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“Why don’t I come over tomorrow and paint your toes,” I offer Lexi, changing the subject. I mean I know I’m staying with Sawyer again tonight, but I should be back at my place mid-morning, right? Early afternoon at the latest, I’m sure.
Maybe?
“Thanks, AJ, but Linkin already did it last night when we watched Sixteen Candles,” she says, making us all abandon our bomb-making and look at her. “What? It was my night to pick.”
For the next five minutes, we mix in the rest of our ingredients and start to press out bath bombs. I opt for plain Jane circles, especially since I’m going to leave a few of them at Sawyer’s house. I’m not sure if he’ll use them or not, or maybe it’s just an excuse for me to go over and use his big bathtub. We’re just setting them down on the tray to dry, the air a mixture of soothing lavender and tantalizing strawberry, when the door flies open.
“That didn’t take long,” Jaime mumbles under her breath as Linkin leads the charge into the room, followed by Ryan, Levi, and Sawyer.
“What are you doing here? It’s been like thirty-eight minutes,” Lexi demands, trying to get up, but failing. Linkin is right there, placing his hand under her arm to help. “I got it!” she chastises, but fails again. “Fine. You can help,” she mumbles dejectedly.
“Do you have to use the bathroom?” he asks sweetly as he helps her stand.
“No, I don’t have to use the bathroom,” she grumbles as she stands. “Crap, now I have to use the bathroom.”
We all watch as she waddles toward the restrooms, Linkin hot on her heels, trying to be supportive, but getting his ass chewed the entire way. The best part is when she has her back turned, we can see the small grin on his face. I think he’s doing it on purpose, but I’m not about to jump in the middle of their power struggles by asking.
“How’s it going?” Sawyer asks, his warm breath tickling my ear.
“Excellent. Lexi was just telling us how much she loves and hates Linkin. It’s quite entertaining,” I tell him.
“What is this mess?” he asks, turning his attention to the colorful sand-like material scattered all over the table.
“Bath bombs. I may or may not have made a sandalwood one for you,” I reply with a wink.
“Is that a manly scent? I only want manly scented bath bombs for my nightly soak, AJ.”
“Definitely manly,” I confirm as I turn and press my chest into his. “But maybe it would help if you had a bath partner. Then, it wouldn’t matter what the scent was,” I suggest.
“A bath partner, you say?” He pretends to really think about that idea. “That could work, as long as I can turn on the jets.”
“Oh, the jets are mandatory. Who would use a tub like that without the jets?” I ask, feigning disbelief.
“That is true,” he says, wrapping his hand around my waist. “So, do you get to take the bombs home with you tonight? I think we should test this sandalwood.”
“They’re supposed to dry for twenty-four hours,” I tell him.
“Let me get this straight. You make them with wet material, have to let them dry, just so you can throw them in the bathtub?” he asks.
I stare at him for several heartbeats, but realize I don’t have a logical explanation. “You just singlehandedly wrecked the entire bath bomb industry.” That earns me a little chuckle that’s deep and sultry. My lady parts stand up and beg.
“Okay, so I’ve noticed Lexi grimace at least twice since we’ve been here,” Abby says, concern etched on her face.
“She said it was those Braxton thingies.”
“Is it?” Lexi’s twin asks.
“How would I know? I’ve never had a baby,” I argue.
“No one here has,” she reminds me. “Where’s Dean?”
Payton overhears the question and walks our way. “He’s home with Bri. She wasn’t feeling well, so he decided to stay home instead of taking her to spend the night with Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa. Why?”
“He’s the only one here who’s had a baby. I was wondering about those Braxton thingies.”
“They’re like practice contractions,” Payton says.
“I know, but I could tell by the look on her face that she was really in pain. Plus, she’s really uncomfortable. She wouldn’t say, but I know. I feel it,” Abby whispers, really worried about her sister.
