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)
“Under the covers.” Turning out the light, I walk to the other side of the bed and slide beneath the cover. Forrest does the same. Anxiety rolls through me. I take a few minutes to dissect how I’m feeling. I’m tired of running and avoiding life. After a few minutes, I know the cause of my anxiety. It’s not because I’m scared. It’s because I’m nervous.
“Tell me what you need, Briar.”
“Will you hold me?”
“All night long,” he promises.
I feel the bed dip, and then his arms are around me. He kisses my shoulder. “Tomorrow, you’re coming to Sunday dinner. You and the girls. Brogan too,” he adds.
“Okay.” I don’t tell him that I already promised Emerson I would be there.
“Thank you. Night, baby.”
“Night.”
I assumed it would take me hours to fall asleep with him next to me, being my first time and all that, but his arms around me have the opposite effect. The Forrest effect, I guess, because I feel safe, relaxed, and cherished. Sleep claims me quickly.
“Mommy.” I hear a little voice.
“Mommy, Forrest is sleeping in your bed,” another little voice announces.
My eyes pop open to see the girls standing beside the bed. Their eyes are wide and curious. “Good morning.”
“Did Forty have a sleepover?” River asks.
“He did.”
“Hims could have slept with us.” Rayne pouts.
“I did sleep with you,” Forrest says. He leans over me and bops each of the girls on the nose with his index finger. “We fell asleep in our fort. When your mommy got home, I didn’t want her to be lonely, so I came to bed with her.”
River tilts her head to the side. “Aunt Brogan was probably lonely too. We should find her a friend to have a sleepover with.”
Forrest huffs out a laugh.
“Girls, why don’t you go to the living room, and we’ll be right there to make breakfast?”
“Forrest too?” Rayne asks shyly.
“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m staying.”
“Yay!” the girls cheer as they rush out of my bedroom and down the hall toward the kitchen.
“Morning, baby.”
“Hi.” I feel embarrassed, but I don’t know why.
“How did you sleep?”
“Better than I have in a long time.”
“Me too. We should do this more often. I like waking up to my girls.”
“You don’t have to stay. I can make an excuse.”
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be. Besides, you promised me breakfast, and the five of us are going to Monroe and Legend’s for Sunday dinner.”
“They’re going to tell us the gender of their baby.” I slap my hand over my mouth.
“Wait a minute. You were already going, weren’t you?”
“Sorry.” I wince.
“Come here.” He leans in, and I turn my head.
“I need to brush my teeth.”
“No, you need to kiss me. Come on, woman. Pay your penance, and we can make breakfast.”
I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no, so I lean in and press my lips to his. Who knew adult sleepovers could be so fun?
“Who lives here?” River asks as Forrest parks my car in Monroe and Legend’s driveway.
“This is Monroe and Legend’s house,” Brogan tells her. She’s sitting in the back seat with the twins. She wanted to drive separately, but I insisted she come with us. I’m not ousting my sister because I have a boyfriend.
“I don’t think I know them,” Rayne says thoughtfully.
“You’ve met them both,” I assure her.
“What are we gonna do?” River asks.
“We’re going to eat lots of good food and hang out with our friends and family,” Forrest answers her.
River gasps. “We have friends and family?”
My chest tightens. The girls have only really known Brogan and me until Emerson and Monroe brought us into the fold of their lives, and now, Forrest.
“You do,” Forrest answers her. “You ready to play with Lilly?”
“Lilly is here? We love Lilly,” Rayne replies.
“She is. Come on.” Forrest opens his door, and there is nothing left to do but follow him. He insisted he drive, and since the car seats were in my car, I compromised that we would take mine instead of his truck. He grumbled something about getting his own damn car seats. At least that’s what it sounded like.
Brogan helps the girls unbuckle, and soon we’re all striding toward the front door. Forrest doesn’t bother knocking as he turns the knob and steps inside. He offers each of the girls one of his hands, and they jump at the chance to have his attention. “Ladies.” He grins and nods at Brogan and me to go on inside.
“We’re here!” Forrest calls out once we’re all in and the door is shut behind us. He leads us down the hall to a large living room.
“We’re here too!” Rayne says, making everyone laugh.
“Come on in. Make yourselves at home,” Monroe says.
“Girls, do you want to play blocks with Lilly?” Emerson asks. She’s sitting on the floor with Lilly.
I watch as my daughters look up at Forrest for his permission. He kneels. “Do you want to play with Lilly?” he asks them. They nod. “It’s okay. Mommy, Aunt Brogan, and I will be right here.”