“I don’t know what you’re so afraid of. You’re amazing and even if they don’t like you for some crazy reason, I’m not going to go home and file for divorce. I can’t imagine my life or my home without you in it.”
Her arms tightened around my neck. “Now you’re going to make me cry and mess up my makeup.” She took a deep breath in and held it for a long moment before she let it out. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”
I didn’t know either. Everly was always calm. Even after she’d had someone break into her apartment, she’d remained calm, but the prospect of coming face to face with Luke and Alex and she was shaking to death.
“What can I do to help?”
She pulled back with tears close to escaping her beautiful blue eyes. “Don’t leave me alone with anyone until I’m ready. I don’t want to get cornered and freak out.”
“I promise.” I didn’t want to argue with her that no one would be pushing for any answers, nor did I think she’d freak out. “We really could get out though before they wonder what’s taking us so long and come to the car to greet us.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She bit her bottom lip and now that I wasn’t driving, I could remedy the problem the way I wanted to. Pulling her lip out from between her teeth with my thumb, I leaned forward and nibbled on it for myself before I swept my tongue inside and devoured her. I didn’t pull back until I needed to take a break for some much needed air.
Opening my eyes, I found Everly’s eyes still closed with a peaceful look on her face. In that moment, I knew I loved her. The last three months had been the best of my life, and I didn’t know what I’d do if she up and decided she wanted to walk out of my life.
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I thought maybe I should save them for a better time.
Giving her one last kiss, I helped her out of the car. Everly’s hold on my hand as we walked up the sidewalk was a vice grip. It felt as if she was trying to cut off the circulation, so we’d have to go to the hospital and leave.
My hand was almost to the door, ready to knock, when the door flew open and Luke stood on the other side. One minute I was standing outside and the next I was lifted up and in a bear hug.
“I missed you so damn much,” he murmured in my ear as he continued to hug me.
“I missed you too.” I patted him on the back. I wanted to say it hadn’t been that long, but we didn’t get to see each other very often.
He dropped me to my feet before he gave Everly a much gentler hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too. It’s so good to meet you.”
A flash of blonde came from behind Luke and pulled me into a big hug. She pulled back with tears dancing in her eyes. “I’m so glad you could come for Luke’s birthday.”
“I didn’t come for his birthday. I came to see my niece and spoil my nephew for a few days. Where are they?” I asked, looking over her head.
“Mason is over at his friend, Ben’s house. Taylor will bring him home soon, and Gracie is taking a nap.” I started to move by her, but she held onto my arms and narrowed her eyes at me. “Do not wake her up.”
Luke looked at me over his wife and shook his head. It was then I noticed the dark circles under their eyes and wondered how much sleep they’d been getting.
“You must be Everly,” Alex gave her a short hug and then wrapped herself around Luke. He looked like he was holding her up.
“Why don’t we sit down. You two look like you could use the rest.”
“Last night was a bad night. We only got a couple of hours of sleep. We think Gracie has colic. The second one of us falls asleep while rocking her, she starts crying.”
“And she eats every two hours so not much sleep for mama,” Luke supplied.
“Or daddy. He gets up with every feeding, even though I told him he doesn’t need to. He’s the best dad ever.”
Luke sat down beside her, pulling Alex flush against him, almost pulling her into his lap, and