32. Elodie

ELODIE

T WO WEEKS LATER

It feels like every news outlet is here at the charity event tonight. Stella didn’t think it would be fair to wait until the next football season to debut my bakery, so she organized a special charity event in Skyrise City in combination with the football team to celebrate their Super Bowl win two weeks ago.

Nina helps me plate each of my donut hole–stuffed cookies, or donutie, for the awaiting servers to take them to the guests. This event is my official kickoff of my bakery, and my stomach feels like a swarm of bees are trapped inside, trying to find a way out. At least the decorations on the cookies look super cute, some with microphones and music notes, and some with footballs and goal posts to represent both Stella and the Sentinels coming together tonight.

Aria breezes into the kitchen, her white, floral swing dress swaying with each step. “Everyone is raving about your donuties.”

I let out a sigh of relief, and Nina bumps her shoulder into mine. “Told you so.”

“You did.”

“And…” Aria pauses as she reaches over the table and steals a donutie. “People are also asking about our jackets.”

I laugh at the shocked look on Nina’s face. After the Super Bowl, I Spice Girls dared her to make the dark green bomber jackets Aria, Stella, Nina, and I are wearing. She grumbled the entire time she was working on these, but they’re a labor of love and a testament to how talented she is.

On the front, Nina sewed on two white zeros, one on each side of the chest and the zipper breaking it up. The team logo is on the bottom right and on the cuff of the sleeves. On the back, our last names sit above an embroidered outline of Stella’s profile while she sings into a microphone.

“Told you so,” I say, repeating her words from moments ago.

Nina glares at me and I laugh again, not at all bothered. The jacket matches perfectly with my black jumpsuit. Stella paired hers with a black skirt and crop top, and Nina is rocking some navy high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and a vest.

Aria grins. “You two are going to be the talk of the town after tonight.”

“Let’s hope not,” Nina says.

I laugh and Aria says, “They’re ready for us.”

“Go ahead. Just give me two minutes to finish this up.”

They walk arm in arm out of the kitchen, and I smile, happy we can all be together again. I’ve missed Aria, and after tonight, I’m hoping to see her more. After I finish decorating the last of my donuties, I head into the main area to meet with Stella. People are still filing in, taking the stairs up to the room where the gala will take place. Halfway up, someone bumps into my shoulder, and I lose my balance.

Before I can fall fully, a strong arm wraps around my waist.

“Thank you,” I say, turning my head to the person who caught me. “For saving me from crash?—”

A choked sob escapes my lips as I meet Hunter’s gaze. A range of emotions play across his face—shock, relief, excitement, and love. We’ve videoed regularly since his win, but we haven’t seen each other in person in months.

“We can’t keep meeting like this,” he says, grinning.

“I don’t know, I’m quite fond of you catching me.” I lean into him, soaking up his warmth.

“Always,” he whispers, his arm tightening around me. When we reach the top of the stairs, he leans into my ear and whispers, “Remember the plan. Go to Aria and Nina.”

He nudges me toward them standing on the side of the room near the front, and I robotically walk toward them. Right, the plan. The one that brings us together publicly and where we don’t have to hide anymore.

I glance behind me, and Hunter’s gaze burns into me. Jake comes to his side and says something to him, but Hunter doesn’t look away from me.

“You weren’t supposed to make it obvious,” Nina says when I reach her.

“One day, you’re going to fall for someone, and I can’t wait to rub your feelings in your face.”

She snorts. “That’ll be the fucking day.”

“Shh,” Aria says, nodding to where Stella and Evren are standing at the podium.

Stella gives me a soft smile, before focusing on the room filled with reporters, the team, and local businesses. Since things have calmed down for her, we’ve been videoing regularly, catching up on lost time.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Evren says. “Here at the Skyrise Sentinels, we believe in giving back and helping our great city. That’s why we’re honored to join Stella Wilde for our special charity event. All proceeds from tonight will go toward The Uplift Foundation. Growing up, I didn't always have the resources or support I needed to chase my dreams. That’s why The Uplift Foundation is so close to my heart. They provide the kind of guidance and opportunities that can change a young person's life.”

“As a singer,” Stella says, “I know the power of inspiration. But sometimes, the most important role models are the ones who guide you one-on-one. The Uplift Foundation creates that space where young people can connect with mentors and see possibilities for themselves. Being a part of that journey and showing them anything is possible is something I think we can all get behind.”

The crowd claps, and multiple camera flashes go off. Stella smiles her red-carpet smile.

“Tonight,” Evren says, “we have some very special items we’re auctioning off and we’re very proud to support the brand-new opening of a local donutie shop, Bliss Bites, that’ll be a permanent feature here in the stadium when the season starts back up in September.”

Stella leans toward the microphone and playfully says, “My friend Elodie is the genius behind it.” Stella and I debated if we should come out as sisters or not, but since Stella doesn’t talk about her family publicly, we decided to call me her friend. “Elodie is an amazing person, and her bakery is going to be the next big thing. Donuties are officially my favorite dessert.”

“The donuties are delicious,” someone, who sounds an awful lot like Hunter, shouts from the other side of the room. A few people chuckle and Evren says, “I hope you enjoy your evening. ”

Stella walks off the stage and hugs me as the MC takes over. I try to ignore the feeling of cameras on me, capturing this moment. But it’s difficult, especially when a group of reporters make their way over to us, the lights from their video equipment partially blinding me.

“Stella,” a man says, “can you please introduce us to your friend?”

“Of course,” Stella says. “Please meet Elodie. Elodie, meet everyone.”

The reporters chuckle and a man asks, “How long have you two been friends?”

