"You're welcome."
"What made you change your mind?"
"Quinn."
"And Quinn is...?" I wrack my brain, trying to remember that name.
"My sister's fiancé’s little brother."
"Remind me to thank him later."
"He accepts gratitude in the form of protein shakes and tickets to drag shows."
"Noted." A chorus of applause, mixed with disappointment, sounds from the back of the house. "That's my cue to head back."
"What's the next event?"
"I believe it's an eating competition."
"Oooo, I'll help with that!"
"Really?"
"Mhm."
I can't pull away just yet, so I run my finger across her bottom lip. "What forms of gratitude do you accept, Blake?"
"I'll tell you later."
A groan rumbles in the back of my throat at the thought of all the things I want to do to her to show her how much I appreciate her showing up today.
"Wouldn't want you to get hard in front of the children."
Another groan, and I'm tapping my forehead against hers. "Shit. You're right."
She laughs and shoves me off her. "Come on, Kass. The kids are waiting."
"I'm just gonna stand here for a minute."
She knows exactly what she's doing to me. Her cackle makes me want to pin her back against the house and show her that I'm in charge. But she's right. Now is not the time nor the place for that.
"Later, Blake. I'll make you pay for this later."
Chapter Thirty-Six
KASS
The party is coming to an end, and I couldn't be happier with how today went. I'm running on fumes due to my lack of sleep last night and all the energy it took to pull off the grandest birthday party I've ever thrown. But the look that's been plastered on Clover's face all day has been so worth it.
The last of the guests are leaving, and those of us remaining are picking up all the crap in the back yard. It seriously looks like a tornado blew through. Raina and Winnie stayed behind to help, as did Blake. From where I'm standing in the corner of the yard, I can see all four of my favorite girls. I take a moment to appreciate what I have, knowing that at any moment some or all of them could be taken away from me. I fight back the tears that flood my eyes, knowing that if any of them saw me right now, I wouldn't ever live it down.
My bubble of joy lasts all of one minute before it bursts. Coming through the gate on the side of the house is Jade. My blood starts to boil, and I have to take a quick deep breath to collect myself.
"Hey, Lovie, could you and Winnie go grab some more garbage bags, please?"
"Okay," she shouts back before the two girls run into the house.
Raina gives me a confused look, then gestures to the roll of garbage bags down by her feet. I nod toward the side of the house where Jade is just coming around the corner, where Raina can now see her.
