The Road to Rose Bend by Naima Simone (best book club books of all time txt) 📕

“What are you doing here? I can’t believe this. The last time we saw each other you were ready to blow out of here without ever looking back. I can’t—holy shit, babe!” Cherrie breathed, her endless stream of words ending on a gasp. “You’re pregnant? Congratulations!” Cherrie tugged Sydney close for another hug. “Girl or boy?”

Sydney shook her head, grinning, her head whirling from Cherrie’s rapid-fire words. “A girl.”

“Hold on.” She released Sydney and hustled back behind the booth. A glance around revealed that several pairs of eyes, male and female, watched the other woman, with more than a little lust. Not that Sydney could blame them. What Cherrie did for low-rise jeans should either be illegal or canonized. “Here. A gift for your little girl.”

Sydney stared down at the dainty, child-sized bracelet. The silver gleamed, and the tiny flowers, leaves and vines etched into the metal exhibited the artist’s talent and attention to detail.

“Cherrie,” she whispered, running a fingertip over the engraving. “It’s stunning. I can’t take—”

“You will,” Cherrie ordered, slipping the jewelry into a plastic sleeve and handing it to Sydney. “My welcome-home gift—although I’mma still need that story—and I would be honored if your baby’s first piece of jewelry came from me,” she added softly.

“Thank you, Cherrie.” She squeezed the other woman’s hand. “I love it, and I’ll make sure my little girl does, too.”

“Don’t be surprised if I turn up with more, now that I know you’re back. Besides, we’ll be seeing more of each other since I’ve made Rose Bend my home base when I’m not traveling.”

Sydney studied her friend’s cheeky grin with narrowed eyes. Then she grinned, too. Widely. “It’s a man, isn’t it?”

Cherrie rolled her eyes, sighing loudly. “Isn’t it always?”

“I’d like to think it’s also my sharp wit and sparkling personality,” a deep, rumbling voice said from behind Sydney.

A smile so bright it was almost blinding lit up Cherrie’s face. Sydney pivoted, and cranked her head back to meet the ice-blue eyes of a giant. A gorgeous giant. She blinked. Wow.

“I know, babe.” Cherrie snickered. “I had the same reaction.”

The man, who might have edged out even Cole and Wolf in height, squeezed between the booths and pushed into Cherrie’s to sweep her up into a tight embrace. His head lowered, his auburn hair mingling with Cherrie’s darker curls. Though he just brushed his lips over hers, Sydney almost had to fan herself from the heat these two threw off.

And if an emotion that felt suspiciously close to envy crept inside her like an uninvited intruder, well... Her joy for Cherrie’s obvious happiness counterbalanced it.

“I think I just got pregnant,” Leo whispered, and Sydney smothered a laugh.

Finally, the two separated and Cherrie turned to Sydney and Leo, but still remained glued to her man’s side. “Maddox, let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Sydney Collins. And this is...” Cherrie shook her head, her lips curving into a rueful smile. “You must think I’m so damn rude. I’m sorry I didn’t even catch your name.”

“Leontyne,” Leo offered with a chuckle. “But most everyone around here calls me Leo. And I already know your guy here. Hey, Maddox.”

“Leo.” He nodded, then switched his attention to Sydney. “Nice to meet you, Sydney. We might not have met, but I’ve heard about you.”

“Of course you have,” Sydney said, and not defensive about it this time.

Maddox shrugged a huge shoulder. “Small towns,” he supplied in way of explanation. And really, it was all that was needed. “I run Road’s End, the bar at the edge of town. When you come by, first round’s on the house.” His eyes dipped to her stomach, her bump more visible in her long, strapless, forest green maxi dress. “The round will be cranberry juice, but still. Free.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it, Maddox. And it’s awesome to meet you.”

“Ooh, we need to make this happen while I’m still in town,” Cherrie pronounced. “A girls’ night! And don’t worry.” She leaned forward and patted Sydney’s hand. “Leo and I will handle your share of the booze.”

Leo sighed. “It’s the least I can do for a friend.”

“You’re all heart,” Sydney murmured, arching an eyebrow. “Let’s make it happen.”

Several moments later, she hugged Cherrie goodbye, and Sydney and Leo continued through the stalls, finally locating Cecille. Wolf, with Cecille’s cold beer, rounded out their small group.

For the next few hours, they enjoyed great food, wonderful music and even more wonderful company. Sydney couldn’t remember the last time she’d had as much fun as she had with these women and their laid-back guardian. Even when Wolf left to man his booth so he could relieve his help—a teen named Trevor, Leo had informed her—they still remained together until the sun sank and stars—that wouldn’t have been visible in Charlotte—glittered in the night sky. As one of her favorite bands from the ’90s took the stage and sang about only wanting to be with you, she danced along with her friends, laughing and throwing every worry to the wind along with her arms and hands.

“Aw shit,” Leo grumbled.

Sydney peered over at her friend, frowning, concerned. “What’s up? You okay?”

“Yeah,” Leo muttered. “And no. Incoming.”

Slowly, Sydney lowered her arms and turned, a kernel of dread burrowing into her chest. One glance in the direction Leo scowled, and that kernel bloomed, pressing against her rib cage.

Jenna Landon. With a girl crew of three behind her, including Karina, the woman who’d been with her in the ice cream shop the week before.

Hell.

“I swear, I don’t hate anyone. Her included,” Leo muttered. “But if she was on fire and I had a glass of water, I’d drink it—Hi, Jenna,” Leo greeted the slender redhead as she neared them.

“Hi, Leontyne,” Jenna purred, stepping forward and gathering Leo in a hug as if she hadn’t just seen her the week before in the ice cream shop. Leo returned it with a lackluster pat on the back. And mouthing “help me” to Sydney with wide eyes.

Sydney