Page 69 of I'd Never Date my Best Friend's Brother

“Okay, love birds,” Liam’s voice is by our ears. “You’ll have plenty of time for that later. Right now we have a reception to get to.”

I feel Evie’s lips smile against mine and I reluctantly pull away from her. We start moving forward and I feel her squeeze my arm as she leans her body closer to mine.

“I love you.” I lean in and whisper in her ear. “So very much.”

“I love you, too.” She turns bright eyes to me and my heart races.

A smile crosses my face as I realize I am a very lucky man.

Epilogue

Evie

6 years later

“Whose idea was it to give the kids ice cream?” I yell over the six off-the-wall children, ages three to six, running around screaming their heads off.

“Guilty.” Liam raises his hand and laughs.

“I’m so glad that five of them are leaving with you when the awards ceremony is over!” I shake my head and rub my temples. I didn’t know that boys’ screams could get this high pitched.

I don't know how Penny survives with Liam and the twins. Lucas and Liam, Jr. and Sr., are full of an endless amount of energy.

Usually, their daughter Sarah is pretty relaxed, but today, she and Emilia, my three-year-old, are under the spell of their older brothers and cousins.

Oh wait, here comes Penny running out of the kitchen chasing after the kids with Tex and Snoopy, Sean and Jessica’s Golden Retriever, barking behind her.

I can’t stop the groan that comes out of my mouth.

A pair of arms slide around my waist and I’m pulled up against a solid warm body. In spite of the chaos, I feel the corner of my lips lift.

“Just remember having a party for the Golden Globes was your idea.” Jamie leans in and kisses my neck. His husky voice sends shivers down my spine. I feel the chuckle rumble through his chest as he rests his chin on my shoulder.

I turn and slip my arms around his neck. “Well, next time I have an idea I think is brilliant, please stop me.” I press my lips to his and enjoy the peace that I feel in my husband’s arms while chaos swirls around us.

A tug on my pants grabs my attention. I look down and see Emilia, one hand still tugging and the other rubbing her eyes. I scoop her in my arms.

“What’s the matter, sweetpea?”

“When is everyone going home? I’m tired.” She rubs her eyes with both hands and yawns.

It’s almost eight thirty and way past this little girl’s bedtime.

Jamie runs his hand over his daughter’s hair and kisses her forehead. How tender he is! Will there ever come a time that I am not moved by this man? I hope not.

Jamie and I got married six months after Penny and Liam. And although it isn’t always completely blissful, there isn’t any other man that I’d want to spend the rest of my days with.

“Do you want to go to sleep, princess? You don’t have to wait for everyone to go home,” he says it so sweetly my heart melts. She puts her one arm out to her dad and nods. When he’s securely holding her, she rests her head on his shoulder and sticks her thumb in her mouth.

“I guess that’s a yes.” I giggle, gently rubbing her back with my hand and kiss her on the cheek.

“I’ll take her up and get her tucked in.”

“Do you think she’ll be able to sleep through this?” I throw my arm around to highlight the five kids, two adults and two dogs acting crazy, with a raised eyebrow.

“She would sleep through a tornado. This is nothing.” He grins and gives me a quick peck, then heads toward the stairs to put Emilia to bed.

“Say good night to everyone,” Jamie tells Emilia. She lifts up her hand and half-heartedly waves.

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