Page 21 of Til Death Do Us Part

“Not even close,” I laughed. “She lives in Oasis. I know we did this backward, but we’re going to try to make this work.”

“I only want you to be happy. You know that.”

“I do, and I love you for always looking out for me. I hate to cut this short, but Everly just ordered us lunch and then we’re going to…”

“Yeah, I get the idea.” He chuckled down the line. “Enjoy yourself, but please don’t get her pregnant. Wait until you love her before you bring a life into the mix.”

Thoughts of last night and running out of condoms raced through my mind. While I loved kids, I was too young to be a father.

“I’ll call you when I get to my place. Maybe we can FaceTime so I can see if Alex’s belly has grown any.”

Luke barked out a laugh. “Don’t let your new wife get the impression you’ve got the hots for your sister-in-law.”

“I won’t,” I laughed. “Talk soon.”

“Love you, little brother. Talk soon,” he replied before he hung up.

Before I could turn around, I felt a hand on the middle of my back. “I couldn’t help but overhear some of your conversation.”

Turning to face her, I took her hand in mine and kissed the inside of her palm. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything.”

“Okay.” She swallowed nervously. “Who is your brother? Is he like some Swedish mob king?”

Falling back against the window, I laughed harder than I had in a long time. Luke, a mob king? I couldn't wait to tell him she thought he might be the head of the Swedish mob.

Wiping away a tear once I stopped laughing, I straightened up to stand and pulled Everly over to the couch. Keeping her hand in mine, I tried not to laugh as I explained who Luke was.

“I’m pretty sure there is no Swedish mob, and if there is, Luke has nothing to do with them.”

“I literally know zero about Sweden except that it’s cold there for a good portion of the year.”

It does get cold in Sweden, but that didn’t matter in this instance. “My brother lives in Fairlane, Missouri with his pregnant wife and stepson. Have you heard of Luke Sandström?”

She bit on her bottom lip before she asked. “Like the movie star?”

“Exactly like the movie star.”

“I mean, yeah, I’ve heard of him, who hasn’t. I remember seeing a picture of him and his wife. She’s super pretty.”

“She is…and she’s pregnant with my niece or nephew.”

“Wait, a minute. Are you saying your brother is Luke Sandström?”

“I am,” I answered hesitantly. Fuck, I didn’t want her to be some crazy fan I’d never be able to have around my brother or his family.

She hummed to herself and held up her left hand. “So, you’re Leo Sandström, and that would make me Everly Sandström.”

“If you change your last name it would be. Please don’t tell me you’ve got some crush on my brother or something along those lines.”

She opened her mouth once, then twice before she clamped it shut. Biting on the inside of her cheek, she stared at me for a long minute. “While I think your brother is good looking, older men are not my thing, and married men are definitely not what I’m interested in. I like men my age with brownish-blond hair, a little scruff to their jaw, and piercing blue eyes.” She ran her hand across my stubble. “If you’re still questioning who’s my type, it’s you, Leo. I like you. Not your brother.”

“Thank fuck,” I muttered as I crashed my mouth to hers. Devouring her until we had to come up for air. Only then did we break apart.

Panting, she smiled up at me, her hands going to my zipper. “If you’d like, I can give you a demonstration of how much I like you until the food arrives.”

“Show me,” I growled.

8

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