Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Laiken’s mouth curves faintly, the tension in his shoulders easing. “She definitely keeps me on my toes.”
Kia’s gaze lingers a beat too long, curiosity filling it, before she glances down at her mug. For a moment, the bakery feels suspended between laughter and a pause that stretches just long enough for something quiet and new to take shape.
The guys shift the conversation to hockey, charity events, and poker night until Laiken mentions that his sitter canceled and they might have to push it to the following week.
Oliver glances at his sister. “Kia, didn’t you used to babysit for some of the neighbors back in high school?”
She blinks in surprise. “Yeah, the Schmidt kids.”
Laiken opens his mouth to protest, but she beats him to it. “If you ever need a hand, I don’t mind helping out.” A faint flush stains her cheeks.
Laiken pauses before nodding. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
River claps Laiken on the shoulder. “Guess poker night’s back on.”
Steele grins. “You want to write me a check now or after I win?”
“Keep dreaming,” River mutters.
Laughter ripples around the group as Callie grabs a cookie from the case and slips it into a small white paper bag before handing it over. “Elody’s favorite.”
Laiken’s smile deepens. It’s the rare kind that reaches his eyes and changes his whole face. A few minutes later, the guys head out, a rush of cold following them as the door swings shut.
The sounds of the city filter in. The soothing scents of sugar and roasted coffee linger, though there’s something different in the atmosphere now.
Something that feels hopeful.
“Evelyn stopped by earlier,” Callie says with a sly grin. “She’s planning the next charity gala for Christmas.”
“Think there’ll be another bachelor auction?” Sloane asks. “And if so, will Oliver be one of the lucky guys up for grabs?”
Lilah chuckles. “Not if Rina has anything to say about it.”
Callie grins as she leans back. “Forget about Oliver. I want to know if there’ve been any new developments between Evelyn and Hugh. The last time I saw them, he mentioned she’d spent the night at his place.”
Sloane’s eyes widen. “Oh, that’s right. I’ve been dying for an update. Give us all the dirty details, Rina.”
I shake my head with a laugh. “PR mode activated—no comment.”
“Stop being a spoilsport,” Sloane says, smirking over her mug. “I’m hoping they’re having a secret torrid affair.”
Lilah snickers. “Please. For as long as I can remember, Evelyn has been at odds with that man.” She pauses, then adds with a shrug and a wink in my direction, “But stranger things have happened, like our bestie over here swearing she’d never fall for a hockey player. Especially one named Oliver Van Doren.”
Isn’t that the truth.
We keep speculating, caught somewhere between amusement and curiosity about what the next few months might bring.
Sloane lifts her mug. “To caffeine, cookies, and the women who make my life better.”
Lilah raises hers. “And to the men who somehow manage to keep up.”
Easy laughter fills the bakery again.
Outside, the day keeps moving. But in here, it feels like the world has slowed down enough to remind me what happiness really looks like.
It’s not the big wins or loud moments; it’s this.
The people you love.
The laughter that lingers.
And the quiet certainty that, for the moment, everyone’s exactly where they’re meant to be.
52
Oliver
Laiken’s penthouse is a few miles down the road from mine, with views that are just as stunning. Inside, the air vibrates with banter, laughter, and the steady clink of poker chips.
As much as I enjoy a night out with the guys, I’m already itching to get back home to Rina.
Steele leans back in his chair with a grin. “You’ve been checking your phone every five minutes since you got here. What’s going on? The Big O can’t survive two hours without his woman?”
I flip him off and rake a pile of chips toward me. “Sure, I can. But Rina’s a hell of a lot prettier to look at than you asshats.”
Knox barks out a laugh. “The man is so whipped he can’t even be bothered to deny it.”
“Not whipped,” I shoot back. “Just finally got the woman of my dreams exactly where I want her. Let me enjoy the moment.”
That earns me a chorus of groans.
Jax slaps his cards down before throwing his head back with mock disgust. “I give it three months before she has you wearing matching pajamas.”
“Already got ’em,” I say easily. “Red buffalo plaid. You’ll get to see them on the Christmas card.”
The table erupts. River shakes his head, Steele nearly spits out his beer, and Jax pretends to gag, knocking over half his stack of chips.
Laiken exhales a grunt before tossing his cards in. “Christ, can we get through one hand before O decides he needs to FaceTime Rina again?”
With a grin, I half-rise from my seat. “Actually, now that you mention it, I probably should check in on her… and Little O.”