His smirk softens as he gives me a slow but deep kiss. “You taste so good.”
I mumble something about how he’s turning into a sap, as my cheeks flush a darker shade of pink. I hop out of the truck before Alex can stop me. He watches until I enter the bakery before pulling away. The bell above the door chimes as I step inside and Liv’s voice immediately cuts through the air.
“Okay, no. Absolutely not. You do not get to disappear for a whole damn week and waltz in here lookin’ like—” she gestures at me dramatically, “like a woman who has been thoroughlyoccupied.”
Sophia snorts behind the counter, wiping both hands on her apron. “She’s glowing. It’s actually kind of disgusting.”
I sigh, setting my bag down on a stool. “Good morning to you, too.”
Liv narrows her eyes. “Explain.”
“Explain what?”
Sophia places a white plate with a croissant in front of me, giving an amused look.
“You know what.”
I take a slow bite just to mess with them. “Fine. You want the truth?”
Liv crosses her arms. “Yes.”
I shrug. “Alex has been staying at my place. It’s… nice.”
Their eyes widen in unison.
Liv is the first to recover. “Okay, first of all, what?” She turns to Sophia. “Did I miss the part where she and Alex went from enemies to a full blown couple?”
Soph shakes her head, equally as stunned. “I feel like we skipped several chapters, for sure.”
I sign, leaning against the counter. “It kind of just… happened.”
Liv leans in, eyes narrowing suspiciously at me. “How did he handle the transplant thing?”
I hesitate for a second, then tell them everything: how I toldhim, how he was upset I hadn’t said anything sooner, and how Cam found out about us.
Liv groans, rubbing her temples. “Oh my god. How bad was it?”
I wince. “Screaming. Threats. Something about ending Alex if he hurts me. With Cam, I expected nothing less.”
Sophia whistles. “Damn.”
I nod. “But Alex held his ground. He’s still alive.” I pause, picking at the flakey edges of the croissant. “For now, at least.”
Liv studies me for a second before nudging my arm. “Don’t get in your head about it.”
I exhale, then shake it off, changing the subject. “Are you guys coming to my birthday and Thanksgiving dinner at the restaurant tomorrow?”
Frankie and I were born on November 28th, almost twenty-nine years ago. This year, it just so happens to fall on the same day as Thanksgiving.
Sophia claps her hands together. “Absolutely. I’m bringing pumpkin pie.”
Liv grins, “Wouldn’t miss it.”
I smile, as a little smidge of normalcy blooms in my chest.
I’m halfwaythrough eating a second croissant when the bakery door swings open, and in walks Alex. His presence fills the space like he owns it.
Liv leans closer, whispering, “Your guard dog is here.”
