Page 117 of Strong and Wild

I’ve been chatting with one of the women I met at the ad agency. She’s an executive assistant to one of the chief officers. When I called to send out an invite, she and I lost track of time chatting. She’s very interested in supporting women-owned businesses, and I am flattered she’s taken such an interest and has done so much to spread the word about Sugar & Ice to the leadership over there.

“It was about a year altogether. It’s been quite an adventure. Oh! I want to introduce you to my friend, Birdie. Birdie, get over her!”

“Birdie, this is Raleigh. Raleigh this is Birdie. Raleigh works over at Method Marketing.”

“Oh! Micky told me about you. You have made quite the impression on her. You’ll have to come out for drinks with us sometime. Well, drinks for you, I’m due in August, so I’ll be designated driver,” Birdie explains.I’m so excited to be the godmother!

“Congratulations! Do you know what you’re having?” Raleigh asks.

“A boy, but we haven’t thought about names yet.”

“Boys are great. I have a four-year old son, Arthur. I promised I would bring him home some of your desserts, Micky. Not sure how many will actually make it all the way home, though.”

“I already put together a box for you, just tell them your name by the register before you leave tonight.” I nudge Birdie. “Looks like the rest of the boys are finally arriving.” I nod to the entrance doors.

“God, they are always late,” she mutters and then holds her arm in the air so he can spot us.

“You’re so sweet to set something aside for me, thank you!”

“Lonan!” Birdie shouts. He makes eye contact and heads in our direction. He’s looking at Birdie like she’s one of the items on the patisserie menu.

Raleigh turns to follow our gaze at the front door where Sully and Conway are shaking hands with the bouncer. When she spins back to face us, her face is pale, and she looks like she’s seen a ghost.

“Girl, are you feeling okay?”

“Actually... um... I’m so sorry. All this talk about kids reminded me I was supposed to get back to the babysitter like twenty minutes ago. I gotta run.” She grabs her purse an backs up. “Congrats on the soft open, this place is amazing! It was so good to meet you, Birdie.”

“Don’t forget your—” She’s already slipping out the door before I can remind her to get the box of pastries.

Well, that was fucking weird.

RHYS

She’s a force, working the room like a champ. The place is packed, and there’s a line out around the block. I never doubted her for a second, but neither of us anticipated a crowd like this. Her smile is contagious, but behind that grin she’s exhausted.

“You look great out there. How are you holding up?”

“I’m beat.” She leans forward to rest her head against my shoulder. “You know what the best part of being the owner is?”

“What’s that.”

“Getting to leave whenever I want. I love my staff, they know what they’re doing, and if anything goes wrong, I can always come back downstairs and handle it.”

I chuckle and give her a squeeze. “Finish what you gotta do, then meet me upstairs.”

While building Sugar & Ice, we remodeled the upstairs loft as well.We were already used to living above a bar, why not live above our own?

I strip off my clothes and run a bath for us. It’s become a ritual for us after a rough day.Or rough sex.After setting towels on the side of the tub, I climb inside. When she enters, her features soften, and she lays a hand over her heart. “Oh my God, you’re the best. This is exactly what I need. My feet are killing me.”

I never get tired of watching my wife strip down for me.My wife.We opted for a small elopement in Hawaii.

Freya settles into the hot water and reaches up to wrap her arms around the back of my neck. I nuzzle into her shoulder and leave a trail of kisses. She releases a soft moan. We soak in the still silence, enjoying the first peaceful moments of the day.

“It’s so quiet,” I comment.

“It is.”

“Wanna make a bet on who makes noise first?”

THE END