Page 7 of Sloane

Baking helped soothe my anxiety, so I’d gotten to work last night. I’d seen a Pinterest post and thought the patriotic-themed cupcakes had been a cute idea, so I made a batch. Now I was second-guessing the decision to bring them, along with every other choice I’d made about attending today.

I’m just welcoming a friend home, I reminded myself as I shut the car door with my hip. I’ll thank him for his service and be on my way.

Following the crowd to a big hangar on the airstrip, I found everyone in attendance to be all-smiles. There were signs and balloons welcoming loved ones home. Some women, especially the younger ones, were in tight dresses and heels. Their hair and makeup perfect as they waited for their men to come home to them.

I glanced down at my tan and turquoise paisley tunic dress and hoped it didn’t look like I was trying too hard. The wide brown leather belt emphasized my slender waist, while the surplice neck subtly showcased my C-cup breasts. The matching brown leather knee-high boots made me feel like a boss-bitch, which was part of the reason I’d chosen them. I needed all the help I could get in the confidence department.

I’d used a round brush on my long, thick, brown hair when I dried it that morning, so it was smooth as it hung loose around my shoulders. My blonde highlights were still fresh after a salon visit last week.

I’d almost put on the foundation that covered my birthmark, but for the same reasons I’d sent Sloane a candid picture without the concealer, I’d opted against it.

Catching a glimpse of my cleavage under the dress, I thought, at least I have amazing boobs.

I might have a butterface, but I had to admit, I had a nice, athletic body.

Looking around the steel building and cement floors, I noticed a golden retriever sitting regally among a group of people around my age. The pup looked like he was fresh from the groomer, and he was beautiful. He must have felt the excitement in the air because it looked like he was smiling along with everyone else while his tail wagged a slow, steady rhythm.

Is that Tank?

Knowing how much Sloane loved his dog, it would make sense that they bring him.

I immediately recognized the man holding Tank’s leash from the light internet stalking I’d done of people who’d been tagged in Sloane’s photos.

From what I could gather, Ryan was a firefighter and had been in more than one of their charity calendars. When I’d been doing my internet sleuthing and saw the pictures of him oiled up, holding an axe and a puppy, I’d grumbled, “Pfft, probably photoshopped.”

Nope, not photoshopped.

The man was as good-looking in person as he was in the pictures. That didn’t bode well for my hope that the Marine I was waiting to meet wasn’t really as gorgeous in real life, and that his photos had been altered with a filter.

I had also seen the handsome, broad-chested man standing on the other side of Ryan on Sloane’s social media. Craig Baxter. I had gotten the impression from something in the pictures that he was a cop. Seeing him in-person with his aviator sunglasses and ramrod-straight posture, I’d bet money on it. The beautiful woman he had his arm around was Maddie Monroe.

The tall blonde woman next to Maddie was Grace Ericson. When I’d been looking at the photos on Sloane’s Instagram, I’d recognized her immediately from the San Diego gossip pages and had wondered where she fit in Sloane’s social circle. The way she quickly looked away when she caught Ryan watching her told me there was more to that story.

There were a few other men and women with them. One woman with long, light-brown hair stood out. I remembered seeing her cozied up against Sloane’s side in pictures from what had looked like a pool party. I remembered because Sloane hadn’t had a shirt on in most of the photos, so I may have studied them for a while.

Was she Sloane’s girlfriend?

It would make sense; she was as gorgeous as Sloane. They’d make the perfect couple.

See? It wasn’t stalking. It was research so I’d be prepared for today.

For what felt like the hundredth time since I pulled onto the base, I asked myself, what am I doing here?

Welcoming home a friend. I promised my pen pal I’d be here, that’s all.

As I tentatively approached, I held the platter of cupcakes in front of me like a shield. Ryan cocked his head, as if he wondered who I was and what I wanted, then a look of realization spread across his face, and he took a step toward me with a smile and outstretched hand.

“You must be Ashley!”

I adjusted my hold on the platter and shifted my purse so I could offer my hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

Grace stepped forward and said, “Here, let me take that!” She glanced at the cupcakes. “Oh my god, these are adorable! Mads, come look at these!”

The other woman came over, “Oh wow! Can I try one?”

“Yes, of course, I made them for everyone.”

The rest eyed me with curiosity while Maddie removed the liner from the bottom of the cupcake, then looked at me before taking a bite and asked what everyone was probably wondering. “How do you know Sloane?”