AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Amusement rippling through me at her exuberance, I return the squeeze. “Hey, girl. Good to see you again.”
Klein greets her warmly when she ditches me for him, eagerly soaking in all the love she can. “Hey, Sammy. How are the twins doing in there?”
She smacks the side of her belly playfully and hoists herself onto the bar stool. “Still cooking. Two fat little hams doing their best to make me look like a pig.”
Sawyer’s brow furrows, and he feigns shock, one hand clutching his upper chest. “My goodness, woman. Don’t talk about the twins like that.” He bends and pointedly stares at her boobs, then shifts his face toward her round belly. “And also, don’t talk about our fetuses.”
I snort, trying to hold back my loud guffaw.
After greeting us newcomers, Sawyer returns to his spot nestled behind her, his hands protectively on her shoulders. As chit-chat commences, he periodically massages her back.So sweet.
Kri and Shep return to their seats at the high-top table on Sammy’s left, leaving two chairs for Klein and me opposite them. He instantly pulls out his phone to check on his mother, then nods to reassure me that she’s fine.
Once we’re all seated— except Sawyer because he had too much coffee to sit, most likely— Cal’s hand makes it under the table and rests above my knee. Not regretting wearing a skirt one bit. His hand on my bare skin is always a welcome sensation.
A server swings by, grabs our drink orders, and scurries off.
With a shake of her head, Sammy tsks at her retreating back. “I donotmiss those days.”
Shep's expression takes on a diabolical glow. “Yeah, the customers don’t miss your attitude either. I heard the Sassy Parrot’s profits increased 35 percent after you left.”
“I can only imagine. Think of all the money they save on replacing broken plates alone.” Sammy plays along, not the least bit annoyed by being the butt of his joke.
A girl after my own heart.
Between her and Kri, I hit the girlfriend lottery. Throw in sweet and quirky Sue— when she wants to be social— and I somehow landed right where I was born to be.
“Our tables won’t be ready for a while, since we’re waiting for two back-to-back,” Kri huffs with an eye roll. “We also asked for outdoor seating. Hope that’s okay.”
“That’s perfect,” I reply. “And it’s fine with me if you wanted to get one larger table for all of us if that shortens the wait. Whatever the group decides.”
“Oh no. No, no, no,” Sammy decrees, patting her hand on the table. “No offense to my fiancé— whom I love dearly— but I need estrogen. Badly.”
“In that case, are you sure you want me at your table?” Kri teases, embracing her not-so-girlish side.
“Wait. What did you say?” Klein tips his head dramatically in Sammy’s direction, his mouth gaping.
“Oh my gosh!” Kri catches on, her shoulders stiffening and her jaw dropping.
Beaming like a sparkling ray of sunshine, Sammy wiggles her ring finger in front of her. It’s adorned with a breathtaking and rather impressive engagement ring.
Everyone breaks out in varying levels of congratulations, hoots, and hollers.
Except Shep.
Staring crossly at the ring, he taps Sawyer in the chest with the back of his hand. “Damn, you bougie fucker. How are the rest of us supposed to top that shit?”
Shep glances at Klein for moral support. Instead of agreeing, Cal lets loose a nervous chuckle with his shoulders raised to his ears. His eyes look anywhere but at me.
Despite my rapidly strengthening feelings, I’m not expecting a ring, but I wouldn’t mind experimenting with a cock ring. Wonder if my corruptible man has ever worn one of those.
After Sawyer kisses Sammy’s ring finger and winks at her, he meets Shep’s criticism with some of his trademark humor, and unsurprisingly, a British accent. “Quit whining, mate. ’Tis no concern of mine if commoners such as you lot are helpless to embellish their ladies with the finest bobbles and trinkets.”
Shep playfully punches him in the arm while the rest of us snicker at his silliness and continue tossing congratulatory wishes at the happy couple.
A hush falls when the waitress drops off our drinks. Sammy and Kri ordered mocktails, whereas my cocktail virtually jumped off the drink menu at me. A pineapple upside-down cake in a glass— cake-flavored vodka, pineapple juice, and grenadine with a pineapple and cherry garnish.
I’m sure you’re shocked I’d order a drink with cake in the name. I’ll give you a minute to compose yourself.
