Page 79 of Purr For Me
Epilogue
“Do you think she’ll ever marry him?” Lexie heard Zip ask Sully a few months after she’d moved in with Kade.
The gang was enjoying Friday evening together at Sully’s place. Some of his other friends were there, and the two crowds mixed and mingled well since most of them were part of the racing scene.
She and Kade sat at a long picnic table, a huge striped umbrella shading them. They were drying off after swimming and playing in the pool.
“I don’t know, Zip. I wouldn’t rule it out,” Sully said.
Lexie tried to hide a smile as she looked up at Kade. His eyes shone with restrained laughter, indicating he was eavesdropping, too.
“I hope so. They’re a great couple. Lexie deserves happiness.”
Kade leaned down and whispered, “I agree.”
Lexie barely held in a laugh.
“That may be, but I hope they don’t rush into it. Lex has been through enough hell. I think Kade’s a good guy, but if he breaks her heart, I’ll punch him in the head.”
Lexie felt Kade tense at Marcus’ remark, and she put a hand on his thigh, holding him in place.
“Since when did you become so protective of her?” Sully asked. “I thought you hated her?”
“Yeah, well, we’ve talked over some stuff, and I think we’ve come to an understanding. Besides, we were both screwed over by Jason Colter,” Marcus replied. “It’s bonded us.”
Lexie muffled a snort, and Kade chuckled quietly.
“You guys are worse than a bunch of nosey old ladies at bingo,” Kendra remarked, drawing laughs from the men. “Don’t you have better things to do than speculate about other people’s business?”
“Not really,” Marcus replied. “Then again, we could talk about how you’re knocked up again already. Yeah, that’s a great topic.”
“Shut up, Marcus,” Stella said.
Lexie hated seeing the pain in her friend’s eyes… but she would talk to Stella tomorrow. Marcus definitely hadn’t liked it when earlier, one of Sully’s friends took a shine to Stella and was openly flirting with her. Perhaps there was hope.
“Don’t get me wrong; I love being an uncle, but you and Tom are giving bunnies a run for their money.”
“You love spoiling my kids, and it doesn’t look like you’ll have any of your own soon, so stop complaining.”
At Kendra’s taunt, Marcus yelled across the backyard, “Hey, Tom! How about you stay off your wife once in a while, huh? Maybe let her rest a little longer between kids?”
Tom was in the pool playing volleyball with some people. He turned at Marcus’ yell and gave him a toothy grin. “For the record, you got that backwards, bro, but piss off anyway.”
Everyone, including Kade and Lexie, cracked up.
“I hate you guys,” Kendra said and came to sit with Kade and Lexie. “I like the company over here much better.”
“Glad to have you,” Lexie said.
She smiled at them with a speculative gleam in her eyes that matched her brother’s. Kendra had a softer personality than Marcus, but in truth, she was no less nosey.
“So, any babies in your future, guys?”
Kade held his hand over Lexie’s head and pointed down at her. “Ask this one. She’s in charge of that department.”
Lexie gasped and punched his thigh. “We’vebothdecided that right now isn’t a good time. You have a new book contract, and have written shit bugger all, and I’m swamped at work. Getting pregnant now isn’t a good idea. Besides, we’re not even married yet.”
Kendra pounced. “Yet?Yet? Does that mean you’re engaged?” She turned to Kade. “Did you ask her again?” Back to Lexie. “Did you say yes?”
