Her Wilde Marines (Wilde, Nevada 4)

“You have no idea, sweetheart.” Adam leaned back and rubbed his chin, a sure sign he thought he was about to win a date with Emma. “What will your new boss think if we refuse to go on camera this morning?”

“That’s blackmail, Adam Taylor.”

“Bane and I want to go on a date with you, Emma. We will resort to whatever is necessary to get that chance.”

“You might as well give up, Em. Adam sure isn’t going to. And neither am I. One date. That’s all.” But he knew one date with her would never be enough. Still, it was a start.

“Guys, can’t we just be friends?”

He wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “Friends go to breakfast together, don’t they?”

“I suppose they do.”

Winking, he asked, “Then your answer is…?”

“Fine. Breakfast.” Her surrender was one of the sweetest he’d ever received. “Just breakfast. Okay?”

Before he or Adam could answer, Alex came through the swinging doors.

“I’m a dad. I have the most beautiful daughter in the world. She looks like her amazing mother.”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Bane turned to Adam. “We’re uncles, bro.”

Adam slapped him on the back. “Yes we are.”

Shelby and Grace Madelyn Champion are doin

g great.” The new father looked happier than Bane had ever seen him before. “We’ll have my new baby girl in the nursery in about fifteen minutes.”

Emma smiled. “Congratulations, guys.”

Caught up in the happy moment, Bane pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight. “I am an uncle. Wow.”

“Don’t forget about me. I’m an uncle, too.” Adam kissed Emma on the cheek. “It’s a big job, but don’t you think me and my brother will be good at it?”

She laughed. “You two will be the best uncles on the planet.”

“Emma, make sure nobody moves a muscle.” Mac held up her hand. “You’re all going to be on KINK’s morning show.”

* * * *

Emma sat between Bane and Adam at the diner named after her mother. The new owner hadn’t changed a thing, which pleased her very much. Norma’s held a million good memories for her. She’d grown up here. Her mom started her and her sisters at very young ages washing dishes and busing tables. Emma smiled remembering a food fight with her sisters when her mom had stepped out for a moment. They’d had to clean up the place fast before their mother returned.

What ever happened to my sisters? Samantha and Lily had been so different when they were younger.

“Want some more coffee, Em?” Bane’s thoughtfulness was sweet. He and Adam had been so attentive.

“No. I’m stuffed.” She looked at her empty plate. “I can’t believe I ate so much. I sure have missed King Cakes.” King Cakes were actually fluffy pancakes that had been named years ago after an unscheduled stop by Elvis Presley to town. She glanced over at the familiar signed menu and photo of the King sitting at Norma’s bar. It hung on the wall behind the cash register.

Adam put his arm around her shoulders. “There’s nothing like them anywhere else.”

“That’s for sure.”

“You did a terrific job this morning, Em.” Bane pushed his plate to the side. “Being Assistant Program Manager fits you to a tee.”

She’d enjoyed working with Mackenzie so very much. “It was easy because you guys were great on the show.”