Page 17 of You Keep On Giving

And I fucked her son on his kitchen counter top last night! Then took him downstairs and rode his face until we both came. Did I somehow betray my relationship with Bea by doing what I did with York?

Would Bea be happy to know we’re together? Are we together? I know we agreed that we didn’t want to keep it a secret but did he just mean he was going to tell his family about what happened between us?

Holy ravioli, this is a mess. I don’t need to put myself through this right now. No, I won’t know anything until York and I can have a conversation and that’s not happening right now.

Time to shower.

I eventually pull myself out of my bed and gather up clothes for the day, crossing the game room to the bathroom. While in the shower, I think of how I had planned to make an extra dessert for tonight’s dinner. It’s still possible to whip something up today, but I’ll have limited options. The oven will be in use, so it’d have to be something no-bake or that can be made on the stove-top.

Ingredients might be limited as well. I’m unsure how well stocked York typically keeps his fridge but I imagine he’s emptied it out to make space for the caterer he hired. Maybe I’ll plan to make something later this week. It’s not possible for me to go to the store today anyways.

Debating the merits of the desserts I know Bea loves—and which I think would be the best crowd pleaser—gets me through my shower, my skincare routine, and getting dressed for the day. It’s almost enough to get myself out of my head and this whole York situation. That is until I start up the stairs and my thighs spasm from the extra use of last night.

It’s fine, the only thing is now my face is flushed as I climb the steps—not from exertion, just from the flashes of last night that hit every time I feel a small tweak. Thankfully, Bea is the only one who would notice the change, but unfortunately, she’s also not afraid to say something. Bea loves figuring out a mystery and she especially loves to tease me.

I can hear Bea telling someone that all the side dishes will still need to be cooked. That’s perfect, I can help with that. One deep breath to find some strength and I turn the corner, a smile on my face. “Good morning, everyone!” My eyes scan the room, taking in everyone.I see York sitting next to Bea but I don’t let my gaze linger.

“Morning, Sage. Here, let me help you.” Reese jumps up and makes his way to me, a cute smile on his face. I can feel my smile falter ever so slightly. Maybe York wasn’t exaggerating about Reese’s possible interest.

Shit, I hope it’s not noticeable.

“Great, thanks.” Instead of meeting me at the breakfast bar, Reese walks to me and rests his hand on my shoulder blade, guiding me to where the remains of breakfast are waiting for me.

Reese takes it upon himself to load my plate up as well. Which is nice but I’m a grown woman with fully functioning appendages. Don’t get me wrong, I love a little chivalry every now and again, but I have a hard time letting a man do things for me that I’m fully capable of handling myself, like getting food on my plate.

It’s not the most reasonable reaction but it’s probably because of my parents and their beliefs on how a woman should act around an eligible bachelor.

Fucking gag.

No, I won’t let thoughts of my out of touch misogynistic family ruin today. Reese is sweet and it’s not his fault that I’m not interested. In truth, even if York wasn’t in the picture, Reese looks too much like his mother for me to consider anything except friendship and I haven’t confirmed but I think I’m a few years older than him. Which really isn’t that big of a deal since we are both consenting adults, but it’s another factor to consider.

If I was considering, which I’m not.

I’m Team York and plan to be riding the York train hard for as long as he’ll let me. Literally and figuratively.

15

YORK

I’m wondering for the first time in my life if I really need two younger brothers. Surely coordinating holidays would be easier with one less person’s schedule to work around. He better not lower than fucking hand. “Don’t they look cute together?” My mother’s whispered words startle me and I’m barely able to keep the snarl off my face.

“What? Who? Reese and Sage? No!” No. No, no, no. I need to get her mind off that pairing right now. “I’m pretty sure Reese mentioned a girl on the farm he’s working at.” That’s a lie.

A lie that will hopefully interest Mother enough to steer her attention away from the possibility of Sage and Reese together. Reese doesn’t love to discuss his personal life, always redirecting the conversation to his work or turning the questions on to others.

“Oh?” Mother turned her gaze to me, a sly smile on her face and a quirked eyebrow showing she might just pick up what I was putting down.

Please take the bait.

I cough to avoid saying anything else, instead taking a sip of my orange juice as Sage and Reese rejoin us at the table. I nod and widen my eyes, conveying that I can’t say more. Mother shoots me a wink which does not necessarily convince me she’s taking my lie at face value.

For a brief moment I let myself take in Sage, though I know I can’t let my gaze linger. She’s so beautiful. This keeping quiet is already annoying. I want to pull her into my lap and cuddle her as close to my body as possible while she eats her breakfast.

Maybe one day.

Hopefully one day soon.

“Is there anything I can do to help with dinner prep today?” Sage’s sweet voice is slightly muffled by her hand covering her mouth, making sure no food attempts to make an escape while the group chats. Reese opens his mouth to respond but, of course, Mother is the first to speak up.