Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Drea
I was fifty-six days into my sexual shutdown, and I was starting to lose it. Why on earth did I compliment Blair Sterling of all people? That color looks good on you? What was that? I must really be on something if I’m starting to find her attractive.
Still, I couldn’t get that first meeting out of my head. Of course it didn’t start off great; they never do.
But the way she looked, the past year had been very kind to her. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I wanted to take her on my desk and use my double-sided dildo while ripping that sweater dress wide open.
Which was ridiculous, because I had absolutely no feelings for Blair. But the way that dress hugged her ass, I could pretend to like her, just a little.
I could pretend to like the way her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip when she was anxious, or the way she looked like she owned every room she walked into wearing those infuriating fuck-me black heels. God, I’m really losing it!
I rubbed my face and fought the urge to lock my door and do something about my desperate need to fuck something, anything.
Then, as if the universe had read my thoughts, my dad called, immediately extinguishing the roaring fire building between my thighs.
“Hello, Father,” I answered with a peppy voice.
“Hello, darling. How are you? How’s Skylar?” I sighed, forgetting that I still hadn’t told my parents about the breakup, even though it had been two years. I was over it by now, but it had just never come up.
“I’m fine. Skylar and I broke up a while ago. She moved to New York.”
I could finally talk about it without spiraling into a drinking and fucking frenzy. Banning sex was one of the hardest challenges I’d ever had to endure. I had to admit, it had been keeping my mind clear and sharp, for the most part. I could still drink, though, and thank fuck for that.
“Oh, I do apologize. But I know you aren’t broken up about it, are you? You were never the settling down type, not like your sisters.”
I groaned. My sisters were the epitome of the all American dream. They were only a few years younger than me, but they had always wanted marriage, with kids and white-picket fences.
They were too young to understand what was happening when our parents divorced.
I wasn’t as fortunate. I had just started high school when my parents sat me down and told me the news of my father’s adultery.
After so many years of marriage and four kids, even my parents couldn’t commit to each other. What chance did I have?
“How are you, Father?” I needed to turn the topic somewhere else.
“I’m splendid, dear. I just saw your sisters, and now I’m headed to Brighton for a few weeks to visit family.”
My father had been in the military, and we’d moved out of England when I was ten. He got stationed in Portland until he retired, and had been there ever since. I’d been wanting to go and visit him, but with the bookstore, and dealing with Skylar leaving, I just didn’t have the time to take off.
“That’s good. Well, I have to run. I’m meeting Fallon for her cake tasting in a few minutes.” We were meeting at our favorite bakery, Sugarleaf, which was only a short drive from the bookstore.
“Okay, dear. Please be safe, and come visit soon. I miss you.”
I smiled into my phone. I really did need to plan a visit to see him soon. “I will. Love you, Dad.”
After my phone call, I was looking forward to taking my mind off things and spending time with my best friend.
I waved at Kaia as I headed out the door and down the street. It was a gorgeous day, so I thought the walk would be good for me and would clear my head.
Mackenzie was right, it was going to be a full house just to eat cake. When I got there, Fallon and Mackenzie were already sitting with Penelope, and Harper, Mackenzie’s sister. Mackenzie’s two best friends were arriving any minute as well.
“You made it!” Fallon shouted from inside the bakery. They were already sitting at a table, each with a glass of wine.
“Of course I did, babe!” I grabbed her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Good to see you again, Harper. Mackenzie, always a pleasure.” I took my seat across from the happy couple.
After a few minutes, Rylee and Roxxy arrived and sat down, joining the various conversations. I couldn’t help but feel warmth in my chest at the scene. My best friend found her forever home in Mackenzie, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
After the shittiest two years of her life with her ex in Portland, she deserved to find happiness.
Even two years later, the way Mackenzie looked at Fallon made me smile.
She proved time and time again that she would do anything for this woman, even when they weren’t together, and the love they had for each other had only grown.
After a while, the owner came out to greet us and he asked questions about what they were looking for, what size cake they wanted, and how they’d met.
The owner was a hopeless romantic and loved to hear about a happy ending. His wife overheard the story from the kitchen and giggled. When caught, she blushed and rushed out to refill everyone’s wine glasses. That story still makes me laugh to this day.
Fallon still had a ways to go before she could laugh about it, apparently, because when I snorted, she kicked me under the table.
“What? I’m sorry, love, but it's still funny! You were so drunk and so pissed off, and yet you couldn’t stop talking about her.”
Her face turned the slightest shade of pink, and Mackenzie pulled her in closer. “I guess I made quite an impression.” She grinned.
I laughed about it for a little longer until the owner came back with our first samples.
We started with the classic vanilla, but Fallon requested they add raspberry filling and top it with vanilla buttercream.
Harper wasn’t a fan, so Fallon immediately said no to that one. Up next, Mackenzie wanted to try the lemon cake with blueberry and cream cheese frosting. Roxxy wasn’t too keen on that one, so Mackenzie declined that choice as well.
We also tried a carrot cake and a champagne cake with strawberry filling and whipped vanilla frosting—which was my personal favorite.
As I was savoring my last bite of the champagne cake, I noticed Mackenzie looking at me with concern in her eyes.
“So, how’s it going with Blair?” Mackenzie asked. My body tensed at the mention of her name. I couldn’t go one day without someone talking about her. “Any sparks flying?” She winked.
I glared at her. “It’s going and nothing is flying, I can’t stand the woman. You already know this.”
“Right, I’ve heard about your little rivalry, and it sounds like these two at the beginning. Give it some time and we’ll all be here again in a few years.” Mackenzie’s sister, Harper grinned.
Mackenzie had told me about Harper prying to get information. I bet she and Fallon had become really close.
I laughed. “That is definitely not going to happen. She is not my type, and I hate her!” I sounded like a preschooler, but it was true.
“I think we can all agree that Blair is hot!” Fallon said, earning an arched brow from her fiancée. “Obviously not as hot as you, baby.” She smiled and kissed Mackenzie, and my heart warmed.
“I hadn’t really noticed,” I lied. The first thing I noticed about Blair was her captivating hazel eyes, but they were a distant memory as soon as she opened her mouth.
“I agree. I may be straight, but even I can’t deny she is gorgeous,” Penelope added.
For no reason at all, my jaw ticked at my friend’s words. “Can we talk about literally anything else, please?!”
Five heads snapped to me, and I cleared my throat. “What’s our next flavor?” I was begging for this conversation to be over.
No one mentioned my little outburst, and for that I was grateful.