Page 53 of My Ex-Best Friends

She nodded eagerly. “I have a dress here!”

“Should we make invitations?” I found a few loose sheets of paper and a pen. “Every dinner party needs invitations. What should they say?”

“Come to our party, dummies!”

“Okay, it needs a little work. Let’s see what we can come up with.” We workshopped a few different ideas and finally settled on a simple invite. I pulled out plates and glasses while she ran around to deliver them. Then she sprinted back to help me set the table.

“We have to get dressed!” She pushed me towards the stairs. “Go, go!”

Noah was coming out of his room as we got to the top of the stairs. The way he looked at me made my breath catch in my throat. He swept me into his arms and bent me backwards as he kissed me. Sinclair’s cheering drew him away before either of us were ready. He winked at me as he let me go. Then he swept Sinclair up in a similar way and rained kisses down on her nose and cheeks.

“Daddy! We have to get dressed for dinner!” She squealed. “You can’t wearthat!”

“You really can’t.” I winked and slipped away. “Time for this pumpkin to turn into a better dressed pumpkin!”

I found one of the dresses I’d taken from Aunt Karlene and told myself I’d be more patient with the woman when I saw my reflection. She had great taste. The cream-colored dress clung to my curves with fringe that hung down the sides. I felt like Dolly Parton and I didn’t hate it. The dress stopped at my thighs and I didn’t have heels to match so I just went barefoot. I twistedmy hair into a knot at the back of my head and swiped on some mascara before declaring myself dinner party ready.

Back downstairs I stopped in the doorway to the kitchen and watched as Noah danced with Sinclair. He was wearing a full suit and she wore a beautiful pink princess dress. Colt and Logan stood against the kitchen counter, smiling until it was their turn to spin Sinclair around. My heart felt too big for my chest as I watched. Three great men and they were all mine.

Colt spotted me first and his gaze heated. “Come here, Brooke.”

I let him tug me close and sway back and forth, despite there being no music. He was in a nice black shirt and black pants, as dressy as he got. “You look handsome.”

He raked his gaze over my chest and licked his lips. “You look edible.”

Noah cleared his throat. “Keep it PG, asshole.”

“Daddy! You said ass-”

He slipped his hand over Sinclair’s mouth. “Oops. Let’s just move this dinner party right along.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off of them as we settled at the table and ate the pizza. Logan was next to me and he slipped his hand over my thigh after his first slice of pizza and left it there. Sinclair told us about how she was going to throw a dinner party so big that she’d need six whole tables to seat everyone. As she described where we’d each sit, I was struck with a strange sense of loss.

Sitting there with a child between the four of us, it was hard not to think about what could’ve been. The life that could’ve been played just at the back of my mind. It felt so right, sitting there and having dinner like a family. I wondered what it’d be like if there were more children there. I wanted it. I wanted everything.

42

***Logan***

Sitting on the front porch with Colt and Noah the next day, I stretched my legs out in front of me as I thought about Brooke. Things had definitely changed. She was in. Her smile the night before had never slipped from her face. She was happy with us and I was going to make sure she stayed that way. She was where she was supposed to be.

Noah yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “Sinclair kept me up for hours last night talking about Brooke and dinner parties. She’s obsessed.”

“With Brooke or with dinner parties?” I picked up my water and took a drink.

“Both? I think it’s Brooke mostly. If Brooke said she liked spinach, I’m pretty sure Sin would suddenly love spinach. Which gives me an idea…”

“I think I’m obsessed with her, too.” Colt ran his hand over his head and grunted. “Her ex was back in town yesterday.”

“The asshole cheats on her on their wedding day and thinks he can still get her back?” I scowled. “What a fucking moron.”

“Is that why he’s here?” Noah looked more alert. “He thinks he can get her back?”

Colt stood up and let out a dark laugh. “Speak of the devil.”

Sure enough, there was a small, sporty car pulling into my driveway, Finn Love behind the wheel. I gripped my chair arms as I watched him climb out and fix his hair. He had a lot of nerve.

“That’s him? Jesus. Brooke went about as far from us as she could, huh? That’s a fake tan, isn’t it?” Noah stood up, scowl firmly in place. “Brooke’s not here and even if she was, you wouldn’t be seeing her.”

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