Madi drifts to my side, her hand sliding onto my arm. “Ash is asking Hals. You okay?”
I look down at her, a smile pulling at my mouth. “Happiest I’ve been in a long time. This…” I gesture around us. “This feels right.”
I lean in, my lips brushing her ear. “The only thing that’ll top today is if I get to take you home tonight.”
Sarah clears her throat a little too loudly. “We’ll, uh, meet you guys at the diner,” she says, then takes off before either of us can say anything.
Madi starts after her, then stops, turns, and steps back into my space.
“Have you touched yourself?” she asks, her voice just loud enough that only I can hear.
I shake my head once. “You told me not to.” My voice drops, rougher. “But baby girl… please don’t make me wait any longer.”
Her eyes flash with heat and mischief. She has full control here, and she knows it.
“Say please again.”
“Please.” I lean in closer. “Fuck, please let me take you home tonight.”
Her mouth curves into a wicked smile. “We’ll see.”
Then she runs off, leaving me standing there in the middle of the arcade, trying to get air back into my lungs.
I spot everyone tucked into a booth at the back of the diner the second I step inside. The place is all chrome and checkered tiles, red vinyl booths, and the smell of fries and onion rings hovers in the air. The girls have their heads bent together, chatting and squealing about something, and Asher… He’s not even pretending to listen to the conversations around him. He’s staring at Halle like she’s the whole world, a smile stretched across his face.
“Hunter!” Halle calls, waving me over.
“I take it you said yes?” I ask, dragging a spare chair from the next table and planting myself at the end of their booth.
“You knew?” she says.
“Sweetheart, I wasn’t going to blindside your brother into this,” Asher says, leaning back.
“Is… is this okay?” Halle asks me, worry lacing through her tone.
“Shit, Halle. Of course it is. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m happy for you.”
Everyone lifts their milkshakes, cheering in celebration for them.
The waitress comes over with a cake, setting it in front of Halle. Her eyes instantly fill, tears spilling before she can blink them back.
“Aunt Hals, whys you crying?” Remi asks, lip pouting out in confusion.
“These are happy tears, Rem-Rem. I promise,” she says, wiping her cheeks.
“Happy tears because I picked out the best cake there is. Right, Halle baby?—”
“Swear to God, Con. Stop.” Asher smacks the back of his head.
“You know he does it to get a rise out of you,” I say, leaning in closer.
“Yeah, I know.” He sighs. “But I can’t help it. What would you do if he called Madi baby every time?”
Something sharp and territorial flares in my chest. The muscles in my jaw tick.I’d lose my damn mind.I already struggle with every guy glancing her way.
“My queen and I tasted all the cakes, and this is the one we settled on, right, Madi?” Connor continues, grinning atmygirl.
“Yourwhat?” I blurt, narrowing my eyes at him.
