Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“Oh, before I forget, we’re doing cake and ice cream at the house for the girls next weekend. You’re all more than welcome to come. I can’t believe they’re turning four.”
“Aw, they’re such cuties.” Monroe smiles.
“What can we bring?” Emerson asks.
“Nothing. It’s just Brogan and me and the girls.” I pause, trying to decide whether I should just pull off the Band-Aid and tell them that we really only have the four of us. “Our parents have passed. Our mom, when we were babies, was killed in a car accident, and our dad, we lost him to cancer, a few days after the girls were born.” My throat swells with emotion, but I choke it back. I don’t talk about this, mostly because up until now, it’s just me, my sister, and my twin daughters.
This time of year, close to the anniversary of his death, is always more painful. As days pass, it does get easier to live with the loss of him, but there are days, like the anniversary, that the pain is so real, I could swear it just happened.
“That’s… heartbreaking,” Emerson says, her own emotion showing, not only on her face but in her tone of voice.
“Can I….” Monroe’s voice trails off as she stands and walks around the table. She stands behind Brogan and me and wraps her arms around us in a hug. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers.
“Stop hogging them.” This comes from Emerson, who moves in to take Monroe’s place and hugs us as well.
“I need in on some of that,” Maggie says. She pushes back from the table, and her arms replace Emerson’s.
“You guys are—thank you,” Brogan says, wiping a tear from her eye. She waves her hand between us. “We don’t trust easily. Life has… knocked us down, but this little group, it means so much to us. To me.”
“Me too,” I add, wiping at my tears.
Everyone goes back to their seats, and we continue with our meals. There isn’t a single awkward moment after telling them the sad tale or how Brogan and I lost our parents. My heart swells. We fit here, with these ladies, and in this town. I just hope that there are more great things to come for us.
“We’ll be there,” Monroe says. “Next weekend.”
“The girls would love to see you,” I tell her.
“What are they into?” Maggie asks.
“Oh, no gifts. Just you.” I’m quick to reply.
Maggie looks at Brogan, who is sitting next to me. “You got my number. Fill me in later, will ya?” She winks dramatically, making us all crack up with laughter.
“They’re easy, anything really. They have trucks and cars to baby dolls and Barbie dolls. They’re happy little girls who will love your company, but they’ll love any gift you were to bring too.”
“Brogan!” I scold her with a laugh.
She shrugs. “Sorry, not sorry, baby sis.”
“Two minutes.” I hold up two fingers. “You are two minutes older than me!”
“Two minutes or two seconds. You’re still my baby sister.” She sticks her tongue out at me.
I open my mouth to sass back at her, but I quickly close it when I see five gorgeous men walking our direction. “Um, ladies.” I sit up straighter in my seat and reach for my water. “I do believe girls' night is over.” Everyone turns to look at where I can’t seem to pull my gaze from.
“Baby girl,” Roman says, leaning over his wife to kiss her forehead upside down.
“What are you doing here?” she asks him.
I watch as Legend leans over and places his hand on Monroe’s belly as he kisses the corner of her mouth. What would it be like to be loved like that?
“Mom and Dad showed up and wanted some Lilly time, so I texted the guys to see if they wanted to come and grab a beer and a burger,” Roman explains.
I know I’m staring at the two couples, so I avert my gaze and my eyes collide with his.
Forrest.
He shoves his hands in his pockets and offers me a grin and a nod. He opens his mouth to speak, but Lachlan beats him to it.
“Ladies.” He winks. “Pleasure meeting you here.”
“Oh, boy, Lach is laying on the charm, or trying to.” Emerson giggles. “I better do introductions before he embarrasses himself further. This is Maggie and Brogan, and you gentlemen remember Briar. Ladies, this is my big brother, Forrest, and this is Lachlan and Maddox. They work at Everlasting Ink with Legend and Roman.” She points to her husband and Legend as she says their names.
“The pleasure is all ours,” Maddox says with a smirk before his eyes find mine. “Briar, good to see you again.”
“You too.”
“And me.” Lachlan slaps his hand to Maddox’s shoulder and winks at me.
I laugh at his antics before letting my eyes settle on Forrest. “Hey, Forrest.” I smile, keeping my voice even. His gorgeous green eyes, which are so much like his sister’s, hold me captive.