Page 3 of Say I Do

“Daddy!” She screeched as she ran to me. “Look what KoKo did.” She swiveled her head around, smiling broadly. “Isn’t it cool?”

“So cool,” I agreed, smiling. Koda’s smile was bright as she stared at Skye, her eyes crinkled as she watched my kid hop and dance around.

“Hey,” Addie said, “I wanted your opinion on dresses.” She held up the binder and Koda laughed breathily.

“I wanna help!” Skye shouted, jumping up and down. “And you said I could pick my dress, remember?” Addie grinned and slid to the edge of the seat. I rested my hand on her lower back, pushing her to help her up.

“I’m not that pregnant yet,” she laugh, swatting at my arm. “Yeah, I remember. Come on, let’s go find something you’ll like.” Skye squealed loudly, rupturing everyone’s eardrums, and sprinted toward the door that lead to Bash and Addie’s room.

“I’ll be right there,” Koda said as Addie passed. She flicked her eyes between us before she nodded and followed after Skye. “Have you seen Heather?” She asked me, tilting her head to the side. I scrunched my brows.

“Not this morning, why?” I asked, groaning under my breath as I pushed to my feet. She craned her head back to look up at me.

“I haven’t seen her since yesterday afternoon,” she shrugged. “I’m just worried about her.” I nodded, sighing.

“I know,” I said. “I’m worried about Reid, too.”

“Maybe we can get them to talk—”

“No,” I said, holding my hand up as I shook my head. “We’re not getting involved with whatever they’re going through.” Her lips tipped down.

“Why not?” She folded her arms across her chest, popping her hip out to the side. “She’s my best friend, I think I have a right to meddle in her relationships.”

“Not this one, baby,” I said gently. “She went through something really bad, and it’s sweet you want to help her—but it has to be her and Reid who work this out. No amount of meddling will bring them together.” She let out a long breath, her shoulders dropping.

“It’s clear they like each other, I don’t understand why they don’t just get together.”

“Maybe she doesn’t like him like that,” I suggested. “She’s been with Kiwi a lot more lately. I think they’re…” I wiggled my eyebrows and she laughed.

“They are,” she said. “She told me about it. Apparently, he’s a real freak. Did you know?”

“That Kiwi’s into kinky shit? Yeah, we all know,” I laughed. “He’s not exactly shy or quiet about it. Can’t believe Heather would be into it, though.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” she said, shaking her head. “some of the things she’s done would make a porn star blush.” I threw my head back and laughed.

“I didn’t need that image,” I said, still chuckling. She narrowed her eyes and jabbed her fingers into my chest.

“Axel Salvatore, you better not be thinking about my best friend like that,” she said with mock-outrage. I lifted my hands up, shaking my head.

“Of course, not,” I said, my lips twitching. “No way would I ever do something like that. Especially not after you just told me about Kiwi’s kinky sexcapades… That you most definitely didn’t think about.” She laughed, the sound filling my heart. I pulled her to me and pressed a kiss to the top of her head and she sighed contentedly.

She still had flashbacks of her time with Luka, and I thought she probably always would. She still woke up in a cold sweat most nights, remembering everything he did to her. And what she did to him. But she’d shown so much trust in me that it honestly shocked me. She looked for me when she was in a panic, knowing I’d be there to protect her and help her through it.

“Love you,” she said against my chest.

“I love you, little bear.”

3

AXEL

“So,” Skye said, rocking back and forth on the barstool. I braced my hands on the island counter, leaning over it as I flicked my brows up. She immediately stopped rocking. It’s something I get onto her about every fucking day.

“So,” I said as I pushed off the counter. Opening the fridge, I grabbed a juice box for her. “So, what?”

“So, when are you and KoKo gonna start planning your wedding?” I turned toward her, my eyebrows up higher.

“Don’t know,” I said honestly. “We haven’t really talked about it.”

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