“You don’t have to leave.”

“Yeah, I do. Spend some alone time with them. Call me when they leave. I’ll be here in the morning to pick you all up.”

“Can you come early?”

With a groan, I slid my hands down to grip her firm ass. “Give me five minutes, I could come right now.”

Her laughter was muffled, but it made me smile.

“Can I have three from you?” she asked quietly.

I turned my face, my lips by her ear. I could give her a hundred, but three was easy.

“I love your light and goodness.”

She held me tighter.

“I love your beautiful eyes.”

She hummed.

“I love the way you take care of me.”

“We take care of each other.”

I set her down, cupping her cheeks, holding her gaze. “That’s why we’re perfect for each other.”

She smiled up at me, eyes glowing.

“I don’t want to leave, but I have to. I’ll be here by ten. It’s probably best if your parents don’t show up and find me looking the way I did earlier today. Not sure your father would survive a second incident.”

She wrapped her hands around my wrists, her thumbs caressing my skin. “Okay. I love you.”

I yanked her back, kissing her hard. My tongue sought hers, tasting the sweetness of her and the sharpness of her mints. Burying my fist in her hair, I held her close, unable to find the strength to break apart from her.

Until I heard her father’s voice, too close to the door for my liking. He asked if they were going to eat the pizza soon, or let it dry out in the oven. Regretfully, I released her, stepping back with a heavy sigh.

“I love you, Sprite. I’ll talk to you later.”

She ran her finger over her swollen lips. I liked the way she always did that—as if she was sealing in my touch.

I hated walking away from her, and even though I would see her in the morning, the rest of the evening felt endless.

The next morning, I drove in, picked them up, and took them to my parents. Janett and Doug were welcomed by all, and as I expected, they warmed greatly to me due to the interactions they saw with the people I loved. Just to stack the odds in my favor, I had invited Beth and Ryan to brunch, as well. It turned out Ryan loved to cook, and he made the best French toast I had ever tasted. The way my family attacked it, I had a feeling they would be included in our brunches from now on. With the addition of Avery’s best friend, it was a lively bunch at the table, with lots of laughter and teasing.

Janett watched me carefully while I played with Chloe. When my niece crawled into Avery’s lap and snuggled close, falling asleep with her head on Avery’s shoulder, her eyes misted up and her smile grew wide.

I met Janett’s gaze, knowing she saw what I did. Avery fit in there, with us, with me, seamlessly. Even Doug was relaxed, talking football with my dad, and discussing past players they were both familiar with. His loud laugh reminded me of Avery’s.

She was built like her mother, short and curvy, but her coloring and eyes, uniquely Avery. Janett’s eyes were a vivid green and Doug’s an unusual gray, which resulted in the silvery-jade I loved so much in Avery’s gaze. Of the two, she was fairer, her skin pale and snow-white hair, while Doug’s complexion was ruddier and his hair a dark gray. I had seen pictures of Janett’s mother, and Avery did resemble her grandmother in many ways. Although, I thought Avery was more beautiful. Janett and Doug made a striking couple, and I could see bits of each of them in Avery—the shape of her mother’s eyes and nose, the freckles, and wide smile from her father. The most amusing part was the fact Janett had the same habit of mumbling her thoughts aloud. More than once her musings made me chuckle. Apparently, she liked my tattoo—and my broad shoulders. I had to hide my smile.

I glanced around the table, sipping my coffee, relaxed. Caitlin smirked at me and pushed a football schedule my way. “The Argos defense sounds promising this year.”

With a grin, I picked up the paper. “I hear Edmonton’s offense is going to be unbeatable.”

“Oh yeah? Care for a little bet again?”

I rubbed my hands together. That was one of our standing bets. I won more often than I lost. “Yep. Wager?”

Tags: Melanie Moreland Romance
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