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Annie bit back a laugh. “Oooo, I forgot. Edie’s band of misfits. They are a hoot.”

“A hoot is one word for them,” Audrey said. “I think most of the town would call them menaces to society. Those poker games make our margarita nights look calm!”

Annie turned to me. “To answer your question about what town you came to, somewhere with a lot of fun and a lot of support. So you’re in for a treat.”

I smiled, looking between the two of them and feeling a knot in my chest loosen. That sounded perfect.

Chapter 43

Summer

One of the best things about living in Willow Grove was the freedom my pack gave me to explore any little hobbies or avenues I wanted to.

For instance, cookies had become my recent obsession.

It just felt like a very mom thing to do. When Milo was in school, I wanted him to be able to come home to some damn good chocolate chip cookies.

So, I had begun experimenting. The guys had been nothing but supportive of my culinary endeavors.

“What kind are these?” Tobias asked, passing the cooling rack, reaching out to take one.

“No!” I snapped, swatting at him with the spatula in my hand.

He paused, turning to me with a horrified look that quickly warped into a pout. “You usually let me take the cooling cookies.”

“These are special gluten-free ones. Stuart at the garage can’t eat the normal ones I give Marshall, so I thought I would try to make some with gluten-free flour.”

His face slowly warped into a smile as he came around the counter and kissed the top of my head. “You’re a good one, you know that?”

“Don’t you forget it.” I chuckled, nodding toward the counter. “You can take a few out of that Tupperware, though. I’m just taking those to Emmett later today.”

His face lit up. “Don’t mind if I do!” He chuckled, snatching a handful of cookies and rushing out the door.

“Where is he going so excitedly?” Marshall asked, scratching the back of his head.

“Work, but with cookies,” I explained.

“Makes sense.” He looked around the kitchen. “How long have you been baking for?”

I shrugged. “I was up early and wanted to try something.” As I spoke, I put down the spatula and padded over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “You’re working this afternoon, right?”

He nodded.

“Perfect. I made some gluten-free cookies for Stuart. Even used brand-new bowls and baking sheets to avoid contamination.”

“You made him cookies?”

I nodded. “It felt wrong leaving him out when everyone else at the garage has been getting them on a regular basis.”

Marshall looked at me intently for a moment, and I started to worry that I had done something wrong. Before I could fall too deep into my panic, he smiled at me warmly and kissed the top of my head, much like Tobias had just done.

“You’re so damn sweet,” he muttered.

I bit my lip. “Well, you can eat me any time.”

One suggestive look later, and I was being dragged upstairs for a little snack time.

Emmett was working late, and what was best for late nights? Cookies. Lots of cookies.