Page 19 of With You

“Oh.” I sat up, looking around me. We were parked by a large building. “Is this the hotel?”

“It is. Come.” He left the car. “I’ll check us in, we can get settled and then I’ll take you out.”

“For pizza?” I asked, a little too excitedly.

He chuckled. “Definitely pizza and other stuff.”

I grinned, leaving the car and helping him with the bags. “Thank you, Shade. For this.”

“It’s only just begun, Little Lamb.” He kissed the top of my head. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

My body stirred at the deep vibrato of his voice. I was hungry too. But not for pizza.

Shade

Even though it hadbeen quite a while since I had gone to the pizza place I had fallen in love with in Toledo, I remembered it like I had only been there the day before.

“This pizza is good. Too fucking good. I could eat ten of them and not be ashamed in the least.”

I smiled at my best friend.

Sunny patted his stomach, sitting back in his seat. He took a swig of his beer, his eyes meeting mine over the rim.

I looked at him a little too long. I shouldn’t have been staring but he was hot. Some could even say he was beautiful in a way. If only I could tell him how I felt.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, placing the bottle on the table in front of him. “Do I have anything on my face?” He wiped his mouth and chin. “Shade?”

I shook my head. “No.”You’re perfect.

“Shade?”

Meadow’s voice brought me back to the present. Her brow was furrowed in the middle.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about Sunny.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Oh.” She grabbed my hand, placing it on her lap. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“Don’t be.” We didn’t usually share the same side of a booth. I liked to sit across from her so I could look at her whenever I wanted but this time, I wanted to hold her. Touch her. Be a little too close to her while we ate our supper.

“I miss him too and wish he were here with us.” She looked up at me then, her eyes shining. “I feel like we didn’t get enough time with him.” She placed her hand on her stomach, a shuddered breath leaving her. “I wish he could know his children.”

“Same,” I murmured, my voice thick.

“So, tell me something. Nothing ever happened between you two before me?”

I shook my head. “Nope. You were our glue, baby, and you gave us that push we needed.”

“I’m honored that you let me into your little duo.” She gave me a small smile. “I know I’ve thanked you so many times already, but I mean it, Shade. Thank you.”

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I pulled her into my side and kissed the spot by her ear, letting my lips linger. “Thank me later, Little Lamb.”

“Oh I plan on it, Baby Boy.” A wicked grin spread on her face.

My cock twitched. “Fuck, I can’t wait.”

As if she knew, her gaze dropped to my lap, her tongue peeking out to lick along her bottom lip. “Apparently something else can’t wait either.”

A laugh boomed through me. “You have this way, Little Lamb.”

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