Baiting Him (How to Catch an Alpha #2)(29)

“You’re welcome.” I roll to my back, bringing her with me, and she plants her hands on my chest and looks down at me curiously. “What?”

“I didn’t know you have a motorcycle.”

“I have three,” I admit while tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Three?” Her eyes widen, making me smile.

“Yeah, besides the one I have here, I’ve got one in Jersey, at my mom’s place, and one in Florida, at her condo.”

“Do you ride a lot?”

“All the time—not normally in the winter, but today I knew my bike would get me to you faster than my car,” I say.

Her lips part as her eyes fill with tenderness, and then she rests her head against my chest. “Will you take me for a ride sometime?”

“Absolutely, when the weather warms up.”

“Awesome.” I feel her smile, and I run my fingers through her soft hair as I stare at the ceiling. “Gus?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“I like you a lot.”

Fuck. “That’s good, sweetheart, because I like you a lot too,” I reply, thinking that’s a fucking lie, because I’m pretty sure I’m half in love with her already.





Suggestion 9

ADMIT IT TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU FALL FOR HIM

CHRISSIE

“I’ll call you as soon as I get home,” I tell Gus while trying to ignore the look my best friend is giving me at the moment. One that says she’s going to bombard me with questions as soon as I get off the phone.

“Good,” he says softly. “I’ll bring LeFou down with me. He can stay with you while I’m at work tonight.”

“That works for me.” A smile I can’t help slides into place as happiness and anticipation fill the pit of my stomach. Now, not only do I get to see him tonight, but him bringing LeFou guarantees I will see him again in the morning. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

“All right, sweetheart. Have fun with your friend.”

“I will. Later.”

“Later, babe.” He hangs up, and I pull my phone from my ear.

“You’re in love,” Leah shouts, startling me, and I shake my head while she nods. “You are! You’re totally in love with this guy.”

“I’m not,” I deny as my heart suddenly starts to speed up. It’s not a lie; I’m not in love with him, but I’m for sure falling hard and fast.

“Your face says you are.”

“Leah, I haven’t known Gaston long enough to be in love with him. I just . . .” I chew the inside of my cheek, trying to figure out how I feel. “I just like him a lot.”

“Looking back, I think I fell in love with Tyler while I was convincing myself we were just friends. You know, that was just a few days after the first time we really spent time together.” She and her now husband met under unusual circumstances, and although Leah tried to avoid him, his dog and her cat constantly stirred up trouble, which forced them together.

“Okay, but—”

“Never mind.” She cuts me off before I can tell her our circumstances are totally different. “I know I’ll never be able to convince you, but I’m just reserving the right to say ‘I told you so’ when the time comes.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes.

“I have to say . . . ,” she starts while flipping open the box on the table between us and inspecting the six cupcakes I brought her. After deciding on a chocolate cupcake with chocolate cherry chip icing and lifting it to her mouth, she says, “It’s going to be fun watching you come to terms with things. Now tell me everything about this guy.”

“I thought you were feeding me dinner,” I prompt as she begins to lick the icing off the top of the cupcake.

“I am.” She waves her hand toward her cell. “I called in our order when you let me know you were on your way, so we’ve got time to talk before our food gets here.”

“Can I at least have a glass of wine first?” I ask sarcastically, and she grins.

“Absolutely.” She stands, taking her cupcake with her as she walks to the fridge. She pulls out a bottle of my favorite rosé, then pours me a glass and comes back toward the table.

“You’re not drinking?” My brows pull together in confusion as she hands me the glass before she takes her seat.

“Well . . .” She looks away, and my eyes narrow.

“Well what?”

“Tyler and I have decided we’re going to try to have a baby, and even though I’m not pregnant now, I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to make that happen for us.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper, staring at her, and then I set down my glass, stand, and engulf her in a hug. “This is so exciting.”

“I’m not pregnant yet.” She laughs, and I laugh along with her.

“I don’t care; this is awesome.” I notice her cheeks have gotten pink, but her eyes have filled with concern. “What?”

“What if it doesn’t happen?” she asks softly, sounding worried. We have mutual friends who’ve tried and never accomplished getting pregnant, so I know her concern is valid.

“It will happen, and when it does, you’re going to be an amazing mom,” I reassure her.