LOGINBailey 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 As we start passing dishes around the table, conversation flows easily.Alana immediately launches into questions about the baby."Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" she asks."It's too early to tell," I say. "We won't know for another month or two.""Are you going to find out or wait until birth?" Diana asks. She too looks excited to know.Orion and I look at each other."We haven't decided yet," I admit."I think you should wait," my grandmother says. "The surprise is half the fun.""I think you should find out," Diana counters. "How else will you know what color to paint the nursery?" She reasons.Both of them are right. Knowing Jess we get prepared, not knowing means we wait to be surprised."You could do yellow or green," Alana suggests. "They are gender-neutral colors.""Or just paint it white and add colorful decorations," Robert offers."Have you thought about names?" my grandmother asks."We have," I say.“ But we haven't made a decision yet.” Orion adds. Y
Bailey POV "Are you sure this dress still fits?" I ask for the third time, smoothing my hands over the fabric. I am nearly ten weeks pregnant and I am not showing much yet, but I swear my clothes feel tighter. Or maybe I'm just hyperaware of every little change in my body now. "You look beautiful," Orion says from where he is setting the table. "Stop worrying." "I'm not worrying," I protest. "I'm just... your entire family is coming over. Both our families, actually. And I want everything to be perfect." I don't know why I am acting like Orion on our first doctor appointment. "It will be perfect," Orion assures me, walking over to wrap his arms around me from behind. His hands settle on my stomach. It's a gesture that has become automatic for him since he learnt I was pregnant. "We're together, and we're celebrating our family. That's all that matters." I lean back into his chest, trying to absorb some of his calm. We decided to host a family dinner to properly celebrate ever
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 POVThe rest of the day passes in a blur of flour and sugar.The familiar rhythm of baking provides a welcome distraction from the morning's unexpected encounter with Fiona.I am piping frosting onto a batch of cupcakes when the bell above the door chimes."Bailey!" Mrs. Chen walks in, follo
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







