“Agreed.” Nick sighs. “It was so light and perfect. A good balance of sweet.”
Roman looks between the flavors and nods. “I enjoyed the Vanilla and the orange almond.”
“All were amazing. I will take the leftovers.” Massimo says.
Sophie laughs until I grind against her hand. Her eyes go to me and she sucks in a harsh breath. I smirk. “So, what’s the verdict.”
“Vanilla, Mascarpone, Orange almond, and the Devil’s chocolate.” Her low voice, the rough edge to it, makes my cock twitch.
“Calm down over there.” Valerie orders.
My friend tries to hide his smirk behind his hand before he nods. “Four tiers, one of each.”
“And six cupcakes of each, just to make sure we have enough.” Nick decides. “If there are any leftover, we know who will take them.”
“Hell yes! I love being the best man.” Massimo shouts.
We all laugh, then go to a little hole-in-the-wall shop for lunch. A nice Cuban place that I swear by. Valerie sits between me and Sophie and narrows her eyes. “If you’re marrying my best friend for the sex and only the sex, I will cut your dick off.”
“Sex wouldn’t get her a ring.” I hiss. “Just because I’m very happy to show her how much she turns me on, doesn’t mean that’s the reason I love her.”
“Then how about you tell me why.”
“How about you wait until I say my vows,” I say. “You already gave your approval.”
“I’m waiting.” She says simply.
I groan. “Fuck, I love her, Valerie. I love that she encourages me. I love how she looks at me and makes me feel. I love how she refuses to take opportunities to get ahead that she didn’t earn. I love her determination and sass and the way she gets things done no matter the odds. She accepts me for everything I am, even the shit I don’t like showing. She never asks me to change or be something I’m not.”
“So other than your dick?”
“You didn’t get to see that.” I remind her. “And I don’t appreciate you givingmehell rather than anyone else.”
“You’re the one always making the moves.”
“So is Sophie.” I counter. “I never do anything without consent.”
Valerie looks at Sophie, who’s not at all pretending to be innocent considering how she’s rubbing her ass against Holden while ordering, pretending to need to bend over to see the options better. Holden’s face is drawn tight, trying to keep himself composed.
Valerie huffs, but I don’t let her escape the question. “I’m serious. Why are you up my ass?”
“You set me up with three men when I didn’t ask you to. You know Hunter has messaged me six times asking to go out?”
“Well, you did kiss his brother.” I shrug. “I didn’t do that.”
“You cornered me into a situation with them. I don’t appreciate being forced to do anything, Gunner, and you didn’thaveto do that. You chose to based on one drunk comment.”
“So you’re telling me that if they’re at the wedding and Leif asks you to dance, you’ll say no.”
“Absolutely.”
“Then let’s place a bet. If any of them ask you to dance and you say yes, you have to send me the best apology card they have.”
She puts her hand in mine and the force of her fingers nearly takes my breath away. She crushes my hand.
“Okay.” She shrugs.
She releases me and I skirt around to the back of the line, nervous to be in her crosshairs. How the hell is Sophie friends with a take-no-shit woman like Valerie? She could be fucking president with that attitude. I bet she’d climb the ranks fast.