She completed us in ways I never recognized we’d lacked in, and I would choose her all over again, every single day for the joy she’d brought to every moment.
Skylar took medication to help with her ADHD, and even though her ability to focus and hyperactivity had gotten better, her chattering hadn’t slowed one bit.
So yeah, I still needed my silence some days, but both of us understood because I opened my mouth and communicated so as not to hurt feelings.
And Sky, being the angel she was, never once tried to invalidate my emotions or say I was the one with a problem. Relationships sure as fuck weren’t easy, but listening and trying to understand how the others felt made for a more peaceful existence.
Swells and waves played over the ocean behind us in soothing, rhythmic motions, and same as the last time I’d considered life while glancing over her beauty, I contemplated what lay beneath, hidden from sight.
Restless depths full of the unknown, unnamed creatures that didn’t have a chance of surviving outside their hiding places.
I’d done exactly as the Pacific once upon a time, and I breathed in the freedom Skylar had helped me find. No longer did I fear the depths of unidentified feelings. Learning to appreciate each and every one, allowing proper responses, had offered me personal growth I never would have attained otherwise.
I was no saint, and all three of us had plenty of areas we could grow in, but it came easier when we set aside our selfishness and chose love.
The official ceremony concluded, setting the first part of my plan in stone.
But I had to let go of my control and leave the rest of our future and possible children up to fate since they were out of my hands.
And I was actually okay with that fact.
SKYLAR
Long after our small group of friends and family left the reception we’d had at our house, Ash, Rhett, and I sat out on the patio, watching stars wink in and out between the clouds.
My parents had flown in for the wedding and were staying with Nora who’d come back from a weeklong mini vacation to Australia to visit the kangaroos. She hadn’t fallen in love like I’d dreamed about happening, but a healthy flush had made her appear happier than I’d ever seen her.
As for our mom and dad, neither complained about my loving two men. Dad had puffed up with pride while walking me down the sandy makeshift aisle, happy that the two men he handed me off to saw me as an angel rather than annoyance like my ex had.
Mom had sat with tears in her eyes while we’d said our vows, but I knew that smile on her face came from the fact we were trying for babies and lots of them.
Okay, so just three, but still.
Nora didn’t want love or kids, so it was up to me to relieve her grandkid itch. Something I couldn’t wait to do.
Ashton rubbed his thumb over the band on my ring finger, and I snuggled deeper into Rhett’s chest, thankfulness swelling inside my heart.
We’d bought a huge lounger for beside the pool, wide enough for two, perfect for my sprawling atop them both. That seat saw more action than any furniture in the house besides our bed.
There wasn’t much better than making love out in the open air where only nature—and possibly drones—might see us. But all it ever took was a toe-curling kiss from either Ashton or Rhett to cause my inhibitions to flee.
“So I have one more wedding present,” Ashton said, “and it’s for both of you—upstairs. In our room.”
I snickered even as arousal rose to life between my thighs.
Rhett stood, keeping me in his arms. “Lead the way, baby.”
Red stained Ashton’s cheeks when we stepped into the brightly lit living room. The man definitely had something up his sleeve since he rarely flushed like I did on a daily basis.
A million ideas flew through my mind, each and every one I ticked off my list, same as we’d done for all my real-life fantasies. Whatever I’d wanted, blurted in suggestion about our sex life, they’d been happy to satisfy.
What had been left untouched? What had I forgotten?
I puzzled as Rhett’s sure steps climbed the stairs, the added weight of my body seeming no matter to him.
God, he had such thick thighs. I loved grasping hold of them whenever he thrust into me. Even better was watching the muscles ripple beneath his skin every time he made love to Ashton.
Rhett set me on my feet beside our bed, and Ashton went to their closet.