Page 15 of The Wounded Mountain Man

"That's a good question."

She grins and takes another sip. "That's why I asked."

I turn to face her, placing the forks on the counter. "I'm…treading lightly."

"Good idea. I did the same with Charlie."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot you guys were friends before taking the plunge." I start dishing out the casserole onto the plates. "Any advice?"

"Just my golden rule." She tips her glass toward me. "Talk, talk, and talk some more."

I chuckle. "We are."

She mutters something that sounds like "Should've done it years ago," and even though I hear it, I let it slide because she's absolutely right. We should have.

I don't necessarily know what it would have changed, though. Would Wade still have gone away? There's no way I would have stood in the way of his dream of a military career. It's what he's wanted to do his whole life. Would we have done the long-distance thing? Could we have made it work? Are we actually meant to be together, or is this all just some fantasy I'm holding on to that will turn to shit the moment we give it a proper shot, potentially ruining our friendship and everything that we have?

With casserole heaped onto every plate, I blow out a heavy breath and let go of all thoughts about the past and the future and instead focus on what's happening right now.

Starting with… "Dinner's ready!" I call out.

"Did you have a nice time?" I ask Wade, plunging my hands into the warm soapy water. We've dropped Hattie and the kids back at her place, and Wade's perched at the breakfast bar while I wash up.

"I did. Thanks again for doing everything. I feel bad you won't even let me help clean up a little." I shoot him a look. He raises his hands. "But I get it."

I smile. "I know you do."

"What did you say to Jax?" I ask. "He was like a different kid after your chat."

He strode back into the kitchen and threw himself onto Hattie, telling her how much he loved her and that he was going to try and be good from now on.

"I just said that it's important to treat everyone with kindness and respect, especially his mom. And then I reminded him that his father will hear about everything when he gets back, and that in the meantime, while I'm here, he'll have to deal with me if he steps out of line."

"Ah, so you went with good ol' fear."

He flashes a grin. "I did."

"I'm sure Hattie appreciates the backup. You know, I was thinking, maybe we can offer to babysit the kids sometime so that Hattie can go to a day spa and have some time for herself?"

"We can definitely take the kids," Wade agrees with a nod. "Not sure if she has funds for a day spa."

"We have one at the center."

"You do?" Wade's eyes bulge. "Oh, wait. Of course you do. That place has everything."

"I'll see what I can do about getting her a free pass."

"Have I told you how incredible you are?"

"Not today, no. And frankly, I'm starting to get a little down about it."

He chuckles as he lifts himself off the stool and rounds the corner, then he slides his arms around my waist and presses his hard body into me. "Well, you are," he whispers into my ear, and I lean back. His cock thickens against my ass cheek. "Did Hattie interrogate you about us?"

I place the wine glass I've been washing onto the drainboard, not caring it's still sudsy—literally a world first for me—and spin around. "She did," I say, staring into his pine-green eyes. "Said we need to communicate."

"She's right. We should."

My eyes fall to his lips. "We should."

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