Chapter 19
LUCY
There’s a knock on my door the next day right as I’m cleaning up after dinner and I stare at it from across the room like it’s offended me. Why is it that as a kid I used to love when my doorbell rang, but now when it happens, I freeze in place, like if I don’t move, they won’t know I’m home?
“Lucy? I’m home!” Bella’s voice rings out, doing her best impression of Desi from I Love Lucy.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” I ask, swinging open the door. I’m stunned to find Mike standing behind her. I tuck my hair behind my ear, thankful that at least this time I was lucky enough to look halfway decent and not like a troll that just crawled out from under a bridge.
“Hey, Lucky. You look gorgeous.” His blue eyes drag over me, igniting fires in places no one else has ever touched, and I shiver at the hungry look in them.
Bella clutches her heart. “Oh my God, he calls you Lucky! I love that. Wait till the girls hear.”
Her excitement pulls me out of the trance Mike’s attention has over me, and I take a step back, inviting them in.
“Not that I’m not thrilled you’re here, but did I forget to put something on my calendar?” I feel like I’ve been forgetting a lot lately, super distracted by the hot firefighter in my kitchen.
“I just left Delilah’s, and I made you some special cookies.” Bella says, flashing me a huge grin.
Mike lifts an eyebrow. “Are these like the magic brownie type of cookies?”
Bella laughs. “Nope, just normal ingredients. It’s the design that makes them special.
” She places the container on the counter.
“We’ve been baking all day to make treats for the St. Patrick’s Day program at school, but these are just for you.
” She pops open the lid and pushes the container toward me.
“Thanks, but I’m not really hungry,” I say.
“I’ll take one,” Mike says, reaching into the container and pulling out a cookie.
I quirk a brow at Bella. “You made those for the school? For the children?”
“Is this what I think it is?” Mike asks, moving his face closer so he can inspect the cookie.
“It is!” Bella laughs. “Since we couldn’t make cockies for Christmas this year, Delilah and I decided to make some for St. Patrick’s Day. These are just for the moms. I already dropped off Summer’s and Raven’s. I promise I made appropriate ones for the school.”
I shoot her a dubious look.
“I did! It’s Delilah you have to watch out for. Our principal may look all innocent, but she’s a crafty one.” She takes the cookie from Mike, waving it around as she speaks, using it to punctuate her point. “But isn’t it pretty?”
She holds up the penis-shaped cookie, cupping it in her hand like she’s showing off a prize on a game show. The testicles are decorated into two pots of gold, and she’s turned the shaft into a rainbow that disappears into the cloud-shaped head of the penis.
“That’s actually hella creative,” I say, marveling at her creation.
“Thanks. The cloud was Delilah’s idea.”
“Do I want to know why you turned a penis into a rainbow?” Mike asks.
Bella smiles proudly. “Several years ago, my kid grabbed the wrong cookie cutters, and a new holiday tradition was born.”
The clatter of footsteps approaches as Levi runs down the stairs and barrels into the kitchen. “I want a cookie!”
Before any of us can react, Mike snatches the cookie out of Bella’s hand and takes a huge bite of the rainbow.
“Sorry, lad,” he says around a mouthful of peen cookie.
“I couldn’t help myself, I had to taste it.
But you can have the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
” He holds the rest of the cookie out to Levi, who snatches it and finishes it in three bites before he runs out of the kitchen, a trail of cookie crumbs following him.
“Brush your teeth again!” I call after him as he climbs the stairs.
I can’t contain my laughter once Levi has left the kitchen. “Did you just deep-throat a cock cookie to protect my child’s innocence?”
“I didn’t want him to see it and have to explain why the rainbow looked like a penis.”
“Ooh, he’s a keeper,” Bella says, biting the tip off another cookie. She pulls out her phone and starts typing furiously.
“Who are you texting?” My phone vibrates on the counter, and I shake my head in defeat.
“What am I missing?” Mike asks, looking between us.
Bella smiles. “Oh nothing, the girls just owe me some money.”
I want to be annoyed about their stupid bet, but we did the same thing to her, and for once I don’t care as I lean against Mike’s bicep. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close as he kisses my forehead.
Bella puts the lid back on the container, and I stop her, deciding to try one after all.
As I bring the cookie to my mouth, I can feel Mike’s eyes on me.
He holds his hands up in defense. “You can’t put something that shape in your mouth and not expect me to watch.”
