Page 23 of Perfect Storm

“We’re going to get the whole family together when we get back. We were supposed to meet Keira’s new boyfriend this weekend, so we’ve already re-arranged. I’ll invite mom.”

“And the new boyfriend?”

“Hell no,” Jenna laughs. “Adam hates him, and he hasn’t even met him. Can you imagine how awkward that would be? Meeting Aidan Gass and being around when the family finds out we’re having a baby… Shit,” she puts a hand over her mouth. “I’m having a baby.”

“Better get used to the idea. It’ll be here before you know it.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll be fantastic. Hell, even he will,” I nod at Adam.

He’s trying to get the flight attendant to spill the beans on our destination again. She’s having none of it.

“Honey,” I take her hand. “You’ve got this. And you’ve got all of us, this big ass crazy family, to help you at every step. Especially me.”

“Thanks, Brooke. You know I love you and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

I wave her off. “Next time, I buy the pregnancy tests,” I warn her.

“Next time?” she half shrieks. “Let me figure out this time before we even think about another one.”

I laugh at her. The flight attendant interrupts, announcing we are about to start our descent. She asks us all to take our seats and put on our belts. Jenna gives my hand a squeeze before she gets up. Adam is already beelining towards her.

Archer drops into the vacated seat and pulls on his seatbelt.

“You pissed?”

“No. Why would I be?”

“Aren’t best friends supposed to like, lock themselves in the bathroom and watch the pregnancy test?”

“Is this a rom com?”

He chuckles and takes my hand. “Should have known it wouldn’t bother you that much.”

“Hmm, yes.”

He turns to look at me. He can see right through me. It’s still something I’m getting used to. Letting go of my hand he cups my face, saying nothing more as he leans in for a sweet kiss.

Archer being Archer, he can’t stop there. His tongue sweeps in for a few strokes before he pulls back. My lady parts thump and I shift in the seat.

Cocky bastard grins like he knows what he is doing to me.

Around us, everyone is sitting down, all quietening. I look out of the window and see we’re in a mountainous area. Lots of forests.

“Not Vegas,” Arch says. “Still think it’s a wedding?”

“They have weddings all over the place these days,” I remark.

“Maybe,” he mutters.

Ocean comes out of the bedroom, looking refreshed. She is smiling as the plane banks. Not as giddy as Elsa. That’s her permanent state of being, she’s bouncing in her seat.

I catch Ciro’s eye as he turns to look at me. I swallow and look away. I assume he thinks I haven’t told Archer about our fling, but I have.

He knows everything, well, not the sordid details, but he is aware I hooked up with him a few times. Archer never let on he was annoyed about it.

If we were hanging out with a girl he’d been banging on the regular, I’d be unhappy. I truly appreciate what an amazing guy I've fallen in love with.

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