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)
“Briar.” He nods.
Is it just me or is his voice husky? Whatever it is, it's sexy and has me shifting in my chair.
“We need a bigger table,” Maddox says.
“What?” Emerson and Monroe reply at the same time.
“Nope. No. Not happening.”
“This is girls’ night,” Monroe chimes in.
“I love ladies' night,” Lachlan retorts.
“Lachlan!” Emerson scolds. She turns in her chair to look over her shoulder at her husband. “Rome.” That’s all she says—his name—and he nods, before leaning down to press a gentle, or at least it looks gentle, kiss to her lips.
“We can push that table over,” Maggie speaks up. She’s looking at Lachlan, Maddox, and Forrest like they are her next meal.
“There’s room,” Brogan adds.
“Really?” Emerson asks, defeated.
“This won’t be our last girls’ night,” Monroe tells her. “They’re here. We might as well let them stay. You know they’re just going to be sitting here somewhere watching us, anyway.”
“Fine,” Emerson grumbles. Roman leans down and whispers something in her ear, making her smile.
The next thing I know, tables are being moved, and chairs are being added. I don’t know how it happens, but Forrest ends up sitting next to me, with Brogan on my other side. Lachlan is next to her, and Maddox is next to Maggie. Roman and Legend help their wives stand and pull them onto their laps.
“That’s better,” Legend says, kissing Monroe’s neck.
“Thanks for letting us join you. It would have been boring watching those two stare at their lady loves all night,” Lachlan tells us.
“You’re just jealous,” Roman tells him. “One day you’ll get it, and I can’t wait to watch it happen.”
“Forever isn’t for all of us,” Lachlan tells him. “Some of us still like variety.”
“Oh, we have plenty of variety,” Emerson speaks up.
“Em!” Forrest groans. “Just no.”
Emerson giggles, while Roman seems to wrap his arms around her a little tighter. “You do want more nieces and nephews, right?” she asks her brother.
“I don’t want to hear about the process,” he groans. “Besides, hold off and let a guy catch up, huh?”
“Are you in the running?” she asks him.
“No, but one day.” He points his finger at her. “One day I will be.” He nods as if he’s certain it will happen.
To have that kind of confidence. “You want kids?” I blurt the question, despite the answer being obvious.
“Yes.” There isn’t a single ounce of hesitation in his answer.
“What about you?” I raise my eyes and point my question to Maddox.
He shrugs. “Yeah, one day.”
“You’re not getting any younger, Mad,” Legend reminds him.
“It will happen if and when it’s meant to happen.”
I lean over Brogan and focus on Lachlan. “And you?”
“I’m sure someday, but not right now.”
“Again, not getting any younger,” Legend reminds him.
“Bro, you act like we’re in our fifties. Since when is early thirties too old to have kids?”
“I’m just saying,” Legend replies, “you don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I second that,” Roman agrees.
“Fine, what about you?” Lachlan asks me. “More kids?”
“I’d love to have more, but I don’t know if that will even happen for me.”
He gives me a curious look, but that’s all I’m going to say about the matter. Now is not the time to drop more truth bombs on the group.
“And you?” he asks my sister.
“If it never happens for me, I have River and Rayne.”
“But do you want them?” Maddox asks.
“Yeah, but I don’t know if that will even happen for me.” She repeats my answer, and we get curious looks.
“What about you?” Maddox asks Maggie.
“Definitely. As soon as I find a man who’s willing to stick around and be there for all of it, I’m in. I’ve only found losers who want sex and nothing more up to this point.”
“Assholes,” Maddox mutters.
“What about us?” Emerson asks.
“We already know the four of you are all about reproducing.” Lachlan laughs.
“We’re good at it,” Roman replies cockily. Legend raises his hand for Roman to give him a high-five. They slap hands, and we all laugh.
“Lilly is great,” I agree with him.
“So are your girls.”
“Thank you. I told the ladies earlier that we’re having cake and ice cream for the twins next weekend for their birthday. Nothing big, but Lilly is more than welcome.”
“Just Lilly?” Maddox places his hand over his heart. “I’m offended.” He juts out his bottom lip just like the twins do when they're pouting, but somehow, he manages to make it look hot.
“You’re welcome to come,” I tell him.
He nods. “What time? You know what, maybe I should get your number just in case I need directions?”
I feel Forrest stiffen next to me. I smile at Maddox. “All the ladies know how to reach me.”
“It’s like that, is it?” he asks, crossing his muscled, tattooed arms over his chest.
“Leave her alone,” Legend tells him.
Maddox winks at me, and I shake my head. There’s a smile on my face I couldn’t hide, even if I wanted to. I like these people.