Every Way (Brush of Love 4)

Hailey and I watched as he walked up to Anna and embraced her tightly.

“Long time no see,” Anna said. “How have you been?”

“Good. The parlor’s going well. Got steady business and even a few inkers who work out of the shop for me as well.”

“That’s awesome. I thought you didn’t want to take on any employees,” Anna said.

“Eh, things change, I guess,” Drew said.

“That they do,” Anna said.

“How are things with your business?” Drew asked.

“They’re going really well. I don’t know if you heard, but I’m working at the same foundation as Bryan now.”

“I heard something about that,” Drew said, grinning. “Are you enjoying it?”

“I love it. Ellen’s really given me the capacity to do what I want and help people I’ve always wanted to help with my law degree.”

“Well, let’s go get some food, and we can talk about it some more,” Drew said.

Things were already going well as we trickled into the club. We got a booth toward the back so the music wouldn’t be so loud and promptly ordered some food. I was snuggled up to Hailey, and Drew was sitting closer to Anna than either of them realized, and we watched as the two of them went back and forth with their conversation. Anna talked about the foundation and her new project for the summer, and Drew talked about all the milestones he’d already hit with the parlor. Anna asked him about whether he was going to branch out into piercings or things like that, and Drew asked Anna if she was still singing.

The two of them were talking as if time hadn’t passed between them at all, and it made me smile watching the two of them settle back into enjoying one another.

It was a nice change of pace from what Hailey and I had been experiencing lately. I felt relaxed, Hailey’s smile was genuine, and everyone was happy without reservation. The stresses from work were quickly fading into the background, and the conversation flowed easily. The food was phenomenal, and the music was even better. I took in all the positivity surrounding us as I pulled Hailey close to my side, and soon Drew was offering his hand to Anna to dance.

Anna smiled as she took his hand, and the two headed to the dance floor.

“It’s about damn time,” Hailey said.

“Look at how happy they are together,” I said.

“I’m glad we didn’t miss this. Thanks for shitting on my plan,” she said.

“I’ll shit on anything anytime,” I said.

Hailey giggled, pressing herself deeper into me as her hand slid up my thigh. I loved it when she massaged my legs. Underneath a table or while we were sitting on the couch. It was this mindless ministration thing. It was almost like she didn’t know she was doing it. It was just something that came to her naturally. It was natural for her hands to want to touch me.

I loved that and so much more about her.

I watched as Drew and Anna danced. Drew twirled her around, and Anna was laughing. He pulled her in close, and Anna leaned her head against his cheek. With all the dark clouds of my mother and Hailey hiding stuff from me again, it was nice to simply be in the moment, to take in the beauty of a budding relationship and simmer in the breadth of our own. I closed my eyes and pressed a kiss to Hailey’s hair, feeling her hand creeping higher on my thigh. I dre

w in a deep breath as my leg began to jiggle, her touch shooting electricity through my veins.

“If you’re not careful, we might have to end this party early,” I said.

“Oh, sorry,” Hailey said. “I didn’t realize I’d gone that far up.”

“You don’t need to stop. You just have a certain effect on me.”

“Even with me seven months pregnant?”

I tilted her gaze up toward mine before I captured her lips. They tasted like ketchup and french fries and like the soda she had allowed herself to drink. She tasted like the love I had for her and the warmth that blanketed my body every night. I swiped my tongue against her lips, begging for entrance as she willingly let me in.

She melted into me, her breasts pressing into my strong form.

“Especially seven months pregnant,” I said.