Page 267 of Bossy Hero

“That can’t be true,” I insist, mentally searching for proof to refute his assertion.

I shouldn’t be surprised Alan would notice this sort of thing. Because he’s always reaching for me. And I’ve always been slightly out of reach.

Those days are in the past.

I squeeze his hand gingerly. “I’m done hiding from myselfandfrom others. I’m madly in love with you, and I don’t care who knows it.”

The smile he’s fighting would devastate me if he unleashed it on me. He offers a pleased nod, keeping his reaction in check. “Okay, then.”

Hand in hand, we stride into the den of lions.

As we step out of the hallway into the expanse of the living room, it’s full of people.

Sammy and Sawyer, obviously. Plus, Leo and Sue have arrived. Then there’s Tomer, Lettie, Mia, Klein, Shep, Kri, Val, and Junior.

I flick my gaze to the ceiling, silently praying my daughter doesn’t embarrass us in front of this many people.

Leo notices us first, tapping Sawyer’s arm with the back of his hand. One by one, the others whip their heads in our direction.

“Well, well, well,” Sammy drawls. Clearly, she’s been waiting for this. “Look who’s finally awake after a long,hardnight of getting reacquainted.” She pumps her brows. “In the biblical sense.”

Sue’s cheeks are like pomegranates, both in shade and shape, since she’s puffed them up to hold her breath. For once, I’m grateful for her lack of eye contact.

Alan leads me into the kitchen with extra swagger in his gait. “To what do we owe the displeasure?” When he gets to the kitchen island, he gives Lettie a side hug. “Morning, kiddo.”

“Hiya, Boss Dad.” She smiles from him to me, bright and shiny as can be. “Good morning, Maddie.”

Leo checks his watch, then trains his gaze on Alan. “The guys have an appointment to get fitted for our tuxedos for Tomer and Lettie’s wedding. We figured we’d meet here to make it easier.”

I thought they’d tell him this at the office, but this works better.

Alan’s forehead creases, and he cocks a brow at Lettie. “I didn’t realize you were already this far along in planning.”

Lettie snickers. “Oh, there’s so much you don’t know about me yet.” She clicks her tongue at him twice. “I’ve been planning my wedding since I was five, which says a lot, because my squirrel brain isn’t typically big on details and organization. This is an exception.”

Alan chokes back his laughter and surveys the room. “Are weallgoing?”

Klein spreads his arms wide. “All the boys.”

Junior clears his throat and scowls at Klein.

Kri offers a correction. “All the boys except one. Junior’s tagging along with the ladies today.”

“Ahem.” Shep’s brows knit tightly over the bridge of his nose. “The men.”

She pats his chest soothingly. “Sure, baby. Sure. You’re a big, strong man.”

Sawyer points at a brown paper bag on the counter and meets my eyes. “I made breakfast for you both. For the road.” He looks around the room. “After we load up the babies, this conga line can roll out.”

Sue’s nose wrinkles. “I don’t think you mean conga line. Caravan makes more sense in this context.” Ironically, she can look at Sawyer despite studiously avoiding Alan and me.

Sammy’s quick to defend her man. “It could be a conga line. It still works.”

Sue extends her pointer finger. “Caravans are comprised of vehicles. Conga lines are people, typically at a party or social event. Unrelated side note—those are all horrifying things.”

“What’s horrifying?” Val asks.

“Parties, social events, and people.”

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