadow giggled.

And the guys looked at us like we were sporting appendages out of our foreheads.

“What was that about?” Zach asked, snatching another cookie off the plate Meadow was holding.

“I’ll tell you later,” I told him.

“So, I’m going to take these and head to the studio.” Gigi shot up off the couch before anyone could argue. She grabbed her purse off the chair and quickly left the house.

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