Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“I’ll remember,” I assure him, just as someone calls out, “Marco,” making us both laugh.
“That’s Lachlan.” Maddox chuckles. He kisses me one more time before lifting me from the desk and stepping away. He gives me a heated look as Lachlan appears in the doorway.
“Anyone else here?” he asks.
Maddox turns to answer him and Lachlan places his hands over his eyes. “Dude, put that thing away. Warn a guy, why don’t you?” he says, roaring with laughter.
“You’ve seen my wife, right?” Maddox asks.
My face heats, but I’m also laughing. I love the way he and his friends are so close.
“I’ve seen her. Brogan, sweetheart, if you want to know what a real man—” he starts, but Maddox interrupts him.
“Out. Get the fuck out of here,” he says, humor and something else in his tone.
“You know where to find me, Brogan.”
“My wife!” Maddox calls out as Lachlan’s laughter trails behind him down the hall.
I move to stand next to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Mine,” he says, kissing me again.
“He was messing with you.”
“I know. He’d never, you’d never, but fuck, I hate even the thought of another man touching you.”
My heart dances in my chest. Not a single day has gone by where he’s not said something that didn’t make me melt for him. I need to talk to my sister, or Emerson and Monroe. Surely, that’s not normal? But when I look for signs that he’s not sincere, I don't find any. Am I blinded by wanting him?
“Tell me when the appointment is, and I’ll be there,” he says, holding my gaze.
“Thank you.”
“Anything, Brogan. I’ll do anything for you.”
Before I can answer, more voices ring down the hall. The others are here. “Come on, let’s go celebrate you and your friends.”
He weaves his fingers through mine and leads us back to the waiting room.
Everyone is here and taking in the new space. I’m introduced to Drake and Lisa, his girlfriend, and Lyra, who are both receptionists for the shop. The girls race around and once they find the playroom, they’re addicted. Baby Kane takes it all in with a gummy smile as he’s passed from person to person who want their chance to love on him.
There is just something about babies that makes you want to snuggle them close. The day is perfect, and all five guys are on cloud nine, pride showing in each of their expressions as they share the new space with us.
After we eat, which consisted of pizza and wings, I take all three little girls back to the playroom and sit with them. Not long after, Emerson, Monroe, Briar, and Maggie join me. Maggie has Kane in her arms and refuses to let him go.
“Nope. I had to pry him out of his daddy’s arms. My turn isn’t over yet,” she says, making me laugh.
“So, how’s married life?” Monroe asks.
“Good.” I nod. “Actually, I have a question.” I look at each of them and will myself to find the courage. Taking a deep breath, I go for it. “So, you all know we’re giving this a try,” I say, referring to Maddox and me.
“We do,” all four of them answer.
“Well, he’s just—too much sometimes,” I confess.
“How do you mean?” Emerson asks.
“He says, well, the perfect things at the exact right time. Is there a manual?” I ask, only half joking. “I swear there has to be a manual.”
“What kinds of things?” Maggie asks. “I have to live vicariously through the four of you, so I need details.”
“I don’t know. I asked him to go somewhere with me, and he said, ‘Anything for you.’ It’s not just his words, but the intensity of his gaze when he says them. There are a million other instances, but that’s the only one I can come up with right now.”
“I’ve known the guys my entire life. They have been best friends since before I was born.” Emerson chuckles. “I need to remind them of that,” she adds with a twinkle in her eyes. “Anyway, I’ve been around them a lot.”
“Me too,” Monroe adds. “You know, as her bestie and all. I spent a lot of time at Forrest’s house with Em growing up.”
“They’re all good men,” Emerson says. “I can tell you with absolute certainty if anything comes out of their mouth, and they’re being serious and not joking around, it’s the truth, and you can bank on it.”
“Em’s right. They like to joke around and tease a lot, but when they’re serious, they mean what they say. You can trust him, Brogan,” she says gently.
“Trust is hard for me.” They know about that night all those years ago, but we don’t talk about it much. I hear Susan’s voice in my head telling me maybe I should.
“Where did you ask him to go with you?” Briar asks.