I smirk and take a big bite off the pot of gold, and he winces in response, covering his balls with his hands.
“I’m loving this side of you,” Bella says around a mouthful of cookie.
Both of our heads turn in her direction.
“You totally just forgot I was standing here, didn’t you?”
Shit, I did.
“This playful side really suits you. And I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy since…” She takes another bite of her cookie, intentionally drawing out her words. “Well… in a while. Ever, maybe.”
“Is everything all set for the program?” I ask, shoving the rest of the cookie in my mouth.
Bella shrugs. “Fuck if I know. I have nothing to do with this one, I’m just doing what Amber tells me to do. I got my fill of being in charge after running Santa’s Workshop, and we all know how that ended.”
I groan. “I thought you’d have some inside scoop. Amber better not call another emergency PTO meeting like she did before the Valentine’s party debacle. That three-hour one the other night was bad enough, and I still have a papercut from yesterday,” I say, holding up my ring finger.
Mike grabs my hand and kisses the cut, his lips hovering over my finger as he holds it and looks at me. “Sorry. The boys keep saying that I should kiss your boo-boos, and this is one I can actually kiss.”
A small squeal erupts from Bella, and I turn to her. She holds her hands up in silent apology.
“MO-OM!” Micah yells from upstairs.
“What?” I call back.
“Levi said Mike was here and I want him to tuck us in tonight.”
When I look up at him, he’s beaming, his smile stretching ear to ear. “Can I?”
“Go ahead.” I nod as he kisses my forehead and takes off for the stairs. “But try to keep it to only one fart blessing this time, please.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he calls back.
“Ma’am?” Bella questions, looking at me with furrowed brows. “Oh my God, he checked another item off your list, didn't he? And based on the color of your cheeks, and the way he said ‘ma’am,’ I’m guessing it was role-play or spankings?”
I nod in confirmation as she jumps and claps her hands excitedly. “Oh my gosh, I love this for you. You’re glowing! Spill.”
“It was…” I trail off, suddenly nervous to share more.
Normally I’d tell her everything, but something tugs at my heart, telling me to stop.
What is happening right now? What does this mean?
I’ve already told Bella about a few items we’ve checked off the list. So why does it feel like I’m breaking his trust if I talk about this now?
After what feels like minutes of silence while my thoughts spiral, I look up at Bella and she has a dopey grin on her face.
“Say no more. I know what that face is.”
“What face?” How does she know what I’m feeling when I haven’t even figured it out myself?
“Remember when you kept asking me what was going on with me and Hardy, and I kept deflecting?”
My mind races, struggling to put together the puzzle pieces she’s dropping. “But we’re just friends. This is just—” Just what? I don’t even know what this is anymore, but it definitely feels like more than just hooking up.
“Are you sure about that?” She smiles, walking around the counter, placing a hand on my arm.
“You don’t want to tell me about knocking boots with Mr. March, because his feelings matter to you now.
You’re worried about how he’d feel if he knew you talked about it.
It’s not just a hookup. And judging by the look on your face, you’re just now realizing that.
Shit, sorry. Why am I such an awkward turtle with this stuff? ”
I pull her into a hug, catching her off guard. “Thank you.”
She pats my back stiffly. “You’re welcome? What are you thanking me for?”
“For being you. I’m not good at all this emotional stuff. But you are. And you blurt every thought in your head, and it’s fantastic.”
“Even the inappropriate ones?” She laughs against me.
“Especially those. That’s who you are. And I love that about you.
” I release her and hold her shoulders as I look in her eyes.
“And if you share what I’m about to say with the girls, I will deny it.
But I think I needed you to be the one to push me—or that you’d be the only one who’d actually force me to admit what I’ve been thinking for weeks. ”
“That I’m your favorite? Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” She winks, and I laugh, thankful for her ability to bring levity to any situation.
“That, and that I might be falling for Mike.”
“Good, because that man is so gone for you and your little boys.”
I blink at her as my mouth drops slightly in shock. “What? When? How?”
“Who? Where? Why?” She laughs. “Sorry, were we not naming all the W questions?”
I teasingly smack her arm, but I can’t stifle the giggle at her antics.
“As I was saying, that man is gone for you. He’s always looked at you with such longing. And he brings you up all the time to Hardy.”
“Oh God, does Hardy know about the list?” My gut twists at the possibility.