Page 69 of Yearn

Cadence pushed on. “Here’s my advice: don’t let lust make your decisions. Think about your babies. Think about custody. Scott is a dirty dog, and if he finds out about this, he’ll use it against you.”

Her words chilled me. Because they were the same ones that had already been gnawing at my bones all morning. The same words that made my hands shake on the wheel when I thought about Scott’s face twisted in outrage from him finding out that someone else could love me better than him.

But then Ro spoke up again, softer this time. “And also think about this: those babies are already watching. They’re watching how Dom treats you. How he cooks for them. How he makes mornings light instead of heavy. That matters too. Don’t discount it.”

I went quiet.

My throat worked around the lump that rose up.

Because they were right—both of them. I was walking a razor’s edge between danger and desire. One slip, and I could bleed out everything I loved. But one step in the right direction, and maybe, just maybe, I could walk into something that healed me instead of hurt me.

“Y’all make the decision sound so easy,” I whispered.

Ro snorted. “Easy? Baby, no. But simple? Yes. Scott’s a demon. Dom is a fine-ass angel with dick for days. Pick wisely.”

Cadence clicked her tongue. “Do not listen to her. You need to think of this long-term. What does Dominic mean to you, really? Is he a fling? A rebound? Or is he. . .someone you could love?”

The word love slid through me like melted sugar, dangerous and sweet.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I don’t know yet. But when I’m around him. . .God, it feels like I can breathe for the first time in years. Like somebody truly sees me and it feels so good.”

Silence again.

Then Cadence sighed. “Then maybe. . .don’t run from it. But be careful.”

“Finally, we agree on something.” Ro clapped again. “Amen.”

I laughed through the ache in my chest. “Y’all are fools.”

“Fools who love you,” Cadence said.

Ro’s voice rose. “Before you hang up, reminder: Blow Job class is Wednesday at seven. Don’t be late.”

I groaned. “Ro—”

“And no need to bring dildos this time,” she pressed on. “We’ve got them all. Silicone ones. Very lifelike. It’s part of the tuition.”

Cadence gasped. “Why would you announce that like it’s a PTA meeting? Dildos, Ro!”

“Because y’all need the information.” Ro snapped her fingers. “It’s about technique, not toys. No shame. Just education.”

I covered my face with one hand, laughing into my palm. “Girl, I don’t know if I can show up and wrap my lips around silicone in front of strangers.”

“You can. And you will.” Ro’s tone was final. “Think of it as self-care. Moisturizer for your soul. Plus, you need to work on those skills to keep Dominic in line and have him screaming, ‘Oh, Mommy! Suck my cock, Mommy!’”

Cadence groaned so loud my car speakers buzzed. “Jesus, take the wheel.”

“He already did,” Ro chuckled, “He drove it straight to Dominic’s towel-clad ass.”

“Anyway.” Cadence made a strangled noise. “Can we talk about something less. . .sticky before hanging up?”

I chuckled. “Like what?”

“Like Pool Boy.” Cadence lowered her voice the way she always did when she was guilty of reading something spicy. “Anybody started it yet?”

Ro gasped. “Girl, yes! I’m on chapter two and I’m already wet. The man hasn’t even taken his pants off yet and I’m like—whew, Lord.”

Cadence squealed. “Ro! Stop!”