Page 7 of Can We Try?

“I’m sorry,” I mumble against his chest. “I didn’t mean to upset you or hurt your feelings. I’m just not used to men being nice because they want to be.”

Finally, he wraps his arms around me and hugs me back, and it feels right, as if this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I quickly dismiss that thought, pushing it out of my mind, because that’s not what this is. Lachlan and I are friends.

Friends can hug, right?

“I hate that fucker for what he did to you.”

“I’m a work in progress,” I mutter.

I feel his lips press to the top of my head, and then he’s leaning back, placing his finger beneath my chin, his blue eyes finding mine. “You are not a work in progress, Maggie. You’re perfect just the way you are. Take everything that man said to you and erase it from your mind.”

“That’s easier said than done, especially after three years of almost constant ridicule.”

He mumbles something about five minutes in a dark alley, and I place my forehead against his chest to hide my smile. One day this man is going to make some woman very happy and feel cherished. He just needs to find her.

It takes effort, but I force myself to step back from him. “Come on, stud. Let’s go join everyone else.” I’ll miss the warmth of his arms and the false sense of security they offer. He’s not that person for me, and that’s okay. One day, there will be a man who will come along who loves me fiercely, and when he shows up in my life, I’ll have worked through my shit with my self-esteem that Eric trashed, and I’ll be ready for him.

“You think I’m a stud, huh?” He wags his eyebrows, and I crack up laughing. Lachlan is this macho guy with such a soft heart. It’s a contradiction, and he’s funny, fun to be around, and I’m glad he’s also forgiving. He didn’t deserve my words.

“What’s so funny?” Briar asks as we reach the backyard.

“This guy”—I point toward Lachlan—“thinks he’s a comedian.”

“I’ll show you, comedian.” He lifts me into his arms, tossing me over his shoulder, and takes off as if he’s going to the lake.

“Lachlan!” I half yell, half laugh. “Put me down.” I smack at his back and his ass, but it does nothing.

“Say I’m the funniest guy you know.” He stops walking and waits for me to comply.

“You’re the funniest guy I know.”

“That’s better.” Instead of putting me down, he turns on his heel and heads back to our friends. He doesn’t stop until he’s in front of a vacant chair. He lowers me to my feet and holds on long enough for me to get my balance. I swat at his chest, and he grins, his blue eyes sparkling in the light of the fire.

Yes, it’s July in Tennessee, and we still have a fire. “Now I feel buzzed.” I laugh, patting my hair that I’m sure looks like I just walked five miles in a windstorm from hanging upside down.

“You’re welcome.” Lachlan bows dramatically, and everyone laughs at him.

“Go over there.” I chuckle, pointing to a chair on the opposite side of the fire.

“Uncle Lach, I want a ride,” River says, bouncing on Maddox’s lap.

“Me too!” Rayne declares.

“Isn’t it past your bedtime?” he asks the girls.

“We’re not tired,” River says, covering her yawn.

“How about a story first?” Lachlan suggests.

“Oh, will you do the voices like Daddy does?” Rayne asks.

“I’m not sure I can do it as well as your dad does, but I’ll give it a try. Why don’t we go inside and pick out a book.”

“I wead,” Lilly tells him. She’s sitting on Roman’s lap and was half asleep until all the commotion. She raises her arms in the air, and Lachlan plucks her from her dad's lap, settling her on his hip.

“What about you, little man?” he asks Kane. The cutest baby boy ever just stares up at him, his eyes heavy. It won’t take much for any of them to be asleep. Lachlan holds his arm out and tells Legend, “Baby me.”

“You sure you want all of them?” Forrest asks. “I can help.”

---