Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“We love you, Bree,” Hayden adds.
I take a deep breath and nod, feeling silly. I know these men. They love me and wouldn’t go elsewhere because we can’t be together for a couple of weeks. I mean more to them than that.
“I love you too.”
“Get some sleep, sweetness,” Brody says with a soft smile. “We’ll talk soon.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
AUBREE
“Be good for Grammy, and don’t go overboard.”
“We know,” Miles and Evie say in unison.
“Please let me give you some money,” I offer Beatrice. Just her taking the kids to pick out decorations and two cakes while I bake is enough—yes, I’ve ordered their cakes because I don’t have time to bake two specialty cakes. With Caroline and Lacey both home with colds, and still being down an oven, the last thing I need is the kids complaining while I bake. When Beatrice offered to take them to pick out the stuff for their party this weekend, I could’ve kissed her.
“It’s not happening,” she insists. “It’s my treat. We’ll be back soon.”
Once they’re gone, I get to work. I’m several trays of muffins and scones in when I remember I never let the guys know today isn’t happening after all. Lacey had originally offered to watch the kids, but she came down with a cold. Then Caroline called in, saying she was feeling under the weather, which put me behind on my baking. I meant to let them know that I can’t meet up with them, but I got busy.
Me: Rain check? I’m stuck in the shop baking. I’m sorry.
Hayden: Are the kids with Lacey?
Me: She’s sick. They’re with my MIL, but Caroline called out. Since I had to work the front instead of baking, I need to get it all done for tomorrow.
Brody: It’s okay.
It’s not, though. They may say it is, but it’s not. Dating someone means actually seeing them. It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen the guys, and I’ve passed the point of desperation. And based on their texts, I’m almost positive they feel the same way.
We talk every night after the kids go to bed and text throughout the day, but I miss being with them. I’m stressed and exhausted, and I just want them to hold me. I want to feel their mouths on mine and their hands on my body. I want to lay my head on their chests and fall asleep to the thumping of their heartbeats.
I’m lost in thought when there’s a knock on the door. When I walk out to see who it is, my heart picks up speed. Because standing on the other side are Brody and Hayden.
I quickly undo the lock and pull them inside, hugging each of them as tightly as I can. “This is the best surprise ever, but I told you I can’t go anywhere.”
“We know,” Hayden says. “That’s why we came to you.”
“I have to bake.” Just as the words leave my mouth, the timer goes off.
“Smells good in here,” Brody says, walking to the back ahead of me.
“They’re blueberry muffins.” Slipping on my oven mitt, I pull the trays out and set them on the cooling racks. “I still have at least another hour to go. I’m sorry. I wish I could leave, but my oven is broken and—”
“Stop,” Hayden says, pulling me into his arms. “We aren’t asking you to leave. We miss you, and if that means hanging out here while you bake, that’s fine by us.”
Emotion clogs my throat as tears fill my lids, and when Brody leans in and kisses the crown of my head with Hayden still holding me, a choked sob escapes. I drop my head against Hayden’s chest and lose it.
Neither man says a word while I cry into Hayden’s shirt. A hand rubs my back, while another rubs my arm, attempting to comfort me. When I finally get myself together, I exhale a deep breath and glance up at Hayden, who’s looking down at me with concern etched in his features.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, tucking several strands of hair behind my ear. “Talk to us, please.”
“I just feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment,” I admit through a sniffle. “The broken oven doubles my baking time. My baker quit, two employees are sick, the kids’ birthday party is this weekend, and I haven’t gotten it all together. And then there’s you guys. I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks, and instead of failing at one relationship, I’m failing at two.” By the time I’ve gotten it all out, my cheeks are covered in tears, and snot drips out of my nose.
Hayden lifts me and places me on the counter, then grabs a paper towel and dabs the tears from my cheeks. I take it from him and clean my nose.
“Have Brody or I complained once about not seeing you?” Hayden asks once I’m halfway decent.