Page 42 of Fixing to Be Mine

“We’ll be there,” Sunny says. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thank you,” my sister replies, beaming. “I expect you all to be there.”

“I’m tryin’ to figure out how you ended up with my brother,” Harrison says, and Grace elbows him hard in his side.

Sunny tilts her head and gives Harrison a look like she takes no shit. “Colt is charming. Caring. Funny. Why not?”

“See,” I say, smirking.

It’s all in good fun until Remi tilts her head, eyes narrowing.

“So … is this serious?” she asks, but I have a feeling my sister already knows the reality.

The table goes quiet, but Sunny doesn’t react to the attention. It slides off her shoulders like she’s been in the hot seat before. This woman is confident, unbothered, and I find that so sexy.

Sunny doesn’t flinch. “I don’t know what this is. I’m hesitant to give titles to anything.”

Mama lifts a brow like she’s impressed. “Smart woman.”

I shift in my seat and give Sunny’s hand a little squeeze under the table. She squeezes back once.

Once we’ve cleared our plates, Mama passes out pie and peach cobbler like we won the lottery. Sunny chats with Kinsley and Summer, and I can’t help but watch her as she laughs.

“Yeah, I heard Tessa was still trying to convince folks she was Colt’s soulmate today in town. You know, some girls peak in high school. She’s one of them. Never liked her,” Kinsley adds.

“How about we talk about something else?” I ask. “Unless you want me to start talkin’ about your exes.”

Hayden chuckles as Kinsley rolls her eyes.

After we eat dessert and chat about the weather this week, the table starts to clear in waves. Emmett tries to disappear before the dishes are picked up, which earns him a sharp elbow from Remi and a death glare from Mama.

As Sunny chats with Vera and Fenix, I pick up empty plates and carry them to the kitchen. Beckett catches me at the sink.

“You look calm for someone who’s in over his head,” he says, leaning one hip against the counter like he’s got all night to get to his point.

I shoot him a look.

He smirks. “You’re not as smooth as you think.”

I wipe my hands. “You done?”

“Not quite.” He nods toward the dining room. “She’s got anchor energy. The kind that roots people before they even realize it. How old is she?”

“Thirty-four,” I tell him. “Does it matter?”

“No. She seems like she has her shit together, unlike everyone else you’ve ever been with. Are you ready for commitment?”

I follow his gaze, catch a glimpse of Sunny as she smiles and easily holds a conversation without me needing to be by her side.

“She’s temporary, Beckett,” I say, though the words feel like gravel in my mouth.

“Sure. Make sureyouremember that when she leaves because from where I’m standin’, it looks like she’s already got her hooks in and you’re not trying to stop that from happenin’.”

Before I can reply, he’s gone, like he didn’t walk up and punch me with a paragraph.

I glance back at Sunny, still seated, still looking like she belongs here in a way that makes my chest tighten.

I remind myself again that this is temporary. Even if I don’t want it to be.

---