Chapter 38
BAILEY
Arriving at the library to a group of eager-looking females standing in the lobby was not what I expected, but I’m also not shocked.
Ivy, Stacy, Audrey, Leona, and Roxy are looking at me expectantly.
“Um, good morning,” I greet. “What are you all doing here so bright and early?”
“We’re here to start a new book club with you,” Ivy announces. “It’s called the We Must Chat book club. And for our first meeting, we must chat about your very first date.” She flashes a big smile.
“What does that have to do with books?” I ask.
“I have no idea,” Ivy admits with a sheepish grin.
“Your sister’s not here,” I note. “Is she on her way?”
“Well, it was her brainchild, actually, and she was supposed to pick me up, but she’s busy barfing, so I’ll be filling her in.
She wants you to know, though, that she reserves the right to phone you if she requires clarification.
Or… if any of the rest of us miss any important questions she reserves the right to request a repeat in-person meeting.
” Ivy flashes an even bigger smile and adds, “Erica would be here, but she’s doing a family breakfast in town with her great aunt.
So, we’ll brief her later, too. And Jase’s sisters, the nice ones, they want a report but they’ve asked for a PG-rated version. ”
“There’s no other version of last night,” I inform.
All their expressions drop.
“I’m not looking to join a book club,” Roxy announces. “I’m just here to find out how last night went. So, we’ll call me a non-reading member who participates occasionally, depending on the discussion topic.”
“Guys,” I mutter, pressing my fingertips to my temples.
“Nuh uh. Nope!” Leona denounces. “Not okay. You’re always in the thick of everything, because you need to know, right?
Well, so do we. So. Do. We! Ivy and Stacy are newcomers, but if they’re this invested in the Jase and Bailey love story, imagine how the rest of us feel!
You can’t hold out on us, girlfriend. Spill! ”
“Yikes!” I say.
“Well, I’ve watched this show for what? Twelve or thirteen seasons? And the latest season has been the most exciting.”
“Clearly,” I mutter, “Since you’re hosting watch parties on your front lawn.”
“Well… I’m not about to let you leave me on a cliffhanger for any longer than necessary.”
“Besides…” Stacy speaks up, “Since your group chat book club friends are being less than supportive, you need a new book club. A non-virtual one and this one includes treats. And a little bird told me you got a whole lot of new books. Didn’t you?” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“How is this news spreading already?” I ask.
Stacy answers. “Grey and Jase swapped vehicles this morning for some repairs Grey’s gone to make on one of their rental units.
Jase told him to use the bed of the pickup only, not the backseat because you guys filled it with books last night on your date.
The way Grey told me, Jase was very protective over your new books not getting dirty or bent. Care to explain?”
“Yes, explain!” Ivy chimes in, loudly.
“Wow, Ivy. Aggressive much?” I quip.
She glares at me with her pretty violet eyes.
“We’re invested. All of us. We saw the emotion all over you.
The way you looked at him when I first got here?
The love that oozed from you? We all saw it.
I hoped he’d pick you. And then he did and you were so, so crushed.
It was hard to watch all that hope turn to that much hurt.
We all wanted to be mad at him forever. But we’ve seen him suffer. And everyone loves Jase.”
“How could you not?” Audrey adds.
Ivy nods. “He’s a lovable guy. He messed up when it came to you. Big time. And I’m on your side, always have been, but I really hope you two work it out, as does my sister. You’ve been there for us both in a big way, including when I was at my very lowest. Love you, girlfriend!”
“You’ve been here for me, too,” Stacy adds. “And I know Erica would say the very same thing.”
“I’m not going to cry. Nope. Not going to do it!” I fan my eyes with both hands.
“You’re always there for everyone, Bail,” Roxy says. “Nobody deserves a happy ending with an awesome super alpha more than you do.”
“Hey now,” Ivy jokes. “Me and Stacy might disagree there. So would Amelia and Erica.”
“You two deserve your guys. For sure.”
“And Erica and Amie,” Ivy adds, giving Roxy a weird look.
“I was talking about legacy Arcana Falls girls. But of course,” Roxy says.
But nobody misses that there’s something uncomfortable suddenly in the air.
Roxy quickly adds, “All of you are with who you’re supposed to be with. And so are you.” She looks at me.
I know Rox portrays herself as a no nonsense, don’t-need-a-man independent type, but I didn’t miss the way she used to stare at Mason whenever he came into the bar. The minute he’d walk in, her head would turn. After I noticed it, I watched for it and it happened every single time.
I don’t think she crushed as hard on Mason as I did on Jase, definitely not as obviously because she’s too cool for that and I’m not remotely cool, but maybe she was more into him than anyone knew. I’m suddenly relieved I don’t have to watch Jase with someone else.
