Page 58 of We Are the Stars

Carsen flinches at my words.

I don’t miss it.

Neither do Nate and Blake.

The silence stretches.

“Anyone up for a board game?”

The question makes me smile, which bubbles into laughter. Before I know it, I’m clutching my stomach and giggling while the three guys stare at me in disbelief.

“Did you bring home a crazy?” Nate mock-whispers to Carsen.

“She seemed normal.”

“Nate seemed normal too and look what we ended up with there.”

Nate reaches out quickly and tweaks Blake’s nipple. The action is met with a loud yelp and a chase around the kitchen table while Carsen slaps his hands against the table, yelling at them to knock it off.

I’m still laughing when they sit back down to gape at me some more.

“Are you okay?” Carsen cautiously lays a hand on my arm.

I swipe at the tears beginning to run down my cheeks. “I’m good. It’s all so…” I wave a hand. “Domestic around here. I love it. I love that I’m able to witness it and I love that you have it after everything you’ve been through.” I look over at Nate and Blake. “And I hardly know you boys, but I think I love you too.”

“Can we keep her?” Blake whispers. His green eyes are shining with I don’t even know what, and he doesn’t break eye contact with me, not even when Nate reaches out and places a hand over his. “Can we?”

“Yes,” Carsen says, the adoration in his voice clear, making my heart beat faster and faster. “Yes.”

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