Page 78 of Shattered Hearts

“All right, let’s go in. I can’t feel my fingers anymore,” Holden grumbles, slipping on his thick denim jacket. I pull mine on and follow them out to Reid and Macie’s little house. It’s drizzling, and the sight of the ranch at night, glistening with a sheen of moisture, almost looks magical.

Pushing open the front door, Cole walks right in, rushing up to Laynie, who is holding a bowl of buttered popcorn. “Laynie Moo!”

I slip my boots off and close the door behind me, trailing Holden. Cole and Laynie locked in an embrace. She’s grinning, all teeth and shininess. Cole then moves onto Macie.

Laynie meets my eye, her smile dropping a fraction as she steps closer. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, Holden and I fixed Betsie. She should be fine to drive home tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” She hugs me with one arm, the other holding the bowl as if she’s scared of putting it down and losing it to one of my brothers.

I scoop her up, my nose digging into her hair. Surrounded by sweetness and strawberries. Delicious. She always smells of springtime.

“It was nothing,” I murmur against her head before pulling away.

She lifts her chin, her gaze dropping down my face to my nose, mouth, then neck before flickering away to see what Macie is laughing about. I take the opportunity to take some popcorn, and Laynie smacks my shoulder gently. “You sneak.”

“But it’s so good,” I get out between bites.

Snickering, she grabs onto my hand, the feeling sending shooting nerves up my arm as she walks me over to the container on the bench. My stomach grumbles at the various desserts she brought with her. She always knows exactly what to bring. I think it’s why my family likes her so much. That, and because she’s genuinely a sweet person.

Assessing the pastries, I chew on my bottom lip before smiling up at her. “Have I ever told you how grateful I am that you’re a baker?”

I feel her pinch my side, and I flinch, letting out a laugh. She giggles, soft and light like warm sunshine. I grab her wrist before she has time to escape, pinching her side.

“Okay, okay. Truce!” she squeals.

Chuckling, I let her go and realise how quiet it is. Macie, Reid, Holden, and Cole watch us from the living room. They wear knowing looks, and I swallow, taking the paper container before my hands betray me and hold onto Laynie again.

“What movie are we picking?” I ask, changing the subject before any of them ask what’s going. Not even I know… Maybe I should have them question Laynie and I? The truth might come out if they do, but I also don’t give them the chance.

I don’t want to be turned down. Especially not in front of my brothers. That would be ruthless.

Brushing past Laynie, I see her hesitation for a beat before following me to the couch, sitting between Holden and me. I place the container on the coffee table and take a raspberry croissant. Macie picks up a muffin.

Reid picks an action movie, and we settle in for the film. I devour the croissant. Laynie holds out the popcorn to me, and we both pick at it. My arm slides around the top of the couch, resting above Laynie’s shoulders, and her mouth twitches.

I bite the inside of my cheek, wanting to know what’s running through her mind. Does she want my arm on her? Should we be sitting this close? It’s not like we haven’t before, but that was before I found out about the baby. Can she feel what I feel? Is her body just as heated as mine?

Sucking in a breath, I catch Macie watching us out of the corner of her eye from the other couch. I clear my throat softly. I don’t move my arm, instead letting it hang close to Laynie, yet so far away. As much as I want to hold her hand or something, I won’t do that. Especially not in front of my brothers. I won’t hear the end of it if they see anything.

I now understand how this was so hard for Reid and Macie. Not making anything obvious while constantly needing to be next to the person. It’s addictive and satisfying, and I greedily want more.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Laynie

Is it normal to get butterflies every time your best friend looks at you, does any sort of act of service, or just simply sends you a text? Because right now, it feels like I have a damn zoo in my stomach with how many collywobbles I have.

On Monday, Grayson bought me a whole bag of groceries from the market and cooked my family spaghetti and meatballs. That’s one of my favourite dishes of all time, and the meatballs were perfectly delicate. The way they melted in my mouth had me humming with happiness.

Tuesday, there were a bunch of blue and white flowers waiting for me when I got to the café. My first thought was that Hazel or Mum must have left them like they have on occasion, but to my delight, the note said that it was from my favorite blondie.

There’s only one blondie in my world.

Wednesday, Grayson took me to Ashwood Afterhours with Reid and Macie. We played pool while having a few drinks. I, of course, had mocktails, and Grayson even tried one and enjoyed it. Dropping me off at home, he kissed my cheek, and I felt my face flood with heat. He waited until I got inside before leaving the porch. He’s such a gentleman when he wants to be.

Yesterday was a hectic day at the bakery, followed by an appointment with Fiona, which Sadie joined me for. It was just to check my blood work and to make sure everything was fine. After the appointment, she gave me a card with my ultrasound time for next week. I giggled about it as Sadie drove us back to Ashwood. As soon as I walked into Golden Hour, Grayson was there with Reid waiting for me. The way he smiled when he saw me was different. It felt loaded. Yearning, almost.