Page 8

"I'm so happy to see you," I say to Hattie as I take the casserole out of the oven and set it on the trivet to rest for a few minutes. "It's been way too long." Hattie is someone else I've known for ages and feel comfortable with.

"It has. And thank you for tonight. After cooking all day, I appreciate a night off."

"I bet. And it's my pleasure. More wine?"

She giggles. "Sure. Why not?"

I texted Wade earlier today to get him to suggest to Hattie that we pick her and the kids up. That way she can relax and enjoy a couple of drinks. The woman works hard, and she deserves a break.

I refill her glass with Chardonnay. "Oh, before I forget." I grab a cube of ice from the freezer and drop it into the glass.

She lets out another giggle. "This is so fancy. I feel like I'm at a day spa."

I smile even though it's kind of sad that this is her idea of getting spoiled. I make a mental note to speak to Wade about taking the kids off her hands and gifting her a visit to an actual day spa.

Sofie is sitting in the dining nook doing her homework, optional according to Hattie, but something Sofie never skips on Friday nights, and Wade took Jax outside to have a private chat with him about the way he's been treating Hattie.

"How's the diner going?" I ask, pouring myself an iced tea.

"Slow. It's been great having Wade around to spruce the place up, but…" She catches my gaze then quickly looks away.

"But what?"

"Well, ever since that fancy-ass cafeteria opened at the military rehab center, it's basically wiped out our trade."

I wince, feeling terrible, even though that happened well before I joined.

Even if I had been around back then, I doubt I'd have been able to do anything about it.

It's privately owned, and it does a lot of good—I know for a fact the center privately sponsors veterans, offering them access to specific programs at no cost—but it also makes occasional dick moves, too.

In addition to the cafe, it's built lodging for visiting families and friends, effectively killing off a large chunk of the Thickehead Motel's clientele.

"Yeah. That sucks," I say, hating how pathetic my response is, so I distract myself by arranging the plates on the counter and getting the cutlery ready.

Hattie takes a swig of wine, then rests it on the counter, running her fingers up and down the stem of the glass. "So, you and Wade?"

I stop counting out forks. "What about me and Wade?" I know full well what she's getting at. According to Wade, it's Hattie's number one favorite topic. He's been copping a grilling the past few days while helping out at the diner.

"I know where he's at with things, but what about you?"

"That's a good question."

She grins and takes another sip. "That's why I asked."

I turn to face her, placing the forks on the counter. "I'm…treading lightly."

"Good idea. I did the same with Charlie."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot you guys were friends before taking the plunge." I start dishing out the casserole onto the plates. "Any advice?"

"Just my golden rule." She tips her glass toward me. "Talk, talk, and talk some more."

I chuckle. "We are."

She mutters something that sounds like "Should've done it years ago," and even though I hear it, I let it slide because she's absolutely right. We should have.

I don't necessarily know what it would have changed, though. Would Wade still have gone away? There's no way I would have stood in the way of his dream of a military career. It's what he's wanted to do his whole life.

Would we have done the long-distance thing? Could we have made it work? Are we actually meant to be together, or is this all just some fantasy I'm holding on to that will turn to shit the moment we give it a proper shot, potentially ruining our friendship and everything that we have?

With casserole heaped onto every plate, I blow out a heavy breath and let go of all thoughts about the past and the future and instead focus on what's happening right now.

Starting with… "Dinner's ready!" I call out.

"Did you have a nice time?" I ask Wade, plunging my hands into the warm soapy water. We've dropped Hattie and the kids back at her place, and Wade's perched at the breakfast bar while I wash up.

"I did. Thanks again for doing everything. I feel bad you won't even let me help clean up a little." I shoot him a look. He raises his hands. "But I get it."

I smile. "I know you do."

"What did you say to Jax?" I ask. "He was like a different kid after your chat."

He strode back into the kitchen and threw himself onto Hattie, telling her how much he loved her and that he was going to try and be good from now on.

"I just said that it's important to treat everyone with kindness and respect, especially his mom. And then I reminded him that his father will hear about everything when he gets back, and that in the meantime, while I'm here, he'll have to deal with me if he steps out of line."

"Ah, so you went with good ol' fear."

He flashes a grin. "I did."

"I'm sure Hattie appreciates the backup. You know, I was thinking, maybe we can offer to babysit the kids sometime so that Hattie can go to a day spa and have some time for herself?"

"We can definitely take the kids," Wade agrees with a nod. "Not sure if she has funds for a day spa."

"We have one at the center."

"You do?" Wade's eyes bulge. "Oh, wait. Of course you do. That place has everything."

"I'll see what I can do about getting her a free pass."

"Have I told you how incredible you are?"

"Not today, no. And frankly, I'm starting to get a little down about it."

He chuckles as he lifts himself off the stool and rounds the corner, then he slides his arms around my waist and presses his hard body into me. "Well, you are," he whispers into my ear, and I lean back. His cock thickens against my ass cheek. "Did Hattie interrogate you about us?"

I place the wine glass I've been washing onto the drainboard, not caring it's still sudsy—literally a world first for me—and spin around. "She did," I say, staring into his pine-green eyes. "Said we need to communicate."

"She's right. We should."

My eyes fall to his lips. "We should."

Before I know it, we're kissing. It's urgent, hungry, desperate. The need he's stirred up in me since returning, and since our kiss a few nights ago, has left my body blazing. I'm not usually a sex-driven person, but these last few days, I've been busting out a load daily.

Mindful of Wade's restricted mobility, I step around him and walk backward, our mouths connected the whole time. His hands have found their way under my shirt, and it tickles in a good way as his fingers skim across my abs.

I nudge him so that he leans against the counter, then I drop to my knees and slide my fingers over the latch over his belt buckle. Once I get it undone, I peer up to find Wade's eyes darting around, like he's expecting someone to waltz in.

"Who are you looking for?" I ask.

"Rufus."

With a chuckle, I reply, "He's curled himself up in a jacket in the mudroom and is fast asleep." Turns out he has a moderate respiratory infection. The antibiotics are making him lethargic, but he should be back to his usual self in another week or so. "He won't cockblock us again. Promise."

Wade's hand lands on my chin, and he gently tilts my head up so that our eyes meet. "Are you sure about this?"

"I am. I want you."

He breathes out through his nose. "I want this, too. Believe me. I just don't want to mess anything up."

I slide his belt free from the belt loops and drop it onto the floor. "We won't."

He fixes me with an unwavering stare for what feels like forever and eventually nods. "Okay. Let's do this."