LOGINOrion He is being trapped, I can see that but the guy is so clueless. Nothing is saving him from Bailey's wrath."That's not…" Marcus starts but Bailey interrupts him."That's exactly what you did," she snaps."You had six months to treat her right and to be honest about your feelings. You had all that time to show her she meant more to you than just convenient sex. You didn't, so why should I help you now?" She asks.I've never seen Bailey this angry, this protective. It reminds me of the fierce determination she showed when she was taking down Nolan."Because I love her," Marcus says, and the words seem to cost him something. "I love her, and I was an idiot.All I need is the chance to make it right." He replies."You love her," Bailey repeats skeptically. She doesn't believe it.“ It's funny how you couldn't say that to her face.""I know," Marcus says. "I know I fucked up. I know I should have said it weeks ago, months ago. But I'm saying it now. I love Talia, and I can't lose he
Orion POV"You're doing it wrong," Bailey says, watching me attempt to pipe frosting onto a cupcake."How can I be doing it wrong?" I protest. "I'm literally just squeezing the bag."I have watched her countless times and that's how she does it."You're squeezing too hard," Bailey says, trying not to laugh.“Your hand position is all wrong. Here, let me show you again."She adds, coming up behind me and wrapping her arms around mine and guiding my hands with hers."Apply gentle pressure," she instructs. "And keep the tip at a consistent angle. Like this."Together, we pipe a perfect swirl of frosting onto the cupcake."See?" Bailey says. "That's perfect.""That was all you," I point out."Then pay attention this time," she says, stepping back. "Try another one."It's Saturday morning and we're at Sweet beginnings.Bailey insisted she needed to catch up on some baking for next week's orders, and I refused to let her come alone."You're pregnant," I'd said when she protested. "You shoul
Bailey When Talia asks that, I can't help but think about my own journey.From learning about Nolan’s betrayal to Merton with Orion and falling in love.The pain of thinking I'd lost Orion, the agony of pretending to be with Nolan, the fear that I'd destroyed everything."I don't know exactly when," I admit. "But it does. Little by little, day by day, it gets easier.Then one day you'll realize you went a whole hour without thinking about him. Then a whole day and eventually, you'll be okay." I explain."What if he comes back?" Talia asks quietly. "If he shows up again and says the right things this time?""Then you'll have a decision to make," I say. "But Talia? Don't settle or go back to someone who only wants you when it's convenient. You deserve someone who wants all of you, all the time. Someone who's willing to fight for you." That's what I learnt after one failed relationship to finding love again."Like Orion fought for you," Talia asks and I nod."Like Orion fought for me,
Bailey POVI make it to Talia's apartment in fifteen minutes instead of twenty, breaking at least three traffic laws in the process.Orion tried to come with me, but I told him this was a girls-only situation. He understood immediately, kissed my forehead, and told me to call if I needed anything.God, I love that man.So here I am, carrying a bag with two pints of Ben & Jerry's, a bottle of wine for Talia and sparkling cider for me.There is an assortment of chocolate from the bakery's emergency stash.When I knock on Talia's door, it takes a full minute before she answers.When she does, my heart breaks.Her eyes are red and swollen, mascara streaked down her cheeks.She's wearing old sweats and one of those oversized hoodies that swallows her whole frame."Oh, honey," I say, immediately pulling her into a hug.Talia collapses against me, and I feel her body shake with fresh sobs."I've got you," I murmur, holding her tight. "I've got you."After a moment, I guide her inside and clo
Marcus's head snaps up, his eyes meeting mine. He looks at me as if I just insulted him which maybe I have but…I don't fucking care."That's not fair." He finally says, sounding wronged."Isn't it?" I challenge.“ In the six months of whatever we were doing, you never once took me on a real date. You never introduced me to your friends. Never spent the night at my place or invited me to yours for anything other than sex. So forgive me if I'm skeptical about what exactly you're missing." I reveal."Talia…" Marcus calls, probably ready to argue or reason with me.I am not having it today though."No," I interrupt. "I'm done being whatever you needed me to be whenever you needed it. I'm done being convenient. I'm done pretending that what we had was enough when it clearly wasn't.” I declare.At least not for me." I add in a small voice."What do you want from me?" Marcus asks, and he sounds genuinely confused. Like he can't comprehend why casual sex wasn't enough to keep me happy."I wa
Talia POVI'm exhausted by the time I leave Sweet beginnings.Bailey insisted I didn't need to stay the entire day helping reorganize the storage room, but I wanted to. No, I needed to. I needed anything to keep my mind occupied and away from thoughts of Marcus.It's been two weeks since I ended things with him.Two weeks since I submitted my resignation letter to HR.Two weeks of deliberately avoiding his calls, his texts and his attempts to corner me at the office during my notice period.Thank God that notice period ended yesterday.Now I'm officially unemployed and helping Bailey at the bakery while I figure out my next move. It's not ideal…I have a degree in marketing, not baking…but at least it's something. At least I don't have to see Marcus's face every day, pretending we're just professional colleagues when we both know exactly what we were.What we were. That's the past tense.I remind myself of that as I pull into my apartment building's parking garage.It's over, I e
Bailey POV I hadn't thought about it that way but now that Talia has mentioned it, I think she is somehow right."You really think he would do that?" I ask."I know he would." Talia squeezes my hand. "Bailey, Nolan has already shown you who he is. He leaked your grandma's private information just
Orion POVI can't stop smiling.It's probably obvious to everyone in the locker room, but I don't care. How am I supposed to keep a straight face when every time I close my eyes, all I see is Bailey…the way she looked beneath me, the sounds she made, the way she said my name?Last night was perfect
Bailey POVAfter leaving Orion's home, I make my way to my apartment. Talia is not home,probably still with Marcus or at work so I change my clothes and head to the bakery.The drive to Sweet Beginnings feels surreal. I'm still buzzing from the night and of course the morning with Orion. The pleasa
Bailey"So don't," I whisper against his ear. "Take me right here in the hallway." I say, my mouth hovering dangerously at his lips. His hot breath fans my cheeks and excitement floods me,my pussy walls clenching and spasming.He groans but keeps walking. "Not for your first time with me. You deser







