“Don’t look now, but here comes your man in that gray sweatsuit,” Bea mutters under her breath. We’re having a coffee and a catch up in the bakery after closing time. Morgan, Ali and Lexi popped in, and my mom is here too, but she’s still out back cleaning some of the kitchen stuff away.
“Tristan told me he’s assisting the coach with the kids’ soccer team?” Ali asks as I put a fresh batch of chocolate croissants in the middle of the table, direct from the oven, and straighten my apron out for good measure. I know there’s always a strong possibility that I will have flour or something stuck in my hair, but Brad is used to it by now.
“Yes, he’s been quite a hit with the kids since he started dropping off Deaton and staying to watch the practice games,” I say. “And any chance to see him in those sweats, I’ll take it.”
Everyone laughs.
“You definitely tamed the wild beast,” Lexi says. “I’m so happy for you both. And you got to keep the bakery.”
“Me too.” Morgan claps her hands together. “I know it got really intense there for a while.”
“Thank you, it’s been a whirlwind.” I smile. “The dust is starting to settle, maybe then I’ll believe it’s actually real.”
“We need to have a girls’ night,” Bea declares. “And celebrate properly, especially with this new magazine offer.”
“That sounds like a good idea once I get the shoot out of the way this weekend,” I agree, just as the back door swings open and Brad and Deaton come bursting in. Deaton runs straight over and starts telling us about practice and what he got up to during the day. I lean down to give Deaton a kiss and immediately smile up at Brad, and he gives me a wink.
“Ladies.” He nods by way of greeting. “Looks like Deat and I arrived at the right time.”
“Perfect timing.” I smile as he wraps an arm around me and kisses the top of my head. I’m still getting used to everything being out in the open with us, even though we’ve been pretty much inseparable since the auction.
“I just need to steal Chels away for a second,” Brad says as we both watch Deaton reach over to the big plate in the center of the table to grab a spare croissant.
“I bet you do.” Bea winks. I don’t miss her and Morgan share a little giggle.
I try to shush them with my eyes, but they just laugh it off.
“Deat and I have a surprise for you,” he says, though Deaton’s made himself quite at home in one of the little booth seats with Ali and Lexi to eat his snack.
“Do tell.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“You have to come out to your minivan with me,” he says.
The girls all make cooing noises, and Deaton joins in as Brad takes me by the hand and leads me up the hallway to the back door. He waves to my mom as we by-pass the kitchen, and as soon as we’re outside he pulls me into him and pushes me up against the brick wall of the bakery. His lips find mine at the same time his hips press into me.
“Happy to see me?” I murmur as we get all hot and breathy in a matter of seconds.
“Always.” He nuzzles into my hair and I stretch my arms around his neck. We make the most of the free moment together, because no doubt the minute my son finishes his croissant, he’ll come find us.
“Well, I’m always happy to see you in that snazzy Wanderers sweatsuit.”
“I’m one of the team now.” He grins. “There’s no getting rid of me.”
I laugh. “Like any of us would want to.”
“Wanna see your surprise?”
“I thought you’d ever ask.”
He pushes off the wall and walks me over to the minivan.
“Honey, if you think we’re going to get away with a quickie—” I’m about to tell him he can think again, when he pulls the door open in one swoop to reveal a backseat full of pink rose bouquets and pink and white balloons bobbing around. Pink roses are my absolute favorite.
My hands fly up to my face. “What is this for?” I cry excitedly.
He wraps his arms around me from behind, his keen erection digging into the crease of my butt. “An early birthday present for next week, just a little taster of what’s to come. Deat and I thought it would be fun to see how many dozen roses and pink balloons we could fit into the van.”
My eyes bug wide at the sight. This must’ve cost him a king’s ransom, but he clearly doesn’t care. “This is so sweet and thoughtful, and?—”
