He casually shrugs. “Just asking.”
I groan. “No. I haven’t told her. The MC was a long time ago and that part of my life is behind me. Besides, it doesn’t matter if she knows anyhow.”
“Right, because there’s nothing going on between you two.”
“Exactly.”
The motorcycle clubwasa long time ago. I got out. Left. Period. End of story.
Sora spins, then looks up with a growing smile. Her first-place ribbon secured tightly in her delicate fingers. I am so fucking proud of her.
My dick twitches, my heart flutters, and all I can do is grin back.
“Right. Nothing going on.” Crew throws his head back in laughter.
I watch his smug expression line his bastard face. “Fuck you,” I say.
A deeper laugh explodes from him, and I smirk with a shake of my head.
Sora sends another quick glance up to me while Lana throws Crew the finger.
This time, it’s my turn to laugh. “What’s that about?”
Crew’s cocky smirk disappears. “We share a mutual hate.” He chugs the rest of his beer before getting up from the chair. “Want another?”
“No. I’m good.”
A mutual hate. Now that I can believe.
Thirty-One
The dampened grass seeps through my dress and lines my skin when me and Lana fall over laughing. It’s after midnight and the tiredness mixed with the Champagne suddenly hits me. So much for not using alcohol as a bandage. But I don’t want this night to be over.
“I feel dumb.” I pick at the grass, tossing it playfully as far as the pieces can fly.
Lana looks at me, brow arched. “Why do you feel dumb?”
“It’s ridiculous. I’m celebrating winning a town baking contest. How lame is that?” I throw a piece of grass landing on my leg.
“Let me ask you something… is baking important to you?”
“Of course it is, you know that.”
“And winning the contest was important to you?”
“Well yeah. But I suppose it wasn’t just about placing first. I think for once, it was the fact I really had something for myself. Something that is mine.”
“Then it’s not dumb. Not if it matters to you.”
I smile, looking up at the stars. “Thanks, Lana.”
“You’re welcome.” She nudges me. “Hey, why do you look sad right now?”
Thinking about everything gets me in a bind. No matter what, no matter how much fun I’m having, Jason always floats in my mind.
“I don’t want to leave.” I turn to my best friend, who’s watching me intently. “I like it here. I enjoy living in this town. I love working at the café. Most of all, I like being here with youlike we’re young again. It’s a safe feeling and the thought of ever leaving scares the shit out of me.”
Lana flashes me with a sorrowful smile. “You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to, Sora. Stay. Fuck your husband. I know you’ll figure everything out at the right moment. But for now, enjoy yourself—enjoy not having to answer to anyone. That’s how it’s supposed to be.Thisis how it’s supposed to be.”
