Page 181 of Knockin' Boats
“Ew,” Shua said while Hudson blushed.
“I agree,” I said.
Shua rolled their eyes. “You and Ash are just as gross.”
Skylar laughed. “Busted.”
Shua shot them a look. “You’reallkinda gross.”
“Shua!” their mom said. “Men can love men?—”
“That’s not what I mean,” Shua said. “You and Jake are gross too.”
Everyone exchanged a guilty look with their partners. All except Poppy. She nudged Shua.
“I know exactly what you mean.Love. Ick.”
They grinned at each other in solidarity.
As aromantic and asexual, Poppy wasn’t interested in the kind of relationships most of my friends had now. She wanted a companion, a best friend who could be a partner in life, but nothing more.
“Cash is over at the B&B with Declan, but he’ll be here for dessert,” Ash said. “He made me promise to save him some of the cheesecake I made earlier.”
Brooks groaned. “Marry me, Ash.”
“Hey,” Skylar complained. “I’m sitting right here.”
“Marryus, Ash,” Brooks said quickly.
I wrapped an arm around my man, holding him close.
“No way. He’s mine.”
“Possessive much?” Ash asked.
I shrugged. “Yep. Took me long enough to get you. I’m not giving you up now or ever.”
He grinned and kissed me, eyes bright. “Good answer.”
“Get a room!” Mel called, emerging from the trees with her boyfriend, Lakin.
“Hey!” I jumped up to grab an extra couple of plates. “I didn’t know you two were coming.”
She stopped. “Uh-oh. Did Ash not tell you?”
“Nah, but that’s okay.” I put down the plates and hugged Mel. “You’re always welcome.”
“Good, because you know me. I’ll barge in whether I’m welcome or not.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I remember.”
Once, Mel had barged right in as I’d come out of the shower butt naked. That had been an awkward day.
“Wow, I see why Ash wants to spend all his time in bed with you,” she’d said without an ounce of embarrassment.
Ash had come in behind her and clapped a hand over her eyes while I scrambled for a towel.
But hey, what’s a little nudity between three exes, right?
