Page 105 of Vying Girls

‘Well. Least it wasn’t their name.’

‘Nope.’ She pulls the top of my t-shirt down, leaving an open-mouthed kiss on Haz’s serpent. ‘Unlike this.’

‘It’s been a week,’ I point out. ‘We’re still together.’

‘Definitely escaped the curse then. Nice one.’

‘Mm-hm.’ I draw in a slow breath as she kisses my boob again. ‘So, tell me more about this exercise you’ve got planned.’

‘We were thinking a hike.’

‘Oh.’

Elly raises her head with a grin. ‘Kidding. The exercise will be up to you, babe. You’re the birthday girl.’

I rub a tuft of her hair between my finger and thumb. ‘But it’ll involve the both of you?’

‘If you want that.’

I draw her down for a kiss, letting her know without words just how much I want that.

A couple of hours later, I’m still in bed, only with a full stomach now, a cleared plate resting on my lap. I pass it to Haz when she gestures for it, letting her put it down on the nightstand with hers and Elly’s.

‘That was insane, Haz. You’re actually such a good cook.’

‘Only just noticing, huh?’

‘I’m only just noticingmanyof your talents.’

She chuckles, twining hands with me. ‘Got many more, baby. Just say the word and I’ll show you.’

‘I’ll totally say the word.’ I close my eyes, head leant back on the headboard, soaking in the heat of both of them beside me. ‘As soon as my breakfast goes down.’

‘More like lunch,’ Haz huffs. ‘Didn’t think you were ever getting up.’

‘It’s her birthday, bro,’ Elly says. ‘Let her off.’

‘Get her off, more like.’ Haz puts two of my fingers in her mouth, sucking them off. ‘Birthday sex, baby.’

My gut coils with a mixture of nerves and excitement, a throbbing between my legs that’s been there ever since they both assaulted me with their own versions of heavy petting earlier. I open my eyes as Haz removes my fingers, her eyes bright and eager as they look into mine.

I’m as eager as she is, but there’s something else drawing my attention today. Something that should be just upstairs if I’m lucky.

I lean over and peck Haz on the lips. ‘BRB.’

Fishing around in Elly’s bedside drawer, I pull out the little origami box I made, inspired by the one in Nic’s own drawer. Iused the same gold ribbon from the night of the storm to adorn it, hoping she’ll get the symbolism.

I’m hoping she’ll get all of it, to be honest, because if she doesn’t, it might just reverse any of the progress we’ve made.

‘She’s not in, you know,’ Haz says.

‘Isn’t she?’

My heart drops. Of course she isn’t. It’s creeping towards afternoon and I’m sure the sunshine was too much of a temptation. I just thought, on our birthday…

‘Don’t worry, she’ll be back later. She made us promise we’ll keep you free tonight.’

‘Why?’