Page 79 of Where Happiness Begins

He moves away, then spits his toothpaste in the sink before he says, “Honey, I think we’ve done way worse than share a toothbrush already.”

Heat immediately rushes to my face, recalling the way he woke me up this morning with his head between my thighs before he had to leave for work. We still haven’t had much time together, only stealing moments here and there, getting each other off in quick exchanges before one of us has to leave, but it’s only made me want him more. I want time with him when I’m not in a rush, when I can explore him at leisure and discover all the ways to make him tick. I want a real repeat of the wedding night.

The look he gives me then, as if he, too, is remembering this morning, the way I tugged at his hair as I came with his name on my tongue, makes me want to say fuck it and make this moment now.

But we don’t have time.

I pull my hair back into a ponytail and decide this will have to do. “All right, let’s go.” I pass Carter as I make my way out toward the foyer, and when I get a whiff of the cologne he’s spritzed over his clothes, I use the self-control of a saint and don’t stop to kiss him.

He doesn’t grant me the same courtesy, though.

With a hand on my waist, he stops me in my tracks and tugs me to his chest before bringing his lips to my ears, sending tingles all throughout my body. “Maybe I don’t mind being a little late.”

Damn you, Finn, and your stupid game night.

I twist in Carter’s arms so I can face him, and just as I’ve pressed the softest kiss to his lips, I pull back and whisper, “Tough luck.”

The stunned look on his face is worth all the money in the world.

I walk out of his embrace, tugging at his hand. “Come on, Romeo. Monopoly awaits.”

“You’re a fucking cheater!”

Aaron cackles in Finn’s face as he waits for his payment with an extended hand.

“You’re literally too much,” Lexie chastises her new husband, even though she also seems to be finding it funny. She wouldn’t be alone. I’ve been wiping tears under my eyes ever since the game got spicy and everyone started being sneaky and making low-blows to others, especially Aaron, who loves to rile Finn up.

“I swear to God, this game is rigged,” my baby of a best friend says as he counts his fake dollar bills to make his loser’s payment.

“Who would’ve expected Monopoly to be so violent,” Wren says, making Lexie snicker.

“I would’ve,” she answers. “Those two are uncontrollable.”

“Your turn, new guy,” Finn says, handing Carter the dice, which he juggles before throwing them. Then he advances the required number of squares, which leads him to have to draw a card. He picks one up, then reads it in his head before a slow grin travels to his lips.

“What?” I ask.

It’s not at me he looks when he answers, but at Finn as he finally reads aloud, “Have the player of your choice pay five thousand dollars in taxes.”

“No fucking way,” Finn says, and we all burst out laughing.

“Pay up, Finnigan,” Lexie coos, her nose tickling his neck.

“You’re the worst. All of you.” He throws Carter a sizzling stare. “You’ll pay for this.”

Aaron’s laughter is boisterous as he begins tormenting Finn, the way I’ve seen them do ever since we met.

“Gotta stop goading him,” Wren tells Aaron, her feet snuggled in his lap on the couch as she sips on a glass of red wine. “They’ll never want to do game nights with us again.”

“Oh, I’m down to do this anytime.” Lexie pokes her grumbling partner in the stomach. “Seeing him this fired up makes my day,” she teases.

“You’re a pain in my ass, Crabby,” he tells her.

“Look who’s talking.”

He grins and kisses her.

“Get yourself a room,” Aaron shouts.

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