Page 106 of Stay With Me Forever

Beck rolled his eyes. “It’s a manly chat. Complete with beer.”

Aunt Lori snorted. “Sure. But I’m just glad you three boys are getting along again. It’s about time.” She hugged me, then Beck, and finally Zach before sitting down on an empty stool. “So, West, when are you going to marry Emmy and have some more adorable great nieces and nephews for me to spoil?”

I’d been drinking my second beer at the time and choked. Eventually, I calmed down and looked at my aunt. “Why are you asking me? You should be bothering Beck and Sabrina.”

She grinned. “Oh, but I do. Don’t I, Beckie?”

At Beck’s exasperated look, I chuckled.

Then Aunt Lori looked at Zach. “It won’t be long for you either, lad. I can feel it.”

Zach never looked away from his beer bottle. “I don’t think so.”

Aunt Lori clicked her tongue. “We’ll see. But at least I’ll have nearly all of you together this weekend. Nolan’s going to stay a few weeks before heading out again. It’s the longest he’s agreed to stay in forever. Probably because of the rumors.”

I frowned. “Don’t tell me his ex is still stirring shit up.”

“Yes she is, the cow. I met her once, and she basically looked down at me the whole time, as if I were a peasant. At any rate, I plan to talk to Nolan and see if we can help him in any way.”

Beck muttered, “He’s a grown man and will ask when he’s ready.”

“Perhaps. But I promised your mom I’d do everything in my power to make you all happy, and I plan to see it through.” My aunt scrutinized me. “As for you, what happened? Was it the person at the door?”

I had wondered how long Aunt Lori would avoid asking.

After explaining what my in-laws had done, my aunt slapped her hand on the counter. “Well, they don’t know who they’ve messed with, have they? One Wolfe is stubborn, but all of us together? They don’t stand a chance.”

I was so touched that I didn’t dare say that Aunt Lori was a Wolfe by marriage. “Thanks.”

She placed a hand over mine, squeezed, and stood up. “But that’s enough about those awful people for tonight. Tomorrow’s a big day, so let’s have some ice cream to feel better, and then I’ll send you boys off to bed.”

Zach’s lips twitched. “You are aware, Aunt Lori, that we’re all grown-ass men? And with the exception of Sabrina sending Beck off to bed, me and West decide that on our own.”

Beck flipped him the bird.

Which only made Zach grin harder.

Aunt sniffed. “I know, lad. But I have some ulterior motives. Because if you guys eat some of the ice cream with me, then I won’t feel so guilty about it. Don’t you want to help your beloved auntie out?”

It was such an Aunt Lori thing to say that my brothers and I laughed. Beck answered. “Of course we will. It won’t be homemade ice cream, but let me see what we have.”

As we ate and shared stories about when we were boys, some of my tension eased. I knew I had a fucking uphill battle against my in-laws, but with my family at my back, it might not be as bad as it could be.

How I ever thought staying away was for the best, I had no fucking idea. But I wasn’t about to make that mistake twice.

ChapterThirty-Nine

Emilia

West:You killed it today.

Me:Just barely. But I must’ve impressed some people because Zara’s musician friend wanted my business card.

West:Soon you’ll have so many famous people wanting to book, you won’t know what to do with yourself.

Me:Maybe. I need smaller weddings in between, though. But I’m just happy it’s done. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow, here at my place?

West:Yes. I can’t wait to tell Avery and Wyatt. Getting them to sleep tomorrow night will be hell.

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