Page 82 of Last Minute Fiancé

We both stood up, walking the babies around as the women came back to the picnic area.

“Is everything okay?” Addison asked, holding out her arms.

“I’ve got it, just come hold me.” I winked and she wrapped her arms around my waist as I used my free arm to put my arm around her shoulder.

I looked up to see Greer taking a photo of us with her phone, and I rolled my eyes.

“How many photos do you have of us today?”

“I’m sorry, but my brother holding a baby and his girlfriend? It’s going to be a photo that I can frame.”

She leaned into Noah as Ford leaned down to get them drinks. I smiled, watching our family.

Paisley came over as well and started serving more food, because that woman could never stop moving, as her boyfriend stood off to the side on his phone, a scowl on his face. Then he laughed at something on the other end and looked over at Paisley. She glanced at him and smiled, her shoulders relaxing as he winked at her, his smile bright. He worked long hours with his job, but I knew he spent every free hour with Paisley. They seemed a good fit and, while I knew it would be awkward with August around, Jacob was trying and that had to count for something.

August and Rebecca were over by the parking lot whispering to each other. Rebecca looked happy, and August looked lost in thought again. But then he leaned forward and pushed her hair from her face, a small smile on his face.

Maybe this one would stick longer than a week.

I’d gotten lucky with Addison and we all knew it. Against all odds, I was damn happy. And as everyone talked and ate and I handed off the baby to my sister, I held Addison close and wondered how this was my life.

Soon I would propose, because it was time. And it would be a real one, and she would be my real fiancée. But she still wore my ring, the fake one that had more memories between us than I ever thought possible. Soon she would be my wife, and I’d make an honest man and woman out of us both. And we would watch our child grow up, and maybe add a sibling or two along the way. We’d stay here. We’d find roots.

I never thought I’d have roots. After all this time, for some reason I thought Denver would be a pit stop. Between grieving and healing, I hadn’t expected Addison. I hadn’t expected our family.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly, as Greer walked Keeley around the park.

“Just thinking how unexpected life can be. It’s pretty good sometimes, you know?”

“I do know. I love you.”

“I love you too. Are you ready for work tomorrow?”

She nodded. “We have a huge meeting, and we’re going to take over a new company. I’m excited to take over the world.”

“That’s my girl.”

“And you’re going to go save some kittens and puppies and maybe a ferret. I’m pretty sure we have the best jobs.”

I rolled my eyes. “Maybe not a ferret.” Then I paused. “Okay, now that I said that out loud there’s probably going to be a ferret. I should probably warn Colt.”

She laughed like I wanted her to, and then Keeley was back in my arms, and we were talking about sports and upcoming appointments and dinners and just life.

Life which was unexpected, reality that made so much more sense than dreams.

We weren’t perfect, we still fought, and we still made mistakes.

But in the end, we were real.

And I had to smile at the fact that it had started out fake, had started with a broken promise.

But here we were.

I couldn’t wait to take the next step and make my fiancée turned girlfriend turned mother of my child into my fiancée again.

I just hoped she’d say yes. Though I had a feeling no was never going to be an answer.

ChapterNineteen

---