“Some months,” Stella says, “but it feels like I’ve known her my entire life. Elodie has quickly become one of my best frien?—”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Hunter says, coming to our side with Jake. “But I wanted to meet the woman who made such delicious donuties.”

“By all means,” Stella says, turning to me. “Hunter, meet my friend Elodie. Elodie, meet my friend Hunter.”

Hunter takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles. “It’s a pleasure.”

“The feeling might be mutual…eventually,” I joke.

The reporters laugh, and Hunter beams at me.

“You know,” Stella says, “I normally don’t play matchmaker, but I think you two might be perfect together.”

A female reporter gasps. “You’re okay with your ex dating your friend? ”

“Well, it’d depend on the ex, if you know what I mean.” Stella smiles prettily, as if she didn’t just hint at Jax. “But honestly, I'd be thrilled. Elodie deserves someone amazing, and Hunter is the best man I know.”

“Wow,” the woman says in awe, “you really are America’s sweetheart.”

“I try,” Stella says with a laugh. “I hope you enjoy your night and, who knows, maybe I’ll make a special performance if we achieve our fundraising goal within the next hour. But I’m not sure anyone knows about that…”

Stella gives the reporters a meaningful look and they stare at her in stunned silence for a beat before scrambling to their tables, spreading the word about Stella’s possible performance.

“Damn, you’re good with the press,” Nina says, coming to our side.

Aria throws an arm across Stella’s shoulder. “That’s my girl.”

Evren strides to our side once the reporters disappear and gives Nina a long look from head to toe.

“Did you make the jackets?” he asks her, his tone even.

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Do you have a licensing agreement to use my team’s logo?” Evren asks.

“Why do you ask?” Nina quips.

“You’re not allowed to use it without pre-approval.”

“Or what? ”

“Or you could have a lawsuit on your hands.”

“I dare you to sue me,” Nina says, taking a menacing step toward him, her fists clenched. “I. Fucking. Dare. You.”

Evren’s lips twitch and I grab on to her arm before she does something she’ll get in trouble for. “Let’s go have a donutie and calm down, yeah?” I propose.

“I don’t know,” Aria says, “I’d put my money on Nina if they got into a fight.”

“Are you encouraging them to duke it out here?” Jake asks in shock. “In front of the press?”

Aria shrugs. “I mean… It’d be entertaining.”

Jake frowns at her, as if not sure if she’s serious or not. I’m not sure either, but she’s right, it would be entertaining. Nina and Evren keep glaring at each other, the tension within our group rising to uncomfortable levels.

“Get it together,” Stella whisper-shouts, glaring at Aria, Jake, Nina, and Evren. “If any of you ruin this moment for Elodie, I’ll end you all.” Stella nods toward Kai, standing a few feet behind us. His gaze is on the crowd, but it keeps flicking toward Stella. “Or I’ll send Kai and his team to do it.”

Everyone’s silent as they process her words. Hunter brushes his fingers against my own before hooking his pinky around mine. I keep my gaze on our friends as I relish in this moment, the feel of him touching me.

“How long do we have to stay?” Hunter asks.

“One hour,” Stella says. “I’ll sing a song, and Elodie needs to be seen cheering me on. Then you two can disappear. Now go back to your tables and don’t make a scene.”

I keep glancing at Hunter’s profile as I sit on his couch, taking in every detail about him. Minnie lies across my lap, acting like she’s a cat rather than a sixty-pound dog. She hasn’t left my side since we entered the house ten minutes ago. She’s like a love sponge, sucking up everything I give her and still demanding more.

“You going to blink sometime soon?” Hunter teases, glancing at me.

“Not sure. I’m afraid I’ll miss something.”

He takes my hand in his and squeezes once. “I’m not going anywhere. Never again.”

“Never again,” I repeat.

“I have something to tell you,” Hunter says.

“Okay? Something good or something bad?”

“Good. At least, I hope you think it’s good.” He takes a deep breath. “So…I bought another house in my neighborhood.”

“To diversify your real estate portfolio?” I ask in confusion.

He snorts. “No. It’s for your mom. I thought it might be easier for you to have her around.”

I blink at him in shock .

“This is a good speechless, right?” he asks. “Stella has an idea of how to bring Nina here and?—”

I grab the back of his neck, pulling him close, and plant a kiss on his lips. He moans and immediately deepens it, kissing me like he’s rememorizing my mouth, my tongue, me.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you,” I whisper.

“You’ve got it backwards. I’m not sure what I did to deserve you.”

Hunter picks up Minnie and sets her to the side before carrying me to the bedroom. He closes the door behind him and pushes me against it, claiming my mouth in his once again. His massive dick presses against my stomach, demanding attention.

The door thumps behind me before whimpers fill the air. Minnie.

Hunter laughs and buries his head into my shoulder. “Mommy and Daddy need some alone time,” he says through the door. Minnie only whines louder. “Is this a sneak peek for when we have kids?”

I laugh and let Minnie into the room. She gives Hunter the stink eye and immediately jumps onto the bed, lying down in his spot.

“Tomorrow,” Hunter says, “we’re going to sign her up for some doggy training classes because I refuse to be cockblocked by her.”

“At least you’re not wearing jeggings,” I say, looking down at his erection and grin .

He pulls at the waistband of his pants and flashes me his dick. “Thank fuck for small miracles.”

I lick my lips as I stare at him.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m locking us into the bathroom.”

I squeeze my thighs together at his threat and keep my gaze on his dick. In the next instant, he throws me over his shoulder and marches into the bathroom. I laugh and he slaps my ass before locking the door behind him and turning on the shower.

“Strip,” he demands. “And put your hands on the counter, ass out.”

“Is this my punishment for something?”

“No.” He cages me between his arms, his breath hot on my ear. “This is your reward.”