Page 6 of Can We Try?

“Oh, he’s working on it,” Brogan blurts, slapping her hand over her mouth. We all crack up laughing at her outburst.

“My man.” Lachlan leans over me and Brogan to offer Maddox his fist, which Maddox bumps while wearing a wide grin.

The rest of the gang, their kids, and with more blankets in tow join us. Everyone gets spread out on their blankets, and lie back staring at the night sky. The twins and Lilly chatter away, and Kane babbles as if he’s carrying on a conversation with each of them. I can’t help but smile. These kids may not be related to me by blood, but I will forever be their aunt Maggie.

When the first spark of color hits the sky, the kids ooh and ahh, as do their parents. Kane cries a little, but I can hear his daddy telling him how pretty the sky is, and that there is nothing to be scared of, which calms him down.

For such a small town, Ashby puts on an incredible fireworks display out on the lake, and this really is the best place to watch it. I’m lying as still as I possibly can, because Lachlan is next to me. On the other side, Maddox and Brogan are all cuddled up, and I envy what my friends have.

I want to find that.

I’m shocked when I feel Lachlan link his fingers through mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. I do the same in return, letting him know I felt him. It’s weird, being here with him, acting as if the night we spent together six weeks ago wasn’t the best sex of my life. Hell, the best night of my life with him.

I’m struggling and I didn’t think I would be. I know I’ve never done the one-night stand thing, but I thought since I knew Lachlan, and that he would continue to be in my life, that the emotions wouldn’t take hold of me, but I guess I was wrong.

That night is all that I can think about.

For years, my ex belittled me. He made me feel unwanted and unsexy. I was convinced that no man would ever find me desirable, but unless Lachlan was a good actor, he did. No, I know he did. He showed me with his touch and with his words.

Lachlan Noble is going to be a hard act to follow.

One night is all it will ever be. I knew that before he ever touched me. It was my idea, but now, there’s a part of me that might sort of… kind of wish things were different.

Okay, a big part, but what’s done is done. It doesn’t help that Lachlan has been finding these small, innocent ways to touch me today. Like massaging my shoulders earlier, then whispering in my ear how soft my skin was.

So not helping.

The fireworks finale lights up the night sky, and I worry someone might notice my hand locked in his, but I know they’re all wrapped up in each other, and their kids. As they should be. Once the show is over, everyone starts packing kids and blankets back to the house. I take my time, and to my surprise, Lachlan does as well.

It’s just the two of us when he finally speaks. “You good?”

I smile at him, hoping that it looks reassuring. “Of course.”

“You just seem quiet today.”

“Oh, that. I think I ate something bad this morning. I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m good to go now.”

He nods. “Do you need anything?”

This time, my smile is more genuine. Lachlan is a great guy. “I’m good, but thank you for offering.” I bend over to pick up the blanket, but he beats me to it.

“I’ve got this. Come on.” He nods toward the back of the house where everyone has gathered, and I fall in step beside him. “Is this yours?” he asks, holding up the rolled-up blanket in his arms.

“Yeah.” I reach for it. “I’ll go put it in my car.”

“I’ll carry it,” he tells me.

“You don’t have to.”

“Didn’t think I did. Can’t a guy just do something nice for a pretty girl?” he asks.

“You’ve already had the goods. You don’t have to keep laying on the charm,” I say, keeping my tone teasing as we reach my car. I reach in and pop the trunk so he can toss the blanket inside, before joining him at the back of my car.

“Maggie.” The way he says my name has me looking up to find Lachlan still holding the blanket, his eyes locked on mine. “That’s not what I’m doing. I truly wanted to help you. It doesn’t matter that I know what it feels like to have your pussy choking my cock. I’d still have offered to help you.” He tosses the blanket into the trunk and takes a deep breath, while my body aches for him. “That’s what a man does, Mags. A real man. Not some shallow-minded small dick fuckface that had to put you down to feel superior. All I wanted to do was help you.” He closes the trunk of my car and stalks off toward the house.

My heart drops to my toes as I watch him walk away. He’s almost made it back to the house when I call out his name. “Lachlan!” I take off at a light jog to catch up with him. Thankfully, he stops. His hands are fisted at his sides, but it’s his eyes that truly gut me. The sadness laced with hurt steals the breath from my lungs.

When I reach him, I don’t know what to do, so I step in close and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. His now-familiar scent washes over me, and I allow myself a few extra seconds to just breathe him in.

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