Page 39 of Can We Try?

“Ladies, do any of you need anything?” he asks.

“Nope,” all four reply.

Lachlan squeezes my shoulder with the hand that’s still resting there before turning and walking away without another word.

“Please, for the love of butter pecan ice cream, tell me he didn’t hear me.”

“He didn’t, but he stood up as soon as you stopped talking,” Brogan tells me.

“I could tell from Brogan’s facial expression it was one of the guys, so I stayed quiet.” Emerson explains.

“We could see him too,” Briar says, pointing at her chest, and then Monroe’s.

I shudder and exhale, and Emerson places her hand on my arm. “It’s fine.”

“Okay, we’ll go back to your speech, but first, can we talk about how he calls you momma?” Monroe asks.

“Forrest calls me that too,” Briar tells us. “I think it’s more because that’s what the girls call me. But yeah, it hits you in the feels coming from them.” Briar nods.

“It’s sweet,” Brogan comments.

“He’s sweet. He’s thoughtful and goes out of his way to do things for me. It’s confusing me. That’s all this is.”

“He’s into you,” Monroe says, taking a sip of her water. “I say go for it. See where it takes you.”

“It’s not that easy. We have a baby to think about.”

“He’s always going to be there for the baby, and for you,” Emerson assures me. “I’ve known these men all my life, and they’re the good ones. All five of them. He’s not going to let something as simple as an intimate relationship not working out keep him from taking care of you or his baby.”

“I don’t need him to take care of me.”

“Sure.” Emerson nods. “There’s always the battery-operated version, but I much prefer the real thing.”

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing, as do the others.

“What’s going on over here?” Legend comes strutting over with Kane in his arms. “You ladies are having too much fun.” Kane sees his mommy and lights up, reaching for her. Monroe takes him from Legend’s arms and smothers him with kisses, making him laugh.

There is nothing better than baby giggles.

“Just catching up,” Monroe tells her husband.

“Uh-huh.” He smiles, leaning down to kiss her. He takes Kane from her arms, and he’s gone as quickly as he arrived.

“I want that,” I confess. My words are quiet.

“I think you could have that. I think you’re scared,” Emerson tells me. “Your ex was an asshole, and I know there are some confidence issues, but Lachlan isn’t your ex.”

“There is so much at stake.”

“But what if it all works out?” Brogan asks. “I know about being scared and letting your past hinder your present and future, and I had to take a leap of faith. Take things slow, feel it out. Maybe work things out in your head. Give yourself the freedom to picture life with him and then take it one day at a time.”

Tears well in my eyes. “I love you. All of you. I couldn’t do this without you. Lachlan, the baby, all of it. I’m so grateful to have each of you in my life.”

“Same,” the four of them respond.

I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know that I have four incredible friends who will be there with me every step of the way.

“So, did you see the house?” Brogan asks.

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