“Okay, so the idea of marriage scares you,” she mumbles. “I was kind of joking, Nic.”
“Don’t even say that!”
“Honey, I just witnessed you two together. That was a smitten man.”
I start to reply, but she holds her hand up, stopping me. “And you were just as smitten. I know it’s early days, but Matt isn’t going anywhere. Just enjoy him.”
“He is amazing in bed,” I concede.
“Oh sure, rub it in. You’re cruel. I stuck up for you back there and threatened a man of the law, and all you can do to pay me back is remind me that you’re getting laid and I’m not?”
I giggle and pop a chip in my mouth. “It’s really, really good sex.”
“I hate you.”
***
“You made it!” Brynna exclaims as she opens the door to me.
“I almost didn’t find you,” I admit with a rueful smile. “You’re kind of tucked away here.”
That’s an understatement. Caleb and Brynna live in a beautiful house in the Alki Beach neighborhood of Seattle. This is one of my favorite parts of the city, especially in summer. There are shops to browse, excellent restaurants, including my favorite pub, The Celtic Swell, and miles of paths to walk and admire the Seattle skyline.
“Well, I’m glad you did find us.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I have to stand on my toes to reach her.
Brynna is tall, with long dark hair and gorgeous dark eyes.
“The guys are out back with the girls, who are currently trying to talk us into a later bedtime.”
“It’s summer.” I shrug like this is a normal thing. “How are the girls?”
“Great. Let’s go see them.”
She leads me through the house and out back, where a one-eyed dog is barking happily and Caleb and Matt are both doing pull-ups on a metal bar.
“Holy crap,” I mutter and stop in my tracks, watching as both men steadily raise and lower themselves on the bar. They’ve both taken off their shirts, and their backs and arms are riots of pure muscle. Caleb has a tattoo on his shoulder, but I can’t read it from here. They’re both covered with a light sheen of sweat, and they’re calling out taunts to each other.
“Uncle Matt is at twenty!” Josie calls out.
“Daddy has nineteen!” Maddie adds.
“I’m going to beat you, little brother.”
“Bullshit,” Caleb replies.
“Daddy has to put money in the Swear Jar!” Josie announces.
“Seems they distracted the men with pull-ups to get out of going up for bed,” Brynna says and crosses her arms over her chest, watching her man. “They make quite the pair, don’t they?”
“Good God, it should be illegal to look like that,” I agree. “How do you keep your composure at family events, Bryn? Seriously, I thought I was going to have a heart attack yesterday.”
She laughs and drapes her arm around my shoulders, hugging me to her side. “It is a bit intimidating in the beginning, but they’re all just normal people, Nic. Will farts like crazy and blames it on Meg. Jules’ hormones are so crazy right now, she snips at everyone and then cries and begs for forgiveness. It’s the usual sibling stuff.”
“Huh.” I tilt my head and watch the men both drop to the ground.
“Do you have siblings?” Brynna asks.
“I have a sister, Savannah, but she and I aren’t terribly close.”
“I don’t have any siblings. Stacy and I are cousins, but we were raised more like sisters.”
She grins as Caleb scoops Josie in his arms and spins her about the yard. Matt and Maddie are petting the dog, who is on his back and in doggie heaven while the two scratch his belly. “Okay, girls, bedtime!”
“But, Mom, Nic just got here!” Maddie comes running over to me and wraps her arms around my legs. “I missed you!”
I giggle and squat next to the sweet girl. “You have only seen me in my bakery when your mama came to see me about her cupcakes, silly. How could you miss me?”
“I like your bakery,” she replies and shrugs, like that explains everything.
“Well, thanks.”
“Are you Uncle Matt’s girlfriend?” Josie asks. She has her hand tucked in Matt’s and is watching me with wary eyes.
Protective little thing, isn’t she?
“I am,” I respond, for now, and smile at Josie. “How are you, Josie?”
“Fine.” She buries her face in Matt’s hip as he pulls his T-shirt over his head. He laughs, scoops her into his arms and brushes her long dark hair away from her face.
“Why are you so shy?” he asks her.
She shrugs and lays her head on his shoulder.
“She’s silly,” Maddie informs me. “This is our dog, Bix. He’s very brave.”
“And handsome,” I agree.
The dog lifts his paw as if in greeting, and I reach over to shake it.
“You girls need to go to bed. It’s already past your bedtime,” Brynna informs them.
Caleb takes Maddie’s hand, who has now decided to pout, and signals for Bix to follow them.
“Can you read to us?” Josie asks Matt.
“Sure.” He turns to me and kisses my cheek. “Hey, baby. I’m glad you’re here. Mind if I go read to the girls?”
“Of course not,” I reply with a smile and push my fingers through his soft dark blond hair. “I’ll help down here.”