AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Now, let’s feed these fuckers,” Bernie says, rubbing her hands together. “Shall the plating begin?”
“They’re all here, right?” Jamila peeks out the door and into the main room. Then she scurries back. “Yep, they’re all here.” She looks nervous. “The entire freaking Crowley family.”
“What do you care?” I ask, nudging her. “We’re doing your family tomorrow, don’t forget.”
Her cheeks turn red. “They’re going to slaughter us.”
“The Crowleys?”
“No, my aunts. My god. We won’t have enough donuts and they’ll riot.”
I bark a laugh, kiss her cheek, and the crew gets plating. Once the donuts are moved from the cooling racks to proper serving trays, we begin carrying them out, arranging them on the front counter, and inviting our guests to take samples.
There’s Molly with Finn and Dara and their baby boy, laughing about something, trying a chocolate-filled. Next to them is Carson, glaring at a simple vanilla cake, before shoving it into his mouth. That man probably hasn’t had an actual donut in forever. Roger’s there with the crew, laughing, drinking coffee, talking shit. “Worth all the work!” he calls out, holding up one of my personal donuts, the best of the batch. Beside him are other Crowley men I don’t know but recognize by sight: lieutenants, captains, important men with important wives.
But sitting alone toward the back is my husband, chewing on a simple glazed.
“Well?” I ask him as Jamila makes the rounds, shaking hands, making nice. “What do you think?”
He doesn’t even look at the donut. He can only stare at me. “You’re incredible.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” I say, blushing. “Seriously. How is it?”
“Seriously, it’s good.” He eats the whole thing in two massive bites. “I should pace myself though. I want to try them all.”
“Easy there. I don’t want you dying of a heart attack at thirty.”
“Good thing I’m thirty-four.” He stands, wraps his arms around me, and pulls me into a tight hug.
I stay like that for a minute, the murmur of conversation around us disappearing as I’m lost in my husband’s embrace. I look up and kiss him, grinning my face off.
“There she is.” Molly appears at my elbow. “Darling, these donuts are absolutely incredible. I knew they would be, but my word. How did you do it?”
“Hard work,” I say. Nolan’s arm drapes over my shoulder, hugging me against him.
“We’re impressed,” she says, her eyes sparkling. “I’m very happy to call you my daughter-in-law.”
“What if the donuts weren’t good?”
“I would’ve been less happy. But we don’t need to worry about that.”
“Mother,” Nolan says with a laugh.
Then Finn’s there, congratulating me, along with his sweet wife, Dara. I don’t know them well yet, but Ash promises they’re good people, and I can’t wait to spend more time with them.
Even Carson admits he’s enjoying himself. “Carbs and sugar aren’t my thing, but I could gorge myself on these little fuckers.”
“That’s high praise from him,” Nolan says, grinning.
“Thank you, Carson.”
“Now where’s my wife? I haven’t seen her in minutes.”
“In the back. Wait, in minutes? How long do you usually go without seeing her?”
“Seconds, if I can help it.” He storms off.
Nolan sighs. “Psychopath. Truly a psychopath.”
