You’re already on your way.
She leans up to look at me. “Promise they will?”
I gently grip her chin in my hand and kiss her until we’re both out of breath. When we break apart, I look her straight in the eye, my heart pounding in my chest. “I promise.”
Chapter22
Becca
Iglance around the inside of Sweet Cheeks. Gage’s family are happily chatting while enjoying the ice cream bar I set up. I breathe a sigh of relief that the ten tables I set up ended up being enough seating.
Tori refills a few of the toppings before heading over to where I’m standing behind the counter.
“Thanks again for agreeing to help with this, especially on your day off,” I tell her.
She smiles. “It’s no problem. It’s been fun meeting Gage’s family and friends. They’re all so nice.”
She tells me that she and Maya exchanged Instagram handles and started following each other.
“She hates mint chocolate chip, just like me. How cool is that?”
I laugh.
“And Millie wants me to come to the next girls’ night she’s having,” Tori says.
Tyler walks by. I notice Tori eyeing him.
“Not a great idea, Tori. I like Tyler, but Gage told me he’s a commitment-phobic ladies’ man. You loathe guys like that.”
“Right. Hate that. Absolutely hate that,” she says, her eyes on Tyler the whole time. I elbow her, and she blinks. That dazed look melts from her face. “What? I’m just looking. There’s nothing wrong with looking at the menu as long as I don’t order from it, right?”
I roll my eyes. “That is a ridiculous metaphor.”
One of Gage’s aunts walks up to us. “I’m so sorry, girls. I accidentally spilled on one of the tables.”
“Oh, no worries at all!” Tori beams. “I’ll clean it up for you.” She grabs a washcloth and follows Gage’s aunt.
I walk over to Millie, who’s sitting at a table with her mom and Maya.
“How is everything?” I ask.
Her big brown eyes light up. “Amazing!” She pulls me down for a hug, the third time she’s hugged me since she arrived an hour ago. “The ice cream bar is my dream come true.” She points to her empty dish.
Her mom nods and gives me a thumbs-up. “So very yummy.”
I smile at her. “Thank you so much.”
“And you didn’t have to put up decorations,” Millie says. She glances at the clusters of pink and blue balloons hanging in the store. “I feel like I’ve imposed enough just having my shower at your shop at the last minute.”
I pat her hand. “It’s not an imposition at all. It’s my pleasure, truly. And I didn’t even put up the decorations. That was all Gage.”
I look over to where he’s standing at the far end of the shop, talking with his brother and cousins. He catches my eyes and smiles.
I go warm and tingly all over. I can’t look at Gage too long. Otherwise I’m sure his relatives will notice all the filthy thoughts playing out across my face. So I turn my attention back to Millie.
“I’m so happy you’re having a nice time,” I say to her.
“The best time.” She winces. “Must pee again.”
