Page 145 of Intense
Stephanie freezes, just for a second, then hugs her back.
“I always knew you two didn’t really hate each other,” Hallie says, looking directly at me.
“Is that so?” I ask.
She nods. Hallie’s been under my wing since her father died in my O.R. Great nurse. Better wife to Conan. She’s perfect for him, and everyone can see it, including me.
Declan and Charlotte are both sizing us up. Declan’s got that disappointed dad look, like he’s about to start lecturing.
“How long have you been married?” Charlotte asks carefully, biting her lip and avoiding my eyes.
“Charlotte,” I warn, “spit it out.”
She’s a trained assassin with a heart too soft for this world, until someone threatens her family. Then the darkness resurfaces.
A slow smile spreads across Charlotte’s face. “I think you’re fucking with us.”
My turn to grin. I pull my arm from Stephanie’s waist and hold up my tattooed ring finger.
“Finn,” Declan hisses.
Not sure what reaction I was expecting from them, but this whole thing’s turning into a circus.
“Vegas. A few weeks ago. We were slightly drunk, yes. But now she’s come to her senses and stopped begging me to annul it.”
I feel her glare burning into the side of my head.
Conan scratches his jaw. “So… are you a couple? Or just fucking? I’m confused.”
Hallie smacks his arm.
I glance down at my wife. She’s fighting a smile.
“What are we, wife?” I ask.
“We’re something not many people can comprehend,” she says, her voice confident.
I like that answer.
Wearedifferent.
“Are we done with the grilling? I’d like a drink and to see my nephews.”
“Steph! Come sit with us, we have a lot to catch up on!” Hallie links arms with her, dragging her away from me.
I stay put, hands in my pockets, watching as the three of them head over to Lily with the kids. I’ve never seen Stephanie with friends outside the hospital—she’s a lone wolf. Like I’d be without my brothers.
But that smile on her face? She likes this. It looks natural. And fuck… when Hallie hands her baby Liam to hold, my heart skips.
I need to start tracking her cycle. Because I want that.
Declan holds out a whiskey in front of my nose. “What the hell’s happened to you?” he asks low.
I take the glass. “What do you mean?”
I don’t take my eyes off her.
“Since when do you fall in love? You didn’t like her five minutes ago; now you’re married? Looking at her like you’re about to drop to your knees for her.”
