We sit at the table as Noah passes out cards. “So, how’s the bakery coming along?”
I catch Aiden’ eye, and I don’t know why but I can’t stop thinking about him at my house. The way he took care of me. He was... sweet. Well, as sweet as Aiden can be, I guess.
I’m reading into shit, that’s all.
“I enjoyed the break at first, but now I’m anxious to get the customers in again.” Before I closed, I talked to Mrs. Ramirez and gave her some things she could freeze then thaw when she visits her granddaughter. “I figured out what I’ll do for the Valentine’s?—”
“ValenSlay,” Noah corrects, looking at his cards.
“Right, ValenSlay event. I’m going to do truffles—a bunch of different flavors—then some other desserts for the case and maybe samples for the tables.
“That sounds incredible! Don’t worry about anything else, we all have you covered,” Noah says. “Brianna’s working on the aprons, and the fabric she found is so cute. I have fifty people interested online.”
“Wait, really? How?”
“I did an invite on your BlueVibe page. We might need to print tickets to hand out at the door, that way we won’t accidentally overfill the bakery.” I doubt that would happen, but I see his point.
“That’s amazing. Thank you.”
“So, Aiden, you and Cam know each other?” Bo asks.
“Yeah. We’re besties.” Cam grins.
“We’re not besties,” Aiden mutters.
“I thought I was your bestie.” Jamie glares at Cam.
“You are, bro. No one can replace you.” Cam looks at his cards. “Though if you and Aiden would like to fight for my love, I wouldn’t say no.”
I laugh then notice Hunter’s eyes on me. “What?” He’s been sliding looks my way since we stepped into his house.
“Nothing.” He goes back to his cards.
Looking around the table, I watch my friends. They all have terrible poker faces, but when I look at Aiden, I can’t read him at all. He always looks bored or slightly annoyed. It should not be as hot as it is.
I guess he didn’t look bored or annoyed the other day in my kitchen...
“Noah, stop looking at my cards.” Jamie pulls his hand away.
“I’m not! I’m looking at your penis.”
Mark folds and we put our cards down. “Yes!” Noah cheers.
Cam gets up, winking at Bo.
“Can you not?” His boyfriend shakes his head as Cam slowly takes his shirt off. “Unbelievable.”
Cam pops his pecs, showing off. “You know, I thought my boyfriend would be more impressed with my body.”
“Cam.” Bo pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’ve known you through every awkward stage you’ve had. I’m immune to your muscles.”
Cam glares then leans down toward Jamie. “Not what he says when we’re alone and I’m pinning him to a wall.”
Jamie sighs. “Can we keep playing so this nightmare will end?”
With the heat off me, we play a few rounds. Aiden loses his shirt...Hello. Jamie’s in his boxers, I take my socks and jeans off, Mark is almost winning again—I literally don’t know how he does it—and Noah, well... Noah is in his T-shirt.
And that’s it.
