Page 109 of Tangled Up

A smile is in his voice. “Always breaking the rules.”

“Well-behaved women never make history.”

“So I’ve heard.”

* * *

Beck

Four months later

“To making it official.” Greg holds up his soda and bitters.

We’re celebrating my unofficial bachelor party at Shipwrecked. The wedding is two days away, and I’ve packed up my apartment and given the keys to the realtor.

“It’s about damn time.” Asher slaps me on the back, holding up his beer. “To Beck’s farewell tour.”

“We finally got you all fixed up, and you’re leaving us.” Lars extends her vodka with a wink.

I’m holding my scotch aloft, feeling nostalgic. “To some of the best people I know, my great friends. Thanks for helping me launch this new venture.”

We toast, and Larsen slides her hand in the crook of my arm. Her hair is no longer in a severe bun, and she’s actually smiling. “I’m really glad to see you doing so well.”

“Heck, I’m glad to see you smiling this way. I mean, you know I loved the old, ball-busting Lars, but this is a good look for you. Dane must be the real deal.”

“He really is.” She blinks down and pink highlights her cheeks.

I don’t believe it.

“Damn, girl,” I chuckle. “You’ve got it bad.”

“And it’s so good.”

“Would you say Dane is great?” Her nose wrinkles, and I laugh. “Yeah, that was terrible.”

“An early wedding gift for you.” Asher passes me a large brown envelope, and I open it to find…

“The calendar.” Shaking my head, I turn the pages to see month after month of muscle-bound firemen. “It’s amazing how Meadow makes you all look so good.”

“I signed the first month to you.” He flips to January, and I have to laugh at his cocky inscription,To Becky, with love.

“To making it January all year.”

“Don’t go soft on me out there at the beach. I’ll have to drag your ass to Tampa for a round of stadiums.”

“Never again,” I groan. “You roped me into that shit for the last time. I almost had a heart attack.”

“I’ll get you one of those baby harnesses, and you can up the ante. Take the little one on a fun ride.”

“Not happening.”

Greg leans forward.“He got you, too? Hell, even my fingers were sore turning the dial in surgery the next day.”

“I’ll let Amanda know she’s in better shape than her baby boy.” Asher teases.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Greg takes a sip and lowers the glass, pointing his finger. “She’s a little sensitive about that.”

“I don’t know why she would be. She’s hot as fuck, and she doesn’t have to worry about you not being up for the job.”

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