Page 98 of The First Time

He winks at me. “Baby, I don’t want to live a day apart from you. We can talk about the details later. One of us can put our houses up for sale. Until then, Biscuit can stay at your house.”

I smile for what feels like the millionth time in the last half-hour.

All those years that I spent hating Josh, all that time wasted. If only we got it right the first time. Going back in time isn’t possible, but second chances are. We didn’t get it right the first time, but we spread our wings and grew. Luckily, life brought us back together. And sometimes, the second time is even better than the first.

I look over at the man next to me and smile to myself. We are definitely getting it right this time.

Epilogue

Josh

Four Months Later

"Biscuit, get over here now," I scream as he takes off on me again then proceeds to jump off the dock and into the lake.

This dog never listens to me. I told Layla I would bring him with me while she was at work, but she has no idea what that entails when we are at our property. Biscuit is obsessed with the water. I'd love to let him swim all he wants, but I'm in no mood to give him a bath when we get home.

I just worked for eight hours straight today on our home. The framing is up, and now the guys and I are putting up the siding. Wherever we can save money by doing the work ourselves, we are trying to do that.

"That dog doesn't listen to you for shit," Liam laughs as he uses his nail gun.

"You need to stop giving him everything he wants," Eric tells me as he holds up another large piece of siding to be nailed in.

"I don't give him everything he wants," I deny.

Asher laughs. "Dude, you are such a softy.That's why Brie gets whatever she wants from you."

"Whatever," I grumble to myself.

Even if I am a softy, I'm sure as hell not about to admit it to them.

Biscuit comes running back at us drenched in lake water. His tongue hangs out of his mouth as he pants while looking at us.

"Biscuit. Come here, lie down," I command. Thankfully, he listens this time. "See. He listens to me."

The guys just shake their heads and laugh.

Biscuit is six months old now. He is already forty pounds and still growing. Layla is absolutely obsessed with him, and I'm obsessed with making her happy.

We sold my house and have been living together in hers for four months now, and I've never been happier. I couldn't wait any longer, so I popped the question a couple weeks ago. I'm trying to get this house done in the next seven months, so we can move in before the wedding.

I wasn't even nervous to ask Dan for Layla's hand in marriage. Our relationship has only grown stronger since I've started dating Layla. We go over there a lot for dinner, now that Layla and Stella have been working on their relationship.

"Hey guys," Layla shouts as she walks down the dirt path that leads to our house.

She's dressed in her black clothes from the restaurant, hair up in a bun, and still so beautiful it makes my heartrace.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I give her a kiss and wrap my arm around her waist.

"I'm letting Zane take the lead for the night shift and over the weekend. I'd rather spend my time with you," she says as he smiles up at me.

I pull her closer into me. "I have some ideas of how we can fill the time."

"Dude, her three brothers are right fucking here," Liam shouts.

I lean down and kiss her with fervor, slipping my tongue into her mouth to mix with hers. If they don't like it, they can turn away. Now that we're engaged, my next mission is to get her pregnant. Although, she made me promise to wait until our home is ready. I'll keep trying to convince her otherwise.

When we pull away, I see the desire I stoked in her eyes.

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