Page 78 of Fair Trade

If only Nick could see me now.

Sitting in a booth with some of my best girlfriends, feasting on every appetizer on the menu, because our newly pregnant friend Amelia couldn’t decide what she was craving.

“Guys, you don’t have to stick to soda because of me. I’m totally fine with you all enjoying a drink. In fact, I feel guilty for holding you back,” Amelia grouses.

“These are mocktails? Could’ve fooled me.” Nikki, Amelia’s very best friend, shrugs and winks at the mom-to-be.

Daisy blows out a big breath. “Trust me, Amelia. Last time I was at this place with you guys, I had the tequila hangover that will serve to keep me away from hard liquor for a very long time, so I welcome these fun mocktails.”

We all laugh at the memory of Daisy having a few too many and being whisked away by Coach, who happened to be here and offered to take her home.

“Oh yeah. I totally remember that night.” Isabella smirks. “That’s the night Mateo and I finally… well, you know.”

“Strikeout,” we all say in unison before breaking out into laughter.

Isabella gave more than enough details after the fact, detailing how she and Mateo had the most explosive night together. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

She blushes. “Mateo would die if he knew how much I spilled to you guys.” She looks around the table until her assessing eyes land on me. “Which is funny, because I don’t think any of us have been debriefed about how you and Nick got together. How about you enlighten us?” She tilts her head while taking a sip of her drink. My cheeks start to flush.

“You guys know Nick is a private person. I would share more, but I have to put his boundaries and needs first. We’re married but still a very new couple, and I don’t want to rock the boat too much yet,” I rush out, hoping the excuse lands true.

Isabella keeps her intense stare on me for a few more moments, but eventually, she deflates slightly. “Dammit. Why’d you have to drop the ‘boundary’ word in there? Now I have no choice but to be respectful!” She waves her hands in the air, and we all dissolve into giggles.

The waiter stops by and takes our third food order of the night right as my phone lights up. Again.

Because for the last hour, Nick has been blowing up my phone with texts and calls.

NICK:

Hi there. Checking in that you made it all right.

ME:

Yep! All good. Don’t wait up, xoxo

NICK:

You must be out of your mind if you think I won’t be waiting for your regular updates and safe arrival. Don’t you forget, we have matters to address once you get home. The kind that requires you naked in our bed.

A shiver ran down my spine at that last message. He was getting to me, so I told him I was going to stop looking at my screen for the rest of the night so I wouldn’t be rudely ignoring my friends. My phone has been doing theMacarenaon the booth seat beside me all night, but I’ve held strong thus far.

When I lift my phone to check the time quickly, I notice that I have an email notification.

From Nick.

Our emails have continued, but since we now live together, they’re mostly reserved for actual work conversations.

I don’t let my finger hover over the unread message for long before I give in to temptation.

My panties dampen as I finish reading.

My skin suddenly feels too tight, my nipples too sensitive.

“Oh, I know that look. Did someone get a naughty text?” Isabella teases.

I clear my throat, trying to shake the feelings of arousal off, and flip my phone toward the girls. “Well, you wanted a little something from our personal life, so how about this?”

“I see the word dick! I’m covering my eyes until you’re all done reading. And for the love of God, please don’t read my brother’s dirty text out loud,” Daisy groans.