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“No. That’s crazy. We’re fine. Don’t let some random stranger make you paranoid.”
“When the love of my life has some lunatic snooping around her closed bakery looking for his fiancée, I have a right to be worried.”
“Calm down, hulk,” she teases. “You can have your guy come check out the system, but I know it’s good. I had it installed new when I leased the building.”
“How long is your lease?”
“A year. I wanted six months, but I couldn’t get them to agree to the shorter terms. Luckily, it’s worked out, and here I am six months later and still going strong.”
“Because you kick ass.”
“Oh, go on,” she jokes.
“Is Sunday dinner still on for tonight?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“What time do we have to meet everyone at the lake?”
“Not until two.”
“Aspen is going to be there at noon. Do you care if I have her come to your place to hang out? And can we stop at the store.”
“Yes, she’s always welcome, and yes we can stop at the store. Wait, what do we need from the store?”
“I want to make something to take to dinner. We could always go back to the bakery.”
“No. I like the idea of you baking in my kitchen. Preferably, naked, but I’m thinking Aspen wouldn’t like that too much.”
“She’d cheer us on.” She laughs, digging in her purse for her phone.
I love that she’s so carefree these days. She doesn’t clam up when I talk about intimacy or tell her that she’s beautiful. I’m damn proud of how strong she is and how quickly she let the past fall behind her—where it needs to stay.
“Hey, a slight change of plans. We’re not meeting until two at the lake, so you should just come to Grant’s and hang out.” She pauses. “Okay. See you soon and drive safe.”
“She coming?”
“Yep. She’s making good time, so she should be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Sounds like Aspen has a lead foot.”
“The open road with no traffic and the radio blaring, it’s easy to do.”
“Here we are,” I say, pulling into the grocery store. “I need to pick up a few things anyway.” Together we make our way into the store. I grab a cart and begin to navigate each aisle while we both toss things into the cart. It’s very domestic, and I don’t hate it.
“Stop.” Aurora swats at my hand as I try to sneak another one of her magic bars.
“I can’t help it. They’re so good,” I say, popping one into my mouth. “And it’s magic.” I wink at her, licking my lips.
She shakes her head, a smile playing on her lips. “I’ll give you magic.”
“You two do remember that I’m sitting right here?” Aspen asks, a smile wide on her face. “I might need therapy after watching the two of you and let’s not get me started on the fact that you two are couple goals times one million. My expectations are high.” She points at me. “Thanks for that. Now I’m going to die a lonely old cat lady.”
“Who’s getting a cat?” Conrad asks, walking into the kitchen.
“Con, we’ve talked about this. You have to start knocking.”
“I saw Aspen’s car in the drive. I knew you two love birds weren’t getting your freak on with her here, or who knows—” He shrugs. “You three might be into that kind of thing.”
“Nope. No. Just no,” Aspen says vehemently.
“So, no girl-on-girl-on-guy. Are you into two…?” He raises two fingers in the air with one hand and points to his crotch with the other.
“S-Stop!” Aspen sputters with laughter. “We are not discussing my sex life or the lack thereof.”
“Aw, sweetness, you need me to help you out with that?”
“Have you been tested?” she fires back.
“Yep. And, I’ve had all my shots.” Conrad smirks.
“How do you handle this? All this Riggins testosterone all the time?” she asks her sister.
“They know she’s mine,” I answer for her.
“Oh, Aurora knows that if she wants a real man, that I can show her around,” Conrad says confidently.
“Out.” I point to the door. “You’re no longer welcome here. Don’t be slinging your game at my girl.” I’m kidding, and we all know it. Mostly. I know he’s my brother and would never make a move, but the thought of any man other than me touching Aurora still has my hackles raised.
“There!” Conrad points back at me, grinning triumphantly. “You admit I’ve got game.” He nods. “I’m telling you, Aspen, I can help you out with the dry spell.” He winks at her.
“We should leave them. Give them some alone time.” I slide up behind Aurora and wrap my arms around her waist. “We should definitely use our time wisely,” I say, kissing her neck.
“That—” Aspen points to us. “How am I supposed to have realistic expectations of a man when this is what I’m witness to?”
