Hot 4 (Multiple Love)

And at the top of the stairs, there's a picture of us—the selfie taken in Thailand where I'm bright-eyed and flushed with happiness.

"I love that picture," I say softly, fingering the silver frame they chose for it.

"We do too," he says, tugging me against his chest. "This is your home now, Connie. You can put up pictures and make yourself feel at home any way you like. We wanted to show you how much we want you to be part of our lives."

I gaze up at Holden, not really knowing what to say in response. This house is filled with their past. It won't be as simple hanging pictures on the wall to make it feel like my home, but his kindness about it makes my nerves at being here settle just a little.

"Come on. I'll show you the bedrooms."

The first door on the left is open, and Holden waits for me to pass inside. "This is my room," he says. Painted in a dark navy blue, with a bed made from chunky mango wood, it's masculine and bold. Everything is neat, from the geometric comforter to the three decorative pillows lined up against the headboard. He has a white slatted blind to keep the sun out, and cool black and white photographs mounted on one wall. I move closer so that I can see them in more detail. I think they are images of his mom with all of her boys, delightfully faded in a way that makes them nostalgic.

"These are beautiful," I say. "Which one is of you?"

"I have no idea," he says. "None of the photos were marked, so all the ones of Harris and me are just blended together."

"That's cute and kind of sad," I say.

"I guess Mom would have known. I asked Dad, but he just questioned why I was bothered when it was such a long time ago."

"That's a typical dad response," I say.

"Maybe." Holden shakes his head at the same time as though he doesn't buy into his own words. "I don't intend to be the kind of father who doesn't take an interest in which of his twins appears in which picture."

I slide my hand into his, still looking at the photos. "I couldn't imagine you ever being that kind of dad. And for the record, I think this is you." I point at a picture of a baby who is sitting on his momma's knee with a serious expression.

He laughs, looking closer. "What makes you say that?"

"Just...this baby has your aura. That one is definitely more like Harris."

"You think I'm serious, and Harris is happy?"

"I think you can both be both things, but you're always more watchful than Harris. That's what I see here. Even at a young age, you weren't sure about the camera or the person taking the picture."

He nods, pursing his lips in thought. "You could be right."

There's a thud in the corridor, and Harris appears in the doorway. "Are you doing the tour?"

"We are," I say. "Want to show me your room?"

"Sure," he says. "Although my room is about to become our room." Holden follows as I make my way after Harris. "I had the room big enough to take the mega bed." He turns, grinning widely. "The guy at the store was intrigued about why we needed such a large bed."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I joked that I have five wives, and I like to keep them all in arm’s reach."

"Really? Five?"

"Well, I wasn't about to reveal anything about my real personal life. This town is small, and I didn't want you to be subject of gossip before you even arrived."

"So now everyone is going to think Connie is one of five," Holden says, rolling his eyes. "That's so much better."

"The sales guy didn't believe me. He probably wouldn't have believed the truth either. Some people are so sheltered from what is going on out here in the real world." Harris pauses in the doorway. Then he scoops me into his arms and carries me over the threshold. "Your bed awaits, m'lady."

In a flash, I'm dumped into the middle of a bed that is so wide that I could roll and roll and roll and not fall off the edge. It's so wide, there is no space for nightstands, so the boys have installed shelves above for a nightlight and books. Harris throws himself next to me, staring up at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. "We opted for a firm mattress. I thought it was probably the most practical option bearing in mind how much action it's likely to be getting."

"Whoa there," Holden says, then jumps on the bed on the opposite side to his brother. I swivel my head back and forth, marveling at how there is still enough space for Karter and Kane, and maybe even a small child or two.