Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“Guys,” I mutter, pressing my fingertips to my temples.
“Nuh uh. Nope!” Leona denounces. “Not okay. You’re always in the thick of everything, because you need to know, right? Well, so do we. So. Do. We! Ivy and Stacy are newcomers, but if they’re this invested in the Jase and Bailey love story, imagine how the rest of us feel! You can’t hold out on us, girlfriend. Spill!”
“Yikes!” I say.
“Well, I’ve watched this show for what? Twelve or thirteen seasons? And the latest season has been the most exciting.”
“Clearly,” I mutter, “Since you’re hosting watch parties on your front lawn.”
“Well… I’m not about to let you leave me on a cliffhanger for any longer than necessary.”
“Besides…” Stacy speaks up, “Since your group chat book club friends are being less than supportive, you need a new book club. A non-virtual one and this one includes treats. And a little bird told me you got a whole lot of new books. Didn’t you?” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“How is this news spreading already?” I ask.
Stacy answers. “Grey and Jase swapped vehicles this morning for some repairs Grey’s gone to make on one of their rental units. Jase told him to use the bed of the pickup only, not the backseat because you guys filled it with books last night on your date. The way Grey told me, Jase was very protective over your new books not getting dirty or bent. Care to explain?”
“Yes, explain!” Ivy chimes in, loudly.
“Wow, Ivy. Aggressive much?” I quip.
She glares at me with her pretty violet eyes. “We’re invested. All of us. We saw the emotion all over you. The way you looked at him when I first got here? The love that oozed from you? We all saw it. I hoped he’d pick you. And then he did and you were so, so crushed. It was hard to watch all that hope turn to that much hurt. We all wanted to be mad at him forever. But we’ve seen him suffer. And everyone loves Jase.”
“How could you not?” Audrey adds.
Ivy nods. “He’s a lovable guy. He messed up when it came to you. Big time. And I’m on your side, always have been, but I really hope you two work it out, as does my sister. You’ve been there for us both in a big way, including when I was at my very lowest. Love you, girlfriend!”
“You’ve been here for me, too,” Stacy adds. “And I know Erica would say the very same thing.”
“I’m not going to cry. Nope. Not going to do it!” I fan my eyes with both hands.
“You’re always there for everyone, Bail,” Roxy says. “Nobody deserves a happy ending with an awesome super alpha more than you do.”
“Hey now,” Ivy jokes. “Me and Stacy might disagree there. So would Amelia and Erica.”
“You two deserve your guys. For sure.”
“And Erica and Amie,” Ivy adds, giving Roxy a weird look.
“I was talking about legacy Arcana Falls girls. But of course,” Roxy says.
But nobody misses that there’s something uncomfortable suddenly in the air.
Roxy quickly adds, “All of you are with who you’re supposed to be with. And so are you.” She looks at me.
I know Rox portrays herself as a no nonsense, don’t-need-a-man independent type, but I didn’t miss the way she used to stare at Mason whenever he came into the bar. The minute he’d walk in, her head would turn. After I noticed it, I watched for it and it happened every single time.
I don’t think she crushed as hard on Mason as I did on Jase, definitely not as obviously because she’s too cool for that and I’m not remotely cool, but maybe she was more into him than anyone knew. I’m suddenly relieved I don’t have to watch Jase with someone else.
But I still can’t fathom a world where that happily-ever-after actually happens for me.
“First things first. How are you?” Stacy asks.
“I’m still an emotional mess,” I answer honestly, “but come on in and we’ll have our We Must Chat book club meeting.” I’ve drawn air quotes. “What treats did you bring?” I eyeball the tote bag Stacy is holding, smelling something delicious.
“Whoopie pies!”
“Whoopie!” Ivy exclaims.
I say, “I’ll get the coffee on. You guys go on and sit in the conference room.”
“I already made coffee for us and a pot of gingerbread herbal tea is brewing for the pregnant ladies,” Audrey says. “And I brought your favorite muffins, Bailey, but I’m beginning to think that’s not necessary with Stacy around.”
“The more treats the merrier,” Stacy says with a shrug.
“No more suspense. Let’s go, people!” Ivy claps her hands.
Ivy’s pretty mild-mannered, usually. Is being pregnant with a super-alpha’s baby injecting bossiness into her bloodstream?
***
“You’re all gonna see it soon enough, I guess. He… um… tattooed my name here.” I touch the spot on my own neck and as soon as I do, I hear a high-pitched yelp that’s so loud I startle.