Page 36 of Spending Forever With You

“Thanks,” I said as he passed me a bag of spicy chips that I grew up loving and still snuck them in during period weeks.

“Still a favorite?” I nodded as the sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention.

“Oh yeah, she still loves them, especially during⁠—”

“Thanks, Johnni, I think he gets it. Oh yeah, the girls are here. I gave them the grand tour, I hope that’s okay. They also contributed to our statements,” I said, cutting her off and addressing Luke who was now sporting a smirk.

“Oh shit, well, we appreciate you, ladies.” He nodded in their direction before he put his full attention back on me, with heavy eyes that had me feeling exposed standing in front of him as he licked his full lips.

God, I wonder if they feel just like I remember on my neck and⁠—

“C’mon, Holls, you already know it’s no problem at all. This is your home too, for the time being. Well, don’t let me interrupt your girl time. I’m heading up so I can get ready for the game. I’ll see you later, right?” he asked while putting his hand on mine on the island. The whole move was simple and yet so dangerous.

“Yes.”

“See you ladies later, enjoy the house.” They sing-songed their goodbyes in unison, which had me gagging.

“Eww… could y’all do anymore? It’s just Deacon.”

“No, could you?” Ms. it ain’t in love, it doesn’t seem like it. Your bottom lip is still on the floor,” Mickey said.

“I’m not.” I held on tight to my suppressed confusing feelings. I was sure it wasn’t love, but being this close to Luke was fucking with my mental and I didn’t like it. I needed to do something to fix it.

“Anyways, to change the subject…well, kinda. Mickey, do you think BK can take some pictures of us?”

“Wait, like an old school couple shoot?” Johnni jumped in before Mickey could respond.

“Not a couple, but yeah, I guess. Something that doesn’t scream we hate each other. That will also help us.” She kissed her teeth as she rolled her eyes.

“Clearly neither of y’all hate each other. That man buying groceries and getting favorites and both of y’all are eye fucking each other in front of company. Looks like a happily married couple to me.”

“Paying for groceries told you that? Honey, I gotta teach you how to read the room. I still hate that nigga.” We all shared a laugh as I finished putting the groceries away, ignoring the part about Luke and I eye fucking each other because I would be lying.

You just lied about hating him though, Holli.

“Anyway, I don’t see why not. I’ll text him to be sure though. How soon do you need them done?” Mickey asked with her phone out, already sealing the deal.

“Thank you, and yesterday. Tell him to bill Luke’s ass.”

“Just trifling. You hate him but making him pay for the fake couple pictures too.”

“Hell yeah, I got to get my reparations somehow. My documentary about surviving Luke Deacon won’t come without perks.”

The girls continued laughing while I shrugged.

Shit, I was serious. This time when I left, I was going to leave satisfied.

No you won’t because you’ll still be leaving.

I walked into Lacy’s house. She was my first stop before the game. With her being the last person on my list to get a statement from, I wanted to get this taken care of now. It had only been three days of me being at Luke’s house, but I had to get out of there before the purr of my pussy led me into dangerous territory.

I was woman enough to admit I was still attracted to my husband and it was a problem for my sanity and new celibacy.

The soft cries of a baby had me walking toward the den where I found her and my uncle Ellis with a baby on his chest, crying.

“Hey, family! Whose baby?”

“Hey niece, meet your little cousin, Ali.” He was the cutest deep brown skinned baby besides CJ. And judging from how tiny he was, I was thinking close in months too.