Page 61 of What About Now

“It was my epic storytelling skills,” Lachlan boasts.

He could tell the kids were winding down, and somehow, he managed to wrangle all four of them into letting him read them a story and all four crashed.

“I guess we should get them home,” Forrest says, looking to Briar for guidance.

“Actually,” I speak up, “is this place ready to go? Like open for business?”

“We are,” Roman answers.

I look at my sister and grin, and she nods, flashing me her own smile. I turn to look at Maddox. “What about now?”

Maddox studies me for a few heartbeats and grins. “You’re ready?”

I love that he knew exactly what I’m talking about without me having to tell him. “I am.” I glance over at Briar. “Are you?”

“Let’s do it.”

“I have a picture on my phone, but I can run home and get the original,” I say.

“Nah, just send me the picture and I’ll get it sorted out,” Maddox responds.

“What’s going on?” Maggie asks.

“Briar and I have talked about getting a tattoo for years, we just have never taken the leap.”

“Yeah, I think we were waiting so our husbands could be the ones to do it.”

“For real?” Forrest asks. His eyes light up as if he was just told he won the lottery.

“Yep.” Briar bobs her head.

“What are we waiting for?” He stands, takes Briar’s hand, and pulls her to his room.

Maddox stands, lifts me into his arms, and carries me. “I can walk,” I tell him, laughing.

“Yeah, and I can carry you.” We step into his room, and he sets me on the tattoo table. His hands rest on my cheeks when he asks, “You’re really going to let me put my mark on you?”

“I am. I’m glad it’s going to be you.” Gripping his shirt, I pull him toward me, and kiss him. I stop before we get carried away, pull my phone out of my pocket, and quickly send him the picture. I know Briar has one too, but I send her mine as well, just in case.

Thirty minutes later, we have a stencil that is exactly like my dad’s handwriting. “Where do you want it?” Maddox asks.

Grabbing my phone, I call my sister. I can hear her phone ring and she’s laughing when she answers. “Where are we getting these?”

“What about inside bicep?” I suggest.

“Perfect. Right arm,” she says. “Love you, big sister.”

Tears well in my eyes. “I love it, and I love you too, little sister.” I end the call and look up at my husband, who is waiting patiently. “Inside bicep.” I lift my arm to show him. “On my right arm.”

Maddox smirks. “Take your shirt off, beautiful.”

I do as he says, and lie back on the table, lifting my arm over my head. He gets to work prepping the skin and applying the stencil. “There, want to take a look?”

I shake my head. “No. I trust you.”

“Brogan.” My name is a rasp from his lips.

He knows I mean more than just this moment, because this man somehow knows me inside out. “I’m ready,” I tell him.

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