Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“How did I do anything? I wasn’t the one talking about being spanked.” He smirked down at her as she rolled her eyes.
“I think the two of you should kiss and make-up. You both got off on the wrong foot and I don’t want one of my best friends arguing with my. . . with my . . .”
“Boyfriend,” Gray supplied.
“Boyfriend,” she repeated, with color filling her cheeks. “You don’t much seem like the boyfriend type.”
“I’m not. Never been one. Will have to figure out what I’m meant to do. But I don’t intend to be your boyfriend for long.”
“Oh.” Sadness filled her eyes.
“Wow. I thought your possessive gruffness was kind of sexy and romantic,” Immy said, dropping a duffel bag on the bed. “But that wasn’t sexy or romantic.”
“I don’t intend to be your boyfriend for long. But that’s because I’m going to be your husband.”
Maeve gaped at Gray.
He didn’t just say that, right? She didn’t hear that . . . because if he did say that then he had to be insane.
I’m going to be your husband.
Whoa.
Just whoa.
“Okay . . . I take it back,” Immy squeaked.
Maeve wasn’t sure that it was romantic or terrifying.
“Does he not seem like a classic stalker?” Sampson demanded, pacing back and forth. “You can’t just declare that you’re going to marry her!”
“Why not?”
“Sampson is right,” she said hoarsely. She was settled in his lap, held securely in his arms. And it was heaven.
“What?” Gray asked with a scowl.
“I am?” Sampson said. “Yes, I mean, of course I am. I’m always right.”
Jenner snorted and Immy rolled her eyes. They were all used to Sampson thinking he was always right.
“You can’t just declare that you’re going to be my husband.”
“I can’t?” Gray’s expression didn’t falter, but Sampson and Jenner were both nodding.
Immy looked a bit disappointed. She was always such a romantic.
“No, you can’t,” she told him firmly. “You have to ask me first.”
He opened his mouth and she reached up to put her hand over it. “And you have to do in a romantic setting. Not when I’m in hospital wearing a gown with my ass flopping out for everyone to see.”
“No one better be looking at your ass,” Gray growled, reaching over for a blanket off her bed. Immy helped him settle it around her.
“No one is looking at Maeve,” Sampson muttered. “She’s our sister.”
“Sister?” Gray asked.
“We’re not blood related,” Immy said quietly. “Except for Jenner and Sampson who share a mom, but we are family.”
“We’ve been together a long time,” Maeve said. “They’re my family in every way that counts.”
“And we all look out for each other,” Jenner added. “So while some of us might seem like overprotective assholes, it’s just because Maeve means everything to us.”
Tears filled her eyes. She sniffled. “Thanks, you guys.”
“No crying!” Gray snapped, looking horrified. “You know I don’t like that, girl.”
“Sorry. Happy tears.”
He grumbled something as Immy sent her a grin.
“So, can we all be friends now?” Maeve asked, leaning into Gray’s chest. She hadn’t done anything and she felt exhausted. “Guys, Gray isn’t threatening me. He isn’t stalking me. He’s done everything he could to take care of me. And Gray, these guys are my family, so play nice, huh?”
Gray grunted. “I’ve never been good at playing nice.”
“Try? For me? I just . . . I really need you guys to calm down and get along. Please. You all mean a lot to me and I just can’t cope with you fighting each other.”
They all gave her guilty looks.
He nodded. “I’m sorry, baby. Don’t worry. We’ll get along.”
Sampson and Jenner followed suit. She wasn’t sure how long that would last, but she’d take it.
“Hey, I brought some of your clothes for you so you could get out of that gown,” Immy said brightly.
“Oh, I forgot I left some clothes here.” They all had rooms at Jenner’s place.
“I can help you get dressed,” Immy offered.
“I’ll help her,” Gray said. “But thank you.”
“Um, okay. Sure.” Immy nodded.
“How is Abe? Is he all right?”
“Yeah, they think he’ll go home soon,” Jenner said. “We’ll go get him after.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Jenner moved to the door and opened it. A young guy carrying some bags stepped in. “Food order for Gray Hawkins.”
“Yep. Set it down on the nightstand.” Gray stood and lifted her back into bed, before pulling out his wallet and handing the guy a fifty.
“Whoa. You’re a good tipper,” Immy said.
Gray just grunted as the guy left with profuse thanks.
“Look, I don’t want to be rude but Maeve is tired. I need to get her fed and put her back down for a nap.”
Oh, good Lord.
Immy sent her wide eyes. “A nap, huh?”
“Yes,” Gray said.
“What is the doctor saying about when you’ll be discharged?” Jenner asked.
“I think they’re going to decide today.”
“When Maeve is discharged, she needs to come home,” Sampson stated.