Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

“I’m sorry, okay? I just didn’t know how to tell you that my boobs tried to kill me. It’s not the easiest conversation starter.”

Mya puts a shaky hand to her chest. “You said seven years ago?”

“And five years ago. It came back,” I remind her softly.

Suddenly she gasps. “That time you had to go out of town. When you said you were getting a boob job–“

“It was a boob job. Technically. Just not the kind you thought. I had a tumor removed. And some radiation.”

With every word Mya’s face falls further. Then she hurtles herself into my arms. I hug her back, overwhelmed with how lucky I am to have friends who love me this much.

Casey wipes her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I give her a hug, too.

The guys are watching with that awkward energy men always have when they don’t want to get emotional. To be honest, all the estrogen in the room is making me a little lightheaded too so I decide it’s time for cake.

Vin comes over and kisses my forehead. “You okay, baby?”

I nod. It’s time to clear some of the depressing vibes from this room.

“Okay, I can’t handle all this sappiness. Come on, guys. It’s time to eat my I beat cancer cake!”

I retrieve it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Then I place it in the center of the card table I set up just for this purpose. They all gather round.

Andre sees it first and clamps his lips together, trying not to laugh. When Casey stands on tiptoe to see what he’s looking at, her mouth falls open.

The cake I got at the bakery the prior day has been wrapped in brown paper while it was in the refrigerator. I didn’t want to scandalize anyone on the street while I was walking to my car. Also, I figured Vin deserved to be surprised just like everyone else.

It’s shaped like two huge boobs. The nipples are made with little red candies. It says Suck It Cancer! in pink icing.

Mya gasps. “Ari!”

I shrug. “It’s my party and I’ll have ta-ta cake if I want to!”

Once we’ve cut pieces and handed them out, the mood in the room lifts considerably. Someone turns the music back on and before long Casey and Andre are dancing like they think they’re alone.

Those two still have big honeymoon energy.

Mya and I are talking in the kitchen when Vin comes in. He’s looking at me in that way that promises dirty things later.

She elbows me. “I know that look. I’m getting out of the line of fire.” She goes to join her husband on the couch.

And then I’m in Vin’s arms.

My favorite place to be.

He kisses the top of my head. “When I told you to be sensitive, I must admit I wasn’t expecting a song and dance.”

“You know me. Never a dull moment.”

His eyes shine. “This may be a bit insensitive but how soon can we kick them out? I want to be alone with you.”

I splutter with laughter. “We invited them here!”

Then he licks his lips and all I can think of is that deliciously dirty mouth. It’s an actual ache that sets up camp right between my thighs.

“Vin? You have to stop looking at me like that,” I whisper.