Page 147 of Blush Crush

“It’s your brother,” Lina groans.

“My brother?” Ariana’s brows draw together. “Which one?”

“Shane.” Lina says through a clenched jaw.

That doesn’t surprise me one bit. Lina is an attractive young woman and Shane is a fucking dog. I can only imagine what he could’ve said or done to make her want to ban him from the shop.

“What did he do?” Ariana grumbles, rolling her eyes at me.

Lina places her hands on her hips. “He’s a shameless flirt and he’s already asked me out twice. Both times I’ve shot him down and he’s not fazed one bit.”

Ariana pinches the bridge of her nose. “Of course he has.”

“The second time,” Lina continues, her voice climbing slightly, “he told me playing hard to get was his love language.”

I stifle a laugh. To think he was judging me when he’s worse than I ever was.

“I will talk to him,” Ariana assures her.

“Okay but just so you know I told him the next time he asks me out I’m going to start charging him a nuisance fee on top of his order.”

Ariana laughs, shaking her head. “And he’s still out there?”

“Sitting at the counter,” Lina confirms. “Grinning like an idiot. He ordered a coffee and asked me what my favorite flower was.” She straightens her shoulders. “I told him ragweed.”

“I’ll go handle him. I’ll be out in a second.”

She disappears back into the shop and the door swings shut behind her.

The second we’re alone again, I kiss Ariana like I’m leaving for war—hitching her leg up so she can feel exactly how hard I am for her, invading her mouth with my tongue, running my hands all along her body. It’s going to be a long few days. I might not last halfway through the trip before I’m booking it back here.

When we finally break apart she’s smiling, cleaning up the lip gloss I smeared beyond the edges of her mouth. “Go.” She laughs. “Before we do something indecent back here.”

“Fine,” I grumble, with all the finesse of an overgrown man-child. “I’ll miss you, doll.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

I leave, biting down on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying I love you.

Maybe I’ll tell her when I get back. Maybe by then I’ll be brave enough to.

CHAPTER 43

Ariana

OPTIONS. CHOICES

Normally I love a girls’ night, but right now all I can think about is how much I miss Cole. How I’d rather be in his bed cuddled up with Duchess, sulking over how much I wish he were here, than spend the evening pretending I’m perfectly fine so my sisters don’t start probing me with questions.

I’m also just exhausted. Between not sleeping well because I’ve gotten used to having Cole beside me and prepping extra pastries so I can space out my early mornings and delegate more to Lina, I’m bone tired.

So much so that I barely register Elyse asking me what I’d like to drink until she has to repeat herself. When my eyes meet hers her face is already twisted with concern, so I paint on a bright smile before she decides to make it a whole thing.

“Water is fine for now,” I tell her. Mostly because if I had any wine I’d be fast asleep before the first rose ceremony.

I mindlessly munch on popcorn while we’re all gathered around the TV in Elyse’s recently renovated living room, watching the latest episode of The Bachelorette. I’ve never really followed the show but I don’t mind joining in and listening to everyone discuss the lore behind certain contestants.

Elyse is visibly showing now, her pregnant belly cute and round as she caresses it over her mug of tea. Layla came straight from work and looks about as tired as I feel, but she’s powering through as usual. Scottie and Marisa are tucked together on the opposite couch, whispering about their upcoming weddings.