Page 71 of Three of a Kind

Bless raises a hand and flips off her girlfriend. “I swear, you assholes live to make things as complicated as you can.”

I drop the dress back over my shoulder as Libby zooms back with a baby stroller I don’t recognize.

The doll Noble bought her sits in the seat, and my chest aches as I think of him. He said he supports my right to build my pack as I see fit, but I’ll also feel a lot better when I can hug him and make sure that sentiment is still true.

Libby hikes a hip out, pointing at her baby doll. “See, I gots toys.”

Bless snorts and heads off toward Stacia.

“It sure looks like you do,” Gunner says, squatting down. “What’s your baby’s name?”

Libby’s nose scrunches, and she proudly declares. “That’s my baby.”

Gunner laughs. “Did Maverick set you up with any other goodies?”

“He did!” Her head bobbles as she nods. “I got markers, Mom!”

My eyes widen as a terrible sound escapes my chest. “Markers? Oh, that’s great.”

Markers are, in fact, not great with a three-year-old, but it’s the thought that counts. It would also be more traumatic to pry them back at this point, so she gets to keep them, at least for now.

Liberty must have given her order for dinner, because what Maverick ordered for her is more than what she could eat at three meals.

The effort still makes me all melty.

At least she’ll have leftovers.

We eat together, and when I try to help pack some of the bins Bless brought, she instead chucks several large black duffel bags at me.

“I’ve been gathering the stuff I knew could go to storage. What I need you to do is to pack the stuff you and Libby can’t live without. The items you use daily, your clothes, any of her comfort items.” Bless nods to the bags at my feet. “It doesn’t have to be done right this second, if you’d like to let your food digest.”

It really clicks.

She’s not messing around.

She means for Libby and me to leave soon. Maybe sooner than I’m mentally prepared for.

“What about Lennox?” I ask, frowning so hard my forehead aches.

“The two of you shouldn’t be kept in one spot.” Bless tucks her hair behind her ear. “She’s going to be handled by the team watching her. I hope she’ll come around, but if not… You have to start putting yourself first, Brook.”

My chest gets tight, but I know she’s right.

I can’t force Lennox to listen.

I’m pretty sure all my begging for her to stay away from Thorne only managed to make him seem more interesting.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Gunner says, appearing at my side. “I’m going to run Nova to my mom’s house and grab clothes for me and Maverick. I just didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” He brushes a quick kiss over my cheek.

I don’t know why my eyes widen.

We’re freaking bonded.

Bonded couples live together like married people do.

“Thanks for letting me know,” I choke out as Bless laughs.

Life sure is changing fast.

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