head over to sit in the armchair beside the couch.
“You are never this chipper in the mornings,” Kins says, grinning widely as she snuggles back into Atticus’s side. His arm is curled around her shoulders, a mug clutched in his free hand, and he’s looking at her like she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
I glance down to sip my coffee and—
Shitballs...
I didn’t put any pants on over my undies… I yank the throw from the arm of the couch and tug it over my bare legs. But Atticus only has eyes for Kins; he doesn’t even notice my move to cover my half-naked ass. And that just makes me all kinds of happy for my friend.
He’s good for her. I’ve never seen Kinsley so comfortable in her own skin. It warms my heart and reinforces my belief in the power of love.
I sigh happily as I relax back into the armchair then sip my coffee. Whatever this thing with Sebastian and me is, for now, I’m content to just let it play out. What will be will be.
Before we hung up last night, I convinced Emory to meet me at The Brew Guru for brunch, seeing as she’s opposed to leaving the house before ten a.m.
I’m sitting at my usual table, watching the door for her arrival, when Mel steps into my line of sight. I lift my gaze to her face, taking note for the first time of just how much make-up she wears. It’s not something I even thought about prior to Emory.
Mel places a steaming mug on my table and smiles at me.
I frown. First at the coffee, then at her. “I haven’t ordered yet,” I say.
She shrugs her shoulders then places her hand on my forearm resting on the table. “I know what you like, Sebastian.”
Glancing at my arm where she’s touching me, I furrow my brows even further than they already were. This is ridiculous. I wrap my fingers around her wrist and remove her hand. “Listen, Mel—”
“Is there a reason you’re touching my boyfriend?” Emory’s stern voice comes from behind Mel, making her startle back a step.
Emory walks around a gaping Mel to my side then drops a kiss on my cheek, causing a massive smile to spread across my face. “As I was saying, Mel, thank you for the coffee, but I’m seeing someone.”
Mel’s jaw ticks as she eyes Emory in her black yoga pants and tee proclaiming her to be in a complicated relationship with a fictional character. “This,” Mel says, pointing at Emory, “is your girlfriend?”
The way she says those words and the condescending look in her eyes pisses me the hell off.
But Emory speaks before I can. “Pretty sure that’s what the insanely awesome orgasm he gave me last night means,” she says with a bright smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d love a vanilla latte. Mmkay, thanks!”
Mel storms off, and I’m left speechless.
My gaze is still glued to Emory as she takes the seat across from me then props her elbow on the table and rests her chin in her palm. “And here I was worried this morning would be awkward,” she finally says.
“Umm,” is all I can muster.
Her eyes sparkle, and a grin tugs at her lips. “My jealous-girlfriend acting skills are on point, right?”
I blink dumbly then nod. “Yep. Had me fooled.”
She shrugs. “I’ve been watching a lot of Days of Our Lives. I think it really helps me channel my inner soapy star.”
“Oh yeah, you really nailed it,” I praise.
She chuckles. “Thank you, thank you, you’re far too kind.”
And just like that, any weirdness there might have been between us, after our phone sexcapade last night, is gone.
The wedding is ten days away, and I haven’t seen Emory in person since we met for coffee last week. It’s time to change that, so I shoot her a text.
SEBASTIAN: Hey, you free today?
EMORY: Umm, yeah, I guess.
My brows furrow. What does that mean?
SEBASTIAN: So, you’re free or you’re not?
EMORY: I can be. Depends what you have in mind.
SEBASTIAN: Shopping…
EMORY: You have my attention.
I grin. Bitches love shopping.
“What’s that face about?” Storm asks, a brow arched in my direction as she fills her to-go mug with coffee.
“Careful. You’re about to spill,” I say, making her snap her focus back to her hands.
“Shit,” she mutters as hot liquid laps at the lip of her cup.
I shake my head at her then scoop Hazel from around Storm’s legs up into my arms. “Careful, baby. Momma’s got a