Page 200 of Mr. Infuriating

I handed Jake to Britt and murmured, “Why don’t you guys go find a game he wants to play,” then took a step closer to the booth.

I could tell by the way Brayden stood up taller that he wanted to stay and give the guy a piece of his mind, but he reluctantly turned and followed his sister.

“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. Gretchen and Jake are my business.”

She squeaked, “We are?”

Our eyes met, and I took another few steps until I was in front of her. “Yeah, sweetheart. You are. If that’s okay with you.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she nodded her head.

“More than okay.”

Reaching for her hand, I pulled her from the booth and into my arms at the same time I heard Troy exclaim, “You gotta be fucking kidding me! I’m out of here.”

Neither of us even acknowledged him as I wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs and stole a kiss right there in the middle of Mickey’s.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too.”

“I want to marry you and have babies with you.”

This was so not the place to be quasi-proposing, but it couldn’t wait.

“I don’t need another child. You, Jake, Brittany, and Brayden are my family.”

“You’re right, we are. But I know you want more kids, and I want to be the man to give them to you. I want to give you everything.”

“Everything?” she teased with a grin.

“Every damn thing you want. Making you happy makes me happy.”

“Youmake me happy. The fact that you care so much about my son makes me happy.”

“I love your son. I want him to beourson someday soon.”

Her fingers skimmed the hair along my neck.

“I want that, too.” Her grin grew wider. “Bandit.”

I mirrored her smile, “Come on, Chilli. Let’s go find—”

Before I could finish my thought, the kids swarmed us. Brayden and Britt hugged Gretchen while I picked up Jake.

“I’m so happy!” Brittany exclaimed with a big, goofy grin.

Me, too,kiddo. Me too.

****

Gretchen

Gabe and I sat down in the booth while the kids went to spend their tokens.

Christine looked confused when she brought the drinks, but Gabe told her to leave them, then ordered two more pizzas—one cheese, and drinks for his kids.

With a smirk, he took a pull of Troy’s beer, then set it down and declared, “You’re too far away, sweetheart. Come here.”

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