But I still can’t fathom a world where that happily-ever-after actually happens for me.
“First things first. How are you?” Stacy asks.
“I’m still an emotional mess,” I answer honestly, “but come on in and we’ll have our We Must Chat book club meeting.” I’ve drawn air quotes. “What treats did you bring?” I eyeball the tote bag Stacy is holding, smelling something delicious.
“Whoopie pies!”
“Whoopie!” Ivy exclaims.
I say, “I’ll get the coffee on. You guys go on and sit in the conference room.”
“I already made coffee for us and a pot of gingerbread herbal tea is brewing for the pregnant ladies,” Audrey says. “And I brought your favorite muffins, Bailey, but I’m beginning to think that’s not necessary with Stacy around.”
“The more treats the merrier,” Stacy says with a shrug.
“No more suspense. Let’s go, people!” Ivy claps her hands.
Ivy’s pretty mild-mannered, usually. Is being pregnant with a super-alpha’s baby injecting bossiness into her bloodstream?
***
“You’re all gonna see it soon enough, I guess. He… um… tattooed my name here.” I touch the spot on my own neck and as soon as I do, I hear a high-pitched yelp that’s so loud I startle.
Their reactions have me wondering if they’re reacting to the news of the tattoo or if they heard that yelp too.
“Did you hear that?” I ask.
“Um, I think we all did,” Ivy says. “That’s a pretty prominent place for a tattoo.”
“It could be marked up though when you get your chompers there,” Leona quips, peeling the muffin liner from her treat.
“Not that I have the kinds of chompers you guys have,” I say as I take a bite of one of the chocolate raspberry whoopie pies Stacy brought and yum! “Man, can you bake,” I mutter. This is the fluffiest, best raspberry frosting I’ve ever had.
She beams a big smile.
“I have to drive to The Hollow for those muffins,” Audrey tells Stacy, pointing to the box. “You could re-create these, couldn’t you? They’re Bailey’s favorite.”
Stacy plucks one up and tastes it, looking like she’s searching her palate to pinpoint all the ingredients. She washes it down with a sip of tea and declares, “Absolutely. In fact, I think I could make them even better.”
“Don’t feel bad about the lack of wolf teeth, Bailey,” Ivy says. “I don’t have them either, but I like to think I make up for it in enthusiasm.”
“Ooh, I’ll have to watch for love bites on Tyson next time I see him,” Audrey jokes from beside her.
Ivy’s expression goes serious. “Your eyes don’t need to be on him any longer than necessary, thank you very much.”
Aud laughs, but dramatically rolls her chair away.
“I’m teasing,” Ivy says, reaching for the arm of the office chair and rolling Aud back where she was. “But seriously, though. No excessive gawking at my husband.”
“Sorry to break it to you, sister,” Roxy points out. “But you’ve gotta know that your mate has the kind of presence that females can’t help but notice.”
Ivy smiles and sighs. “Yeah. He’s pretty dreamy.”
“I don’t think dreamy is the descriptor I’d use. More…potently raw male sexuality, but okay.” Rox shrugs.
Ivy smiles big. “Yeah, that, too. I’m taking this one for Amelia, by the way. Not being a piggie.” She takes the last bite of her whoopie pie and, reaching for another one asks, “Do you take orders, Stace?”
“Take another one for yourself for later, too. And for Tyson. But uh… right now?” Stacy tips her head from side to side. “I mean, if you want anything now, sure, but my calendar is about to be pretty full, so get your order in fast, maybe?”
“She’s gonna start baking for the bar,” Roxy declares. “How about if you all get Stacy’s Tasty Treats there?”
“And for Erica’s garden center market café once it opens,” Stacy adds. “But if you want something, don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll see what I can swing.”
“Or… just spend your money at my place,” Roxy shrugs.
We all laugh.
“Point taken. I’ll start there,” Ivy says, “Support Roxy’s restaurant without giving Stacy extra work.”
“Win-win,” Roxy agrees.
“That’s a lot of work for someone growing two babies who might also get hit with double morning sickness,” I remind my sister-in-law.
“Uh huh,” Stacy answers, “But I’ve set expectations accordingly. Not to worry.”
“She can bake when she wants. No sweat,” Roxy waves.
“I can hardly wait to meet my nephews,” I tell her. “As well as all the babies on the way.”
“Weird, though, how it could go,” Ivy muses.
“Meaning?” I ask.
“Things could change,” she says with a shrug, biting into the whoopie pie she was saving for Amie.
“What do you mean?” Leona asks.