AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wren laughs. “It’s not that difficult once you get the hang of it. And yes, the recipe is secret-ish, but I can let you in on it as long as you swear to secrecy.”
“For this, I’ll do whatever you want.” I take another bite and close my eyes, savoring how good it is. “Is it just chocolate cake or something fancier? I mean, obviously, there’s chocolate in it, but like… Wow.”
“It’s Better Than Sex Cake.” Wren grins as she pulls out her phone and types away. “Just sent the recipe to you.”
“I’m sorry, what now? I don’t think so. I mean, maybe better than sex with East, but no way is any cake better than good sex,” Madison argues as I grab the recipe Wren just sent and save it to my recipe folder, along with a note that says, “Learn to make A.S.A.P.”
“First of all, I feel the need to defend your brother here, and I don’t think you’ll want the details.” Wren eyes her sister-in-law.
“Ugh. No, definitely not. Please, spare me. Pretend I said nothing.”
“And technically, it’s not better, but it’s damn close. Also… it was sex with East that kind of inspired it.”
Madison makes a disgusted face and pushes the plate with her piece away from her on the coffee table while Wren and I both laugh.
“Cake inspired by sex. I like it,” I say flippantly, grinning as I take another bite and see Madison cringe again.
“How’s the dating app been treating you?” Wren gives me a thoughtful look.
“Meh. I’ve barely looked at the one I downloaded. Not many prospects. Hard to be interested in anyone, honestly.” I shrug.
“Are you still missing him?” Madison asks.
“Missing Rob? No. It’s been what… nearly a year? I’m over him. But sometimes, I miss being in a relationship. Not all the work… But the good parts, you know? Having someone to grab dinner with. Watching a movie before bed. Sex you don’t have to get all dressed up and go to a bar for.” I laugh at the last bit, but Madison and Wren still look worried for me.
“But no dates or hookups have interested you?” Madison gives me a sympathetic look.
“It’s been hard since I’ve been traveling so much. You know that. You’ve been putting work first too. I haven’t really been able to think about it, and when I do, it’s an afterthought. Dating is a hard no for me right now anyway.”
“Why’s that?” Wren takes a sip of her mocktail as she leans back.
“I have no idea what I’m doing with my life. If our business idea to start a PR retreat for athletes will work.” I look to Madison. “If it does work, I’m not sure where I’ll be living since we’ve had trouble finding an affordable place. There’s no sense getting attached to someone new just to say goodbye in a few months when I need to move.”
“Okay, well, we’re definitely going to be a success, so erase any other thought from your mind. But I understand what you mean about not knowing where we’ll live. It’s why I’m still in their cottage.” Madison nods to Wren and then grins at her. “Thanks, by the way, for continuing to tolerate me squatting in your guest house.”
“It has been a great source of entertainment so far, what with the deliveries and listening to you and East bicker.” Wren laughs.
“I wish there was room for another bed, Bea. I’d move you in with me at least.” Madison rolls her lower lip into a pout.
“You could always stay in our guest room?” Wren offers.
“No, I couldn’t do that to you all.” I shake my head.
Wren is already pregnant, opening a new restaurant, and has Madison living in the guest cottage, which she and East built when they first bought the place and were doing massive renovations. I don’t want to be another thing on her list of upkeep and to-dos, especially since our friendship mostly exists on the back of Madison’s and my friendship right now. I love her and want to keep her forever, and part of that means not wearing on her last nerve now that we get to spend some time together.
“Well, if you change your mind, you know where you can come,” Wren adds.
“I appreciate it.”
“Okay. Back to the drought. You can’t date, but you can fuck, right? I mean, is that against your rules? I know you were raised a little fancier than the rest of us, but then Xander is your brother,” Wren muses.
I laugh hard at that. My brother, Xander, was probably the most notorious playboy in the league before my future sister-in-law nailed him down. I have their engagement party to host in Seattle in a few weeks, and there’s a whole lot of prep work I need to be doing to get ready for it. It’s yet another thing on the list that keeps me from browsing singles apps or hitting bars on what would otherwise be free nights. Not that I’m necessarily complaining because I love being able to help Xander and Harper.
“It’s not against the rules per se, but I think I’m bad at it. Like, I don’t even know what apps are good options these days or how to find time for it. The last time I dated before Rob was years ago. I don’t know that I’m prepared for all of that. And what are people even doing for dates now?”
“You’re overthinking this too much. We can find the right apps and things for you to try based on what you want. Are you just looking for the occasional hookup to keep you out of a drought, or are you looking to work your way down your adventure list? How wild are we getting with this? Let’s start there.” Madison gives me a curious look before she takes another sip of her drink. I’ve walked right into this because she always has a plan for any problem.
“My adventure list?” I raise my brows.
