“Soooooo,” I parrot.
“About your hot hookup…”
“What about him? I think I told you pretty much everything this morning.”
“Liar!”
I knit my eyebrows together. “You lost me.”
“You didn’t tell me who Holt Christensen really was.”
“Did you talk to your brother? Sounds like he knows Holt’s band.”
“Nah. Google told me everything I needed to know.”
“You Googled him?”
“Of course. Didn’t you?”
“Not yet. I’ve barely had time to breathe today. I figured I’d do it a little later.”
“Had you done your research, you would’ve known you struck gold.” Huh? “Last night you had four toe-curling rounds with a sexy god of rock music.”
“Callum wasn’t pulling my leg?”
“I don’t know what my brother told you, but Google tells me, Mr. Christensen was the badass guitarist and sexy backup singer of Random Misconception.”
“Callum said his band was popular.”
“Not popular. Random Misconception was one of the biggest rock bands ever.”
“Wow.”
I kind of dismissed Callum.
“You, dear cousin, nabbed one of the most eligible single hotties in the music industry and in the great US of A.”
“Pfft. I did not.”
“You don’t believe me?” she asks.
She’s almost vexed.
“How in the world did I end up with a guy like that when I’ve avoided dating since Dalton called it quits?”
“Honestly, I’ve been asking myself the question since I found out who this guy is. I mean, seriously––”
“Thanks for the support.”
“I was just agreeing with you.”
“Ainsley,” I warn.
“Sorry. Of course, you would bag him. Look at you. You’re gorgeous. How many times have I told you that?”
I can’t help but laugh.
“I go from a pretentious stuck-up preppy without a heart to most eligible? No way. Not me.” I cross my arms over my chest and shake my head.
“Fine. I’ll prove it.”
Ainsley gets up and grabs her iPad.
“Check it out for yourself,” she challenges.
An hour later, a second bottle of wine polished off and four cannolis down, I know so much more about Holt Christensen.
“I can’t believe I let a bad boy rock star god tie me up and have his way with me,” I say.
“W—what?” Ainsley shrieks. “You did what?” She’s stunned.
Shit. That was supposed to be my inner voice.
“Didn’t I tell you?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Everly Reed Bickford-Smith. You know perfectly well you omitted that part.”
“There was so much going on this morning,” I defend.
“That’s a lousy excuse and you know it,” she rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe you left out that saucy bit. That’s the best part,” she swats my arm.
“I still can’t believe I went along with it. I guess I followed your advice to a T.”
“Whoa!” she raises a hand. “I never told you to go that far.”
“With him, it felt right, Ainsley.”
“Jesus, I’ve never even tried that myself and here you go from being celibate for––what? Three years?”
“Two and a half,” I correct.
I told you it had been a while.
“You go from no cock to riding a thoroughbred stallion who has a penchant for kinky sex.”
“I’m just following your motto. Go big or go home––”
“Whatever!” she shouts. “The bottom line is you went there and you didn’t tell me about. Of course, a regular guy would’ve been too much to ask for your debut. But, nooooo. Not you. Talk about getting back on the horse in a big way.” She let out a loud huff. “God, every woman needs to take a page out of your book.”
I open my mouth, but my phone chimes in, pulling my attention to it.
Ooohhh!
-----
Hey, precious—I hope you’re no longer at the shop.
-----
“Sorry,” I say, meeting my cousin’s inquisitive gaze. “I know it’s impolite, but I’m just going to reply to this text message real quick.”
Ainsley cocks an eyebrow. “Rock star god?”
I nod.
“Don’t just stare at me, answer the man,” she waves an impatient finger at my phone.
-----
Nah. I’ve been off the donut clock for the last couple of hours. I’m just here at my place, chilling with my cousin.
-----
Sounds like you had a busy day.
-----
It was ridiculous, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
-----
I’m happy for you. Since I’ll be close to your shop after dropping off my daughter at school tomorrow morning, I thought I’d drop by with your necklace. Does that work?
-----
Absolutely!
-----
Good. I can’t wait to see you again.
-----
Same here.
-----
It’s been nonstop for me as well. I’m going to call it a night. Just wanted to check in with you before I went to bed.
Oh my God! And to think, we’ve already exchanged four text messages today.
Good night, precious.
-----
Good night and sweet dreams.
-----
Of course, they will be. You’ll be the star.
-----
That’s a lot to live up to.
-----
I think you proved worthy of the title last night. Over, and over, and over again. It won’t be as good as having you in my arms, but it’ll have to do.
-----
You’re crazy.
-----
I’ll take the fifth. Good night!
-----
Good night!
-----
“And?” Ainsley asks.
I drop my phone on the table, pull my eyes away from it and look up at her. I try desperately not to allow my smile to crack my face in half, but I’m failing miserably. Honestly, I don’t even know why I bother trying to hide how giddy I am.
Ainsley lifts her hands up. “You don’t have to say a word. That stupid grin on your face tells the whole story.” She shakes her head. “My little cousin bagged a fucking rock star.”
She can’t get over it.
Frankly, I doubt I ever will.
CHAPTER 19
Holt
I wasn’t as lucky this week, so I had to park a little further away from Everly’s bakery. As I round the corner, the line-up outside is a dead giveaway. It’s Flashback Friday. To think, a week ago, I didn’t even know this woman existed. Now, I can’t seem to be able to fall asleep or get my day started without jerking off thinking of her heavenly body wrapped into mine. Our steamy night together has been looping in my head nonstop, keeping me company in an otherwise lonely bed.
As I make my way to the back of the line, my phone chimes in. I pull it out and smile. Jagger is on another creative roll. After a furious texting session, I tuck my phone into the pocket of my jeans just as it’s my turn to enter the bakery. Sure, I could’ve texted Everly to jump the line, but it was a short wait and Jagger and I were able to agree on a few important things before he goes back into hiding in his writing cave.