Page 131 of Love Me Fierce

Mateo races over, a blue balloon in his fist and his big smile so bright. “Happy Birthday, Logan! I saved your favorite color!”

Logan wipes his cheek and stoops down so Matty can climb onto his back. “You’re the best, Matty! You wanna help me with thebonfire?”

“Okay!”

The boys storm off to the lake, where Greta is hanging streamers from the trees.

I spot Vivian talking with Edie on the other side of the deck, a dash of powdered sugar on her cheek. She’s still rocking the clunky boot for another month, but it just reminds me of her strength. She’s traded her leggings and one of my flannels for a pair of wide-leg jeans and a blue V-neck sweater that sets off her honey-brown hair and her pink cheeks.

Mine, my heart says, clenching tight around the word.

She sees me, and my breath judders in my chest.

I weave through the crowd, then pull her close to me and bury my nose in her hair. She smells like honey and chocolate and her hair is warm from the sun.

“You did all this?”

“I had a little help.” She leans back to look up at me with that lightning-bolt smile. “Birthdays are a big deal.”

I close my eyes and kiss her. Maybe it’s going to put us in the hot seat with my family, but I don’t care.

I’m in love with this woman, and I’m going to keep her.

She kisses me back, her soft lips lingering a fraction of a second.

It takes effort to pull away, but I hold her gaze for a moment longer and sweep a stray curl from her temple and tuck it behind her ear.

“Logan and I have um, a little surprise for Matty. It’s kind of a surprise for you too, but… hopefully a good one?”

Her eyes cloud. “Oh-kay.”

“Just trust me.”

She plants another kiss on my lips, laughing. “I think we’re past you having to ask.”

It takes me a second to realize what she means, and I smile through another kiss.

“I also have something for you, but it’s more like something for all four of us,” I say.

“What on earth are you talking about?” she asks, shaking her head.

Ever since she told me about her sister’s invitation to Germany, I wanted to take her there—all of us. I had to get creative with the boys’ school schedules and the Rumsey Christmas celebrations we always do plus figure out McKenna’s show schedule to make sure we timed everything right.

Car doors slam from the driveway. “Be right back,” I tell Vivian before dashing off the deck.

Logan hurries to join me, his eyes lit with excitement. “Let me carry her,” he says, brushing past me to reach for the chocolate brown puppy in Mom’s arms.

The four of us share quick hugs before following the path alongside the deck that leads to the lake. Matty and Greta are splashing in the shallows, the low sunshine turning the water droplets golden.

“Hey Matty!” Logan calls, still hiding behind me and my parents.

Logan sets the puppy on the ground, but she’s already wriggling to get free, whining and wagging her tail. Because she and Matty have developed a special bond, one I knew couldn’t be severed.

Matty’s smile bursts and his eyes light up. He glances at the adults, like he can’t quite put together how his favorite puppy is here. He races over and scoops the ball of brown fur. She licks his face and tries to nip at his ear.

Logan comes over to pet her while Matty cackles. “What are you gonna name her?”

Matty squints at Logan. “What?”

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