Page 190 of Well That Happened

And just like that, we’re floating. Me on the unicorn, the boys circling like sharks—Caleb poking at the float with a noodle, Grayson bringing out popsicles, Hunter occasionally splashing me just to see me squeal.

It’s loud and chaotic and perfect.

When the sun starts to dip and turn the sky blush pink, I perch on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water. The guys gather around like I’m the center of gravity—because, somehow, with them, I always am.

“So,” Caleb says, nudging my knee. “Tell us about work. What’s the verdict?”

I glance at him, then the others. “It’s… a lot. But also incredible. We had a delivery yesterday—first-time mom, super nervous. I got to be with her through the whole thing. Coached her through every contraction, held her hand when she sobbed through transition, and then watched her hold her baby for the first time.” My throat tightens. “It’s wild. How something so messy and raw can also feel sacred.”

Grayson leans in, brushing a wet strand of hair from my cheek. “That’s because you make people feel safe. You always have.”

Hunter grunts in agreement. “I wouldn’t want anyone else delivering my kid.”

Caleb groans. “Bro. Not where I thought that was going.”

“I meantsomeday,” Hunter mutters, and my heart does a weird, hopeful flutter.

Grayson leans over and bumps his shoulder against mine. “We’re proud of you.”

“Yeah,” Hunter says, all quiet conviction. “We know what it took to get here.”

My chest tightens in the best way.

I reach out and thread my fingers through theirs—one hand holding Caleb’s, the other brushing against Grayson’s. Hunter’s leg brushes mine under the water.

“Thanks,” I whisper. “For coming here. For being here. For not giving up.”

They don’t say anything.

They don’t have to.

Because the way they look at me—like I’m worth it, like I’m theirs—says everything.

And for the first time in weeks, I feel like I can finally breathe again.

Grayson’s hands find my waist as I drift in the pool, weightless and laughing. Hunter and Caleb are still splashing each other like toddlers, and for once, everything feels easy again. Light.

“You good?” Grayson murmurs, voice low against my ear.

“Better than good,” I whisper back, breath hitching when his thumbs sweep slow, lazy circles just beneath the band of my swimsuit.

“Come with me,” he says, tugging gently.

He lifts me like I weigh nothing and sets me on the edge of the pool, then he climbs out.

He’s dripping wet, tattoos gleaming under the soft lights, jaw set in that way that makes my pulse skip. Focused. Feral.

He sets me on the sun-warmed cushion of the chaise lounge.

The look in his eyes is hunger and home andfuck, I missed youall tangled into one.

His mouth crashes into mine—wet, hot, and furious. He kisses like he wants to devour me. Like the weeks we spent apart were a punishment he’s still trying to survive.

His hands are everywhere—sliding over my hips, dragging me closer, anchoring me to him like he’s afraid I’ll vanish again.

“Are you mad at me?” I whisper against his lips.

He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. His voice is low. Dangerous. “Mad? No. Obsessed? Yeah. You think I slept while you were gone?”

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