Page 86 of Fated Shot

“Now, I know you have a father, but I want to be clear. I have never thought of you as anything less than a son, and we are deeply grateful to have you as part of our family.”

I try to make a sound, but I struggle to get anything out.

“Is that understood?” There’s a firmness to his voice, but it’s mixed with nothing but sincerity.

I clear my throat. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” With a brisk nod, he heads straight past us, returning back to the now animated card game happening on the edge of Penn’s bed.

“We love you so much, Jack.” Her voice reflects the genuine warmth that emanates from everything about Nancy Brooks.

“I love you all too,” I say, squeezing her tightly. Appreciation is an understatement, I owe them everything I have.

Chapter 34

Jack

It’s late evening by the time Mia and I make it home from the hospital.

My girl survived a whole day with the Brooks family, and by the end of it, I didn’t think they’d give her back to me. It’s still so crazy to me how she fits so well into my life. I didn’t think anything like this was ever out there for me, even if part of me hoped it would be. She’s infectious. Everything she touches, every essence of her being, I crave more of.

We settle in together on the couch as the sun sets over the city. Bean comes trotting over, taking his usual place between us. Cuddled together like this, the three of us feel like home.

“Thank you for everything today,” I say appreciatively. “I’m so happy you came with me, Mia.”

“Of course I came. We’re a team.”

A team? I can’t stop the smile from forming. I like the sound of that. I love the sound of that, actually.I love her.

“I told you so, by the way.” A cute little smirk spreads across her face.

“What did you tell me, wise guy?” I tickle her stomach teasingly as she squirms away.

“I told you they loved you,” she says between squeals, wholly disrupting Bean, who shimmies over to the far end of the couch.

“Mmm, I don’t recall you saying that to me at all, actually,” I goad her on.

“OH KAY.”Got her.“I see how you want to play this.”

She’s on her knees now, dodging my tickle attacks, hands flailing around, batting me away. “Acting as if you weren’t being a giant man-baby, huh?”

That gets me. I turn my head to the side to laugh,man-baby.

She seizes her opportunity, leaping onto my lap like a ninja cat. Big mistake on her part. I lock my arms around her waist holding her down against my body, exactly where I want her.

She wiggles over top of me, a sexy giggle that makes me lose all my senses. I’m zoned in, completely unable to think of anything but needing to feel connected to her.

“If you wanted to have a serious conversation, Wyndham, you shouldn’t have climbed on top of me.”

She pauses for a moment, wild green eyes meeting mine in a heated glance when she feels me.

“I’m having flashbacks to our first time together, when you decided to climb me like a tree, unable to contain your lust for me.”

“Oh please, you were basically obsessed with me.”I still am.

“Can’t blame a guy. I pretty much fell in love with you the second you walked into Cordelia’s.”

I feel my cheeks flame as soon as the words leave my mouth. I didn't mean to say that. Well, I meant to say it, just not out loud, not yet. Her eyes widen, so I know she heard me. I avert my gaze immediately.

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