Page 71 of The Secrets We Built Together

"Hey yourself," I replied, resisting the urge to wipe away that smudge. "Everything looks great."

"It does, doesn't it?" She looked around, pride evident in her expression. "Billie's cool. I like her."

"She likes you too. Apparently she’s invited to girls' night?"

Blake's face lit up. "She mentioned that! We want to make it a monthly thing. It’s going to be great.'"

I laughed, unable to help myself. She was so goddamn adorable sometimes. "I’m guessing it will involve a lot of wine and complaining about the men in your lives."

"Oh, I've got plenty of material," she teased, winking at me. Then her expression softened, and she reached out to straighten my collar, her fingers lingering against my neck. "You okay? You look like you're somewhere else."

"I'm right here," I said, covering her hand with mine. "Just thinking."

"Dangerous pastime."

"I know."

I swallowed hard, holding her gaze. There was something in her eyes—a warmth, a want—that made my heart hammer against my ribs.

"Blake—"

"Hey, lovebirds!" Dex's voice cut through the moment. "We need help with the sign outside!"

Blake dropped her hand, stepping back with a small smile. "We should probably help."

"Probably," I agreed, not moving.

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Come on, Doctor Broody. Let's go make ourselves useful."

"I'm not broody," I protested half-heartedly, falling into step beside her. "I'm—"

"Contemplative. I know." She bumped her hip against mine playfully. "It's one of your more endearing qualities."

I watched her walk ahead of me, pink hair swinging, shoulders straight and confident. Whatever this was between us—this complicated, messy, beautiful thing—I was done pretending it was anything less than everything.

I just needed to figure out how to tell her that. I need a grand gesture. A declaration. She deserved nothing less.

As we stepped outside into the afternoon sun, I made a decision. After tonight, after the soft opening was behind us, I was done taking things slow. I was going to tell Blake exactly what her and Amelia meant to me and that I wanted the whole damn world to know it to. They were family. They were home.

And I was in love with them both.

Chapter 27

Blake

"You need to get out of this house," Delaney announced, standing in my doorway with her hands on her hips. She was wearing the determined expression I knew better than to argue with, her baby bump now prominently displayed at seven months along.

"I really don't," I said, bouncing Amelia gently against my shoulder. "I'm perfectly happy right here."

Amelia gurgled in agreement, or at least that's what I chose to believe. At this point, I was fluent in baby noises—a skill I never thought I'd acquire, let alone pride myself on.

"Blake Mitchell, you haven't left this cottage except to go to the grocery store in two weeks." Delaney strode in and plopped herself down on the couch like she owned the place, one hand resting on her rounded belly. "Girls' night. Tonight. Non-negotiable. Plus Emma got back from vacation and I have it on good authority that there’s an embarrassing story about Finn that she’s supposed to be taking to her grave."

I shot her a skeptical look. "In case you haven't noticed, I've got a tiny human who depends on me for, oh, I don't know... survival?"

Delaney's eyes shifted to something behind me, and her face broke into a grin. "That's where your fake-but-maybe-not-so-fake fiancé comes in."

I turned to see Xander leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed over his chest, an amused smile playing on his lips. Traitor.

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