Page 126 of The Fake Mate

“It is,” I assure her.

“We will not let either of them intimidate us into having babies this soon.”

“We won’t,” I answer, crossing my fingers behind my back. Idon’t have to tell her I’m not as opposed to the idea as she is. “It’s going to befine.”

“I’m always worried your mother secretly hates me because of all the fake mate stuff,” she admits quietly.

“My mother might like you more thanmebecause of the fake mate stuff,” I snort. “She kind of thinks you’re the most badass woman she’s ever heard of.”

“Right.” She looks determined, her nose wrinkling. “Right. Iamthe most badass woman she’s ever heard of.”

I chuckle under my breath, leaning to kiss her temple. “You are,” I encourage. “And besides...” My fingers drift down from her nape, the tip of my index finger circling the dark imprint of my teeth that hasn’t yet begun to fade. It makes me feel a myriad of emotions every time I see it, knowing that it matches the one she gave me, that it means she’ll be with me for the rest of our lives. I duck to kiss her there as she shivers. “It isn’t fake anymore.”

Mackenzie smiles up at me, reaching to squeeze my hand, and I wonder idly if she realizes that she holds the entirety of my being in the palm of hers.

“No,” she answers quietly. “No, it isn’t.”

I still don’t know if Mackenzie believes in fate, but one thing is for certain.

Isure as helldo.

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