Page 82 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

Finally, Ford smiles. His shoulders relax. “In that case, she’s your girl. For some reason, she finds you amusing.”

I grin. “She does, doesn’t she?”

His smile grows softer. “She does. And she needs you. Liam is an introvert. I’m over-protective. She needs someone who can be free and fun, more adventurous than either of us.”

I feel a warmth in my chest. That all feels really good. I can definitely be that for Ivy, and I love the idea of it.

I also love that Ford is essentially encouraging this. I’ve never seen him like this over a woman before, and the idea that hewantsme to also be involved with her is, frankly, humbling.

“Thanks,” I tell him sincerely. Then it really hits me what we’re saying. “I guess it shouldn’t really surprise us that when it comes to long-term real love that we are going to be bound together, sharing our people.”

He nods. “We’ve shared just about everything else.”

“And I can’t imagine living without you. Or actually having a family unit that doesn’t include you.”

That seems to surprise and touch him. “Yeah. Same.”

“So, you’ll all stay here while they’re in town,” I say decisively. “And we’ll work on convincing them that they want and need us forever, too.”

“Exactly,” he agrees. “We need to date the hell out of them.”

I laugh. “Okay. How do we do that?”

“I’m not completely sure. But I think we need to show them Honeysuckle Harbor. Show them this place we love. Get them to fall for the town, our families and friends, and kind of go from there?”

It’s not a terrible idea. Honeysuckle Harbor is so much a part of both of us that Liam and Ivy really do need to love it.

I’m not sure how it will work out with Liam’s job in L.A., but I want them both here with us permanently. We can make trips to the west coast as often as needed, but I want this to be home.

“So what are you thinking?” I ask.

“Let’s take them to breakfast at Mabel’s,” Ford says. “Introduce them to the town and some of the people.”

I’m already nodding and standing, tossing my bagel. I’ll take breakfast at my aunt’s cafe any day of the week.

“Let’s go wake them up,” I say with a grin, starting down the hall, anticipating how to wake my boyfriend—he’s my boyfriend, whether he likes it or not—andourgirlfriend.

Ford is right behind me as I enter the room and crawl up the bed from the foot. I wiggle myself in between Liam and Ivy. Liam is spooning her and it’s a wonder the poor girl can breathe the way he has himself wrapped around her.

But he’s probably just as amazed to have her in his arms now as Ford and I are about this whole thing.

“Okay sleepyheads, I know we fucked you into comas, but it’s time to wake up. You gotta build up your stamina because that’s just the first night of many.”

Liam grumbles, but actually makes room for me between them, rolling slightly and lifting his arm. “Just when I thought I’d seen you at your most annoying.”

Ivy just snuggles up against me with a little smile, her eyes still shut.

I’m surprised by how easily she gets close but I don’t mind it at all. I roll to face her and wrap my arms around her. Yes, I’mvery aware the other men in the room have very much staked a claim on her. That just makes it even more fun to nuzzle my face against her neck. “‘Morning, sweet thing.” I run my hand down her back to her ass. “Is your pussy nice and sore this morning? Does it need a kiss?”

She giggles and opens her eyes. “Wow, you’re just right at it, even first thing in the morning?”

“It’s hardly first thing,” I tell her, feeling myself get hard as her soft curves move against me. “It’s after ten. We really wore you out.” Flashes of last night go through my mind, and my cock reacts. “But yes, I’m right at it. With my bed this full of hot people, how can I not be?”

I didn’t let myself think about it too hard when I first got up, but waking with these three in my bed was the most contented I’ve felt in a very long time. And it wasn’t about the sex. It was about not being alone. Being with my people. It felt really fucking good. Right even.

“You did wear me out,” she says, clearly not minding my hands all over her. “And yes, I’m a little sore.”

I squeeze her ass. “Clearly, we need to get you in shape.”

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