Page 134 of Waiting For Fate

Shane

Remember when you were complaining three short months ago about freezing your tits off? Let’s just savor the breeze while we have it.

Me

You do realize you could just say these things to each other face to face right? Since you’re all together?

Ruby

True. BUT then we’d feel bad for leaving you out.

Me

So thoughtful.

“I’m not sure why I expected a quiet moment after we arrived home.” Sawyer looks over at me and winks. My cheeks grow warm at the action, then he pulls our intertwined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to mine and I melt in my damn seat.

“Get used to it, hockey star. This is what the rest of your life is going to look like. Just add a few husbands and a flock of children to the mix.” I laugh as we draw nearer to the house.

“I’d hardly call three kids a flock.” My eyes grow wide, and I can hardly bite back my smile.

“Shane is pregnant again,” I blurt out. The shock hits him full force and he whips his head around to face me.

“No way! That’s amazing. Are they excited?”

“Why don’t you ask for yourself.” The girls are all standing on the front porch, shifting on their feet impatiently as he puts the truck in park. Just before I open the door, he stops me.

“Hey, Dove.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” My heart leaps every time I hear him say that. I reach over to cup his face in my hand.

“I love you, too.” He gives me a chaste kiss then nods for me to join the girls. They run over to me, wrapping me in a group hug and my heart overflows with joy.

“We missed you so much,” Lauren whispers, brushing my curls out of the way.

“I missed you guys too.” I try to swallow past the lump in my throat and take a deep breath. “I am so thankful to have friends that don’t give up on me—even when I start to give up on…well, everything else.”

“You know we’re here ‘til the end, babe,” Shane says, giving me one of those calming smiles she’s mastered.

“Okay okay, let’s see this ring!” Ruby begins clapping excitedly. I hold my hand up and there’s a collective gasp as they all stare at it, taking turns moving my fingers around to watch the sun reflect off it.

“Oh, that is stunning.” Lauren is the first to speak, clearly impressed by Sawyer’s choice. It’s the most breathtaking piece of jewelry I’ve ever laid eyes on—a simple, but radiant marquise diamond set on a thin, rose gold band that looks almost like a vine.

It’s very…me.

Taylor quietly breaks away from the pack and runs over to Sawyer, throwing her arms around him—clearly taking him by surprise—but he doesn’t miss a beat wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her back. I can’t hear what either of them are saying but they nod, and smile and he kisses the top of her head before she runs back over to us.

Sawyer walks up behind me, squeezing my waist as all the girls look on with adoring expressions.

“As much as I want to steal my future wife from you all so I can get some sleep before my game tonight, I am willing to share her—just this once.”

“Oh my god, we have another possessive husband in the group,” Lauren complains in an obviously playful way.

“Shane, congratulations on the new addition. I’ll be sure to tell Max the same the next time I see him.” Shane holds her bump-less stomach, smiling at Sawyer.

“Thanks, Moose.”

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