Perfect Fling (Serendipity's Finest 2)

“So . . . you liked his command.”

Erin resigned herself to the inevitable mortification. “It turned me on,” she whispered. “Now give me my cake!” Her voice rose in direct relation to her frustration.

Macy grinned and returned the plate.

Erin dug in. “Thank God, Aunt Lulu is back with you. This cake is something else.”

“Aunt Lulu is still hoping for a settlement from the grocery store. What do you think her chances are?”

“Good, actually. Turns out there’s a family feud going on over who should be able to run the business. The high-powered legal team was one brother’s way of trying to manipulate the other brother into caving. Long story. Anyway, when I found out what was going on, I called the father who’d left his two moron sons fighting over the running of his business while he retired in Florida.”

“Family-run businesses can get hairy.” Macy shuddered, knowing that truth from experience.

Erin nodded. “I told the father that if he didn’t come home and choose, his sons would bankrupt the business in no time.” She grinned. “I’m betting Aunt Lulu gets a nice settlement and the whole thing goes away.”

Macy’s smile grew wider. “Thank you. She’ll be thrilled!”

“You’re welcome.” Erin licked the back of the fork and placed the utensil on the plate, finally full.

“Now that you’re sated . . . so to speak . . . let’s talk about what you’re going to do to get the big lug to see if you two can make a go of any sort of relationship.” Macy waggled her eyebrows.

“Not happening. He made that clear.”

“But his actions are saying something else, yes?”

Erin shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. He’s stubborn.”

“So, my friend, are you. The way I see it, you can go all in, sleep with him as long as he’s staying with you and seems interested, go through the baby thing together and hope that he sees what an amazing woman you are and what a great life he could have. Then if he doesn’t come around, you can kick him in the nuts.” Macy grinned. “Or you can give up now without ever really trying.”

Erin wasn’t a quitter. She didn’t give up when things got tough or she wouldn’t have survived law school or the bar exam. She understood she’d had it easier than many of her friends, no major drama in her life. Until now, that is, she thought, glancing down at her stomach.

“So which will it be?” Macy asked. “And decide quick, because he’s on his way over here. You in or out?”

Erin straightened her shoulders and set her jaw. “In.” She was in.

“Hello, ladies,” Nick Mancini greeted them before Cole said a word.

“Hi, Nick. How’s the wife?” Macy asked.

“Pretty damned good.” And from his wide grin, Erin figured he more than meant it.

“Which reminds me, Kate and I are having a small get-together on Sunday for family and friends. We’d love it if you two came.”

“You are?” Cole asked. “You didn’t say a word to me.”

“Because you always turn me down. But if this lov

ely lady says yes, you’ll have no choice, because you’re her shadow these days.” Nick laughed, obviously pleased with his way of thinking.

Cole’s low growl of annoyance didn’t surprise Erin, and she swallowed a chuckle. Obviously Nick knew his cousin well.

“So can I let Kate know you’ll both be there?” Nick asked.

Erin glanced at Macy. It had been so long since she’d been out with friends, just having a good time.

Her friend inclined her head and nodded. “I’d love to come.”

“Same!” Erin said excitedly, but without meeting Cole’s gaze.