Nerdy (Unexpected Lovers, #2) - J.B. Heller Page 0,41

don’t know how she does it, but she manages to calm the storm brewing inside of me, then she takes my hand and leads me to the limo.

Sebastian is normally so confident and self-assured. Seeing him in the shower this morning made my heart ache. He was freaking out, and I knew I had to do something to take his mind away from whatever was worrying him.

It felt good being able to help him. It felt right.

That feeling consumes me once again as I tug him into the limo after me. He’s back to his happy, relaxed self as he slides in beside me, throws his arm around my shoulders, then laces the fingers of his free hand together with mine. My heart squeezes at the way he’s looking at me right now.

If I didn’t know it before, I certainly do now. I am well and truly gone for this man.

Storm watches us closely, a smile curving her lips. She’s practically glowing in her long, ivy gown. It has long, lace-embellished sleeves and a high neckline, and her back is exposed by the deep V cut of it. She is absolutely stunning.

The drive to the ceremony doesn’t take long, and soon, we’re all climbing out at a beautiful spot on a rise above the vineyard. It overlooks the entire property. A round arbor covered in flowers and greenery sits at the crest of the rise. Two sections of chairs create an aisle that leads to a devastatingly handsome Jake as he awaits his bride.

This is quite possibly the loveliest wedding I’ve ever been to.

I take a seat in the back row, but Spence appears out of nowhere and leads me to the front to sit with the rest of the family. From here, I have a prime view of Jake’s face as he watches his daughters walk hand in hand to him. He squats, hugs and kisses them both, then hands them off to Spence, who brings them to sit with us.

Everly climbs into my lap, and I kiss her soft little cheek. Then Storm is walking down the aisle, and I keep my gaze on Jake, catching the moment he sets eyes on her for the first time today. The expression on his face is everything and more.

Their love is the kind that romance novels are written about. And I am so grateful I get to be a part of this moment in their love story.

I am absolutely beat by the time Sebastian drops me home on Monday. A weekend full of good food, delicious wine, mind-blowing sex, and Jake’s Southern family—not necessarily in that order—is enough to exhaust anyone. Stumbling into my apartment, I head straight for my room where I collapse on my bed and pass out.

The following week, Sebastian stays the night with me not once, not twice, but three times. I’m practically living on cloud nine.

“When do Storm and Jake get back from their honeymoon?” I ask the Saturday after the wedding while Sebastian runs his fingers through the unruly mess that is my hair in the mornings.

“They’re gone for another week, but I’ll have the girls again from Monday. That’s when Jolene and Travis fly home,” he says.

“Cool, cool, cool,” I mumble, snuggling into his side more.

He curls his arm around my back then reaches down to squeeze my ass, sighing contentedly. “I could get used to this,” he says into my hair. “Waking up slowly with you instead of being body-slammed by an energetic almost-five-year-old.”

“Me too,” I agree. “Not that I’ve ever been woken by a body slam... but I imagine it’s unpleasant.”

“Here,” he says, sliding out from beneath me. “Let me show you.” His eyes sparkle with mischief as he stands beside the bed—completely naked—preparing to throw himself on top of me.

I squeal and roll to my side of the mattress, then my bedroom door flies open, and Lennon is standing there, panicked eyes shooting around the room. “Where is the little fucker?” she hollers, and that’s when I notice the baseball bat in her hands.

What the hell? “Umm, Len, babe, what are you doing?”

Sebastian is obviously in some kind of shock, because he hasn’t moved a muscle. He’s frozen, one knee on the edge of the bed, his hands held up as if Lenny is holding him at gunpoint.

Lennon’s eyes are still searching the room—for what, I have no idea.

When her gaze finally locks on mine, she says, “There was a mouse in my room last night. I tried to get