Page 120 of My Ex's Brothers

I feel amazing, and tired as hell.

When I wakein the morning, Richie’s still beside me, snoring away.

A knock on the door alerts me, and I look up to see Dane, who looks equally as tired and drained. “Breakfast is ready,” he says.

Richard stirs, and I get up.

When I come to the door, I stop for a moment, staring up at the man who I realize has always had my heart. Since day one.

I lean forward, kissing him with all that I am. I can feel Richard’s gaze on me from where he lies, but he doesn’t move or say anything. Dane’s hands come up to circle my waist and he kisses me back. His kiss is all-encompassing. It’s an earthquake that ransacks my entire being, a pledge to all that is loving and true.

Dane Rose loves me. He’s always loved me, and I will always be thankful to Dexter that he pushed me out. Had he not, I would have never known how deeply in love with Dane Rose I am.

When I pull away, Richard pushes past us. “Come on, breakfast is going to get cold,” he gripes.

When I get to the kitchen, Tripp’s already got Lyla in his arms and it looks like she’s sucked half her bottle down already. My insides warm at the sight. Not that I’d admit it to him yet, but…

He looks damn good with a baby.

I clear my throat, trying to dispel my baby fever. Now is not the time!

We eat our breakfast in companionable silence. There are kisses and coos from Lyla. Richard excuses himself to call his lawyer, while Tripp cleans up the kitchen and Dane plays with Lyla. When my phone goes off, I nearly jump out of my seat.

It’s the university.

“Hello…” I say, and Tripp looks up from his dishes.

“Is this Amelia Corbett?” some woman asks. I tell her yes, and when she tells me that the university would like me to come in and discuss my employment, I nearly scream with delight.

“Yes! Of course!” I say. “I can be there…”

Dane looks up. “An hour?”

“In an hour?” I ask on the phone. They agree, and suddenly I feel like maybe just maybe…everything is going to work out.

When I get off the phone, Tripp kisses me excitedly. “You got the job!”

“I got the job!” I squeal.

We jump up and down like kids as Dane smiles. “Mommy got the job,” he says as he brings Lyla over to us. She blows raspberries out of her mouth as I take her, hugging her close. I kiss her head.

When I look up, Richard is in the doorway. Smiling. “Harry called. Guess what, baby girl?” I open my mouth to ask, but he continues right on. “Catalytic converter is in. I’m headed to pick it up now.”

“Now? I thought you said?—”

He comes over to our circle, reaches down and brings my lips to his. Dane mutters something and Tripp sighs, but I hear the humor in it.

“Told you what my baby wants, she gets.”

I grin. “Baby got everything she ever wanted.”

“Damn right,” Dane says with a grin.

“I gotta go. See you tonight,” Tripp says, kissing me one last time before he runs out the door.

“I’ll be back,” Richard says, leaving me once more to run off and do what he needs to do.

When it’s just Dane and me, I look at him with a smile.

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