Page 53 of Never Going to Care

Before it can become awkward, Isabella cuts in, “I’m Isabella, but you can call me Bella. I’m the eldest sister.”

Raegan is practically bouncing up and down. It’s good to see her so excited. I know it’s all about to change soon. For whatever reason, as soon as Christmas decorations come out, my sister’s bright light and sparkling personality is overtaken by a big fucking Grinch. It happens every year and we all just try and weather the storm.

“I’m Raegan,” she practically shouts. “I’m the baby of the group,” she huffs out the words and rolls her eyes as if she wasn’t spoiled rotten by being the youngest.

She totally was and we all know it. Hell, even she knows it. There were times she was babied, but she also got away with the most. I think Ma was just too damn tired after going through all the childhood stages three times by the time Raegan was going through them. Or she just learned that when it comes to the Torres kids, we’re all strong willed and willing to do anything to get what we want.

“Hi,” there’s a shy note in Celeste’s voice, “it’s nice to meet you.”

“This is Celeste. She’s mine,” I lay it out there like a damn gauntlet and I’m not going to take it back even as Bella and Raegan freeze and look at me with wide eyes.

I shrug one shoulder and shoot my girl a wink. She knows she’s mine. I know she’s mine. Why shouldn’t the rest of the world? I’m sure as fuck not going to hide it.

I don’t need to, and it would only hurt us if I did.

“Wow,” Bella breathes out. “Okay then.”

Celeste lets out a nervous laugh and shoots me a pointed look which I can only grin at in response. She purses her lips, but then gives her focus and attention back to my sisters. It makes my heart flip in my chest. She really is more than she realizes.

“I love your bakery and the éclairs are delicious,” she compliments. “I don’t know if I should be thankful Hale brought me here or forever angry. I don’t know how many days I’ll be able to go without having one of these now.”

My sisters smile from ear to ear and thank my woman. Justice catches my eye and gives me two big thumbs up. I let myself get swept away in the way my sisters and Celeste gush about the bakery and chat lightly.

I didn’t realize how important this was to me until right now. I wanted them to get along. I wanted them to meet and to forge a friendship. I’m so fucking glad it worked out.

“We’ll have to do a girl’s night out,” Celeste insists. “Piper and Stella would love you guys.” Her eyes light up. “We’ll have to invite Ella too.”

Isabella shakes her hips a little and exclaims, “Yes, please!” She points at me. “You’ll have to leave him at home though.”

Celeste throws her head back and laughs. “I could try.”

“You’d fail,” I growl and glower at my sisters. “Don’t encourage her. I’m not letting my woman go out with the three of you troublemakers without backup.”

Raegan tsks me. “That’s not nice.” She cuts her eyes toward Celeste and insists, “We don’t get into that much trouble.”

“I like a little bit of trouble.” Celeste holds up her fingers to show just how much with a big smile on her face.

Bella wraps an arm around Celeste’s shoulders and giggles. She looks at me. “I like her. You did good.”

“I did,” I intone seriously, the words full of the pride which warms my chest.

Celeste blushes when she looks at me and rolls her eyes to try and cover the affect my words have on her. Justice serves the last customer at the counter and then comes out from behind it, a small box in her hands. She hands it to me, and I box up the few éclairs left on the plate to let them chat for a few more minutes.

As much as I’m enjoying them getting along, I’m ready to get my woman home. I need her in my arms. I need to soak up her sweetness and her joy.

When I’m all done, I stand up and gently pull Celeste back against my chest and out of my sister’s clutches. My sister’s eyes light up at the action and I grin at them. My Starlight rests back against my chest, her hand covering my forearm where I’m cradling her middle.

When her nails run over my skin, my cock twitches against her. She looks up at me over her shoulder with a coy smile on her lips. When she winks at me, I have to force myself not to rush her out of here.

I don’t know how I hold on, but I manage to get through the exchanging of numbers, the goodbyes and the promises to meet up soon. My heart feels so fucking full as I herd my woman back to the car, get her buckled up and we head home.

Home.

It has a new meaning now with Celeste. I don’t want the feeling to go away. I don’t want her to leave.

I know we’re going to have to talk about it and soon. I just hope she’s open to listening to me. I hope she’s open to giving it a real chance. Even if it’s fast. Even if it might not make a lot of sense on paper.

I know what I feel in my heart, and I know she feels the same way.

---