Page 12 of Butter My Biscuit

It doesn’t take long before we’re finished eating. I wash our dishes and then doomscroll on social media to busy my mind as Grace quietly works on her laptop.

She’s the receptionist at the local newspaper, but she’s also been helping my older sister, Kinsley, with a new weekly article that’s launching the first week of January. It’s called Dear Kinsley, and my sister is answering anonymous questions from the townsfolk.

Hours pass, and we have lunch, and then Grace rejects Joey’s call. And I know it’s him because of the number of vibrations her phone does. I look over my shoulder at her, hoping she changed her mind.

“It’s a part of my plan. We were supposed to FaceTime and get naked … which means he’s ready for me.”

“Eww.Waytoo much information. Keep that shit to yourself.”

“I’ve got to get dressed!”

She’s giddy, and I love seeing her this happy.

“Nothin’ to worry about at all. Promise ya that,” I confirm, trying to be as supportive as possible. My lower back hurts from sitting on this concrete couch all day.

She stands and rushes to the bedroom. “I’ll be right back.”

When the door closes, I lean my head back, knowing I need to snap out of this funk. I take in a few deep breaths and promise myself that I won’t barge through his door and ask him a million questions before I leave her there. I will not bash his face in. I will not sit outside of his house and wait like a stalker.

I run my fingers through my hair.

When Grace returns, she’s wearing a long black trench coat over her curvy body. The waist is cinched with a tie, and her hair is in bouncy curls. Her high heels match the ruby-red lipstick she’s wearing, and I can see the black fishnets. If I had to guess though, I’d say they’re thigh-highs. More her style.

My mouth slightly parts, and she nearly steals my damn breath away. My best friend is fucking gorgeous.

“Too much?” She chews on the corner of her plump bottom lip—something she sometimes does when she’s nervous.

“No.” I clear my throat and stand. “Not at all. Give me a spin.”

She does and then tucks hair behind her ear before breaking eye contact.

“He’d better never let you go.”

She grins. “I hope he doesn’t.”

There was more Iwantedto say, but the moment passes me by like a warm summer breeze. So, I change the subject. “Give me five, and I’ll be ready too.”

As I pass her, I stop and place my hand on her shoulder. “You’ve got this.”

She shoves her hands in her deep pockets. “I do.”

I grab my duffel from the floor and pull out some jeans and a polo, and then I go to the bathroom. I lean against the door for a few seconds, knowing I need to stop the turmoil swirling inside of me.

I’m just afraid of losing my bestie.

I’ve been warned about this over and over—that one day, one of us would find a partner and forget about the other. I’ve seen it with a lot of my guy friends who get married. Hell, even my brother, Beckett. His life now revolves around Summer. And Grace’s will revolve around Joey’s while I’m still fucking around to forget.

I almost feel guilty for being so …selfish. For wanting to keep her all to myself. But my intuition is hardly wrong, especially when it comes to her.

I splash cold water on my face, hoping it will jolt some sense into me. It doesn’t, so I push away the nagging thoughts and plaster a cocky-as-fuck smile on my face. I’m good at pretending. Well-practiced.

Once I’m dressed, I meet her in the living room. As I slip on my boots, I steal glances at Grace.

When she looks at me, I laugh and shake my head.

“What?”

“Nothin’.”

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