Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Barrett

T he next day, I pull into the parking area behind Gabby's and get out, before heading up the stairs to her apartment. She opens the door before I knock. As if she's been waiting for me. She never did that in our before relationship. I like this iteration of what we're becoming.

"Hey..." She smiles, leaning in to give me a kiss. "I saw you pull up and didn't want to wait any longer."

"Hey, yourself." I grasp hold of her hips, digging my fingers into her flesh, and holding tight. "You ready for family dinner?"

She blows a raspberry. "Yeah. Just thankful it isn't my first one. Alexis told me to invite Valentina. You don't mind giving her a ride too, do you?" She grimaces as she asks, scrunching up her nose. "I know I should've asked way before now, but we got so busy."

I push away from her, giving us both space. Already I feel the loss of her body heat, and wish we were back to being so close we could touch. "Yeah, I have no problem. What are we bringing?" I give her an exaggerated smile. "I didn't have time to stop and get anything. Plus, I thought that might offend you."

"Well, if you were going to grab something bakery related, I would definitely be offended. Luckily for you, I made a cake yesterday. We just have to swing down and get it out of the fridge. There might be a few chocolate chip cookies in there for you, too." Her eyes are dancing with excitement. "It's a double chocolate strawberry, and I can't wait to take a bite. My mouth watered when I was frosting it last night."

Mine is doing the same as she's talking about it. "What do I need to do in order to get an early taste? Those chocolate chip cookies better be mine and no one else."

She snorts, laughing. "Nothing, if I didn't take a bite, you're not getting one. Those cookies are yours, but I'll be damned if you get the cake before I do." She grabs her purse, shouldering it before walking out of the apartment, and crossing over to Valentina's. Knocking quickly, she comes back to stand next to me.

Valentina comes out, reminding me again of how young she looks. If I didn't know how old she was, I'd assume she was a high school student. I wonder what made her leave her home. Although my mom has gotten on my nerves for years, I wouldn't go no contact, and from everything I see Valentina is definitely no contact. "Thanks for driving." She gives me a small smile, completely bashful and unsure of herself. "I hope I'll be able to get my license soon. It won't be before my birthday, but I hope it won't be too long."

"It's really no problem." I motion for both of them to go down the stairs before me. Good manners dictate it. "So when is your birthday?"

She looks back, almost seeming embarrassed that I've asked. "Next week. Thursday, actually."

Gabby gasps, we know so little about her, I'm assuming she didn't know her birthdate either. "You'll be twenty-one? We have to take you to Monroe's for your birthday. Can we help you celebrate?"

Valentina's shoulders stiffen, she's obviously uncomfortable with the attention. "I'm not a member of your friend group, I doubt they would want me to impede on their Thursday night. I'm not a member of any friend group."

Both Gabby and I laugh heartily. "Then you don't know our friend group." I rub at my stomach. "They will use any excuse, and if you're going to keep working at Get Baked, make no mistake about it, you're going to be part of our friend group. Let us help you celebrate your birthday."

She glances over at Gabby, seeming to look for the confidence to say yes . "It's your choice. I'm going to get the cake, but I'm telling you, our group is the best. They take in anyone who needs family, Val, and you definitely need family. You don't have to do this alone. It's a lesson I've had to learn over the years, too. You're not the only one."

That's' probably the most accurate description of what our group of friends does. We find someone who needs to be taken in, and we do that. We treat them how they deserve to be treated, and we make sure they feel the love. While Gabby goes and gets the cake, I open the back passenger side of the quad cab for Valentina. "I promise..." I start. "They won't do anything they don't actually want to do, but I think if you give it a shot, you're going to realize that our friend group could more than likely change your life."

She nods, but doesn't say anything. It's a silent acceptance, but an acceptance nonetheless.

"Where's Vaughn?" Jasper asks as he and Daisy come in late. They're holding hands, and her cheeks are pink. "I thought for sure he'd beat us. We had to run over to the Foundation."

Absolutely none of us believe that they were late just because they had to run over to the Foundation. The way they look? They got a little carried away.

"He's gonna be here in a few minutes." I look up from my phone, where he's sent me a text. "He had to run home and change. Just got back in from out of town."

Alexis sighs. "It must be hard living his life. Gone so much, never sure when you're going to have to respond, especially in the summer and winter. It's no wonder he hasn't had a girlfriend in such a long time."

Valentina takes a drink from her glass and clears her throat, before asking. "What does he do?"

Boone reaches over, stealing a cube of cheese from a charcuterie board. "He's a lineman. Works for the electric company. Plays hard, works hard, is a major pain in the ass, but we love him just the same."

"You rang?" And there he fucking is. "Everything this man said about me is true." He grabs Boone by the shoulders, shaking him slightly. "I saw you the other day." He points to Valentina.

She nods shyly, before lowering her eyes.

Alexis saves her. "Dinner is ready if y'all are ready to eat."

"Thank God..." Vaughn grabs a plate. "I haven't had a home-cooked meal in two weeks."

Daisy smirks. "Then by all means, you go first."

He play bows to her. "Don't mind if I do."

As Gabby and I take our spots in line, I hook my arm around her neck and pull her back to my front. With her I feel like I'm in high school again where I want to be touching my girlfriend all the time, and I constantly want us to be together. She tilts her head back, and I take the moment to bend down and kiss her quickly.

If anyone sees, they don't say anything, and for that I'm thankful. I've never been happier, and I don't want anyone to make us feel bad about it.

This is everything I ever wanted.