Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
“You wouldn’t,” Dom said with a chuckle. “That boy has you wrapped.”
“Happily,” Sven agreed, stroking a hand down his blond beard. “The subject of kids has only come up in passing, but it’s something I want.”
Quinn was pretty sure he and Shane weren’t the kids type, but he entertained the idea for a moment and found it did have its appeal. They’d have to move out of the one-bedroom condo they shared and loved like crazy, but it could be something to think about in the future.
“I never thought I’d be sitting around this office talking about Valentine’s Day,” Royce said. “We’ve all turned into a bunch of saps.”
“Ah, shut up.” Quinn shook his head. “I’ve heard all about that trip to Italy you took. Talk about romance!”
Royce huffed on his knuckles and rubbed them on his shirt, his grin smug. “It’s easy when you have a boyfriend who whisks you off on trips all over the world.”
Quinn was thrilled for his friend. Royce had been so unhappy before he’d fallen for his man. To see him sitting there, talking of romance and looking like he’d spent the whole night wrapped in Marc’s arms, was a huge change. Royce had a rough-as-hell past and deserved all the happiness.
But yeah, he had to admit, they were a bunch of saps, really. He looked around at his friends, all in great relationships, and had to smile. He wouldn’t change it for the world.
“So…wanna make a wager on it?” Dom asked. He looked around at his friends and waggled his eyebrows. “In a week, we compare stories. Winner of the most romantic Valentine’s Day gets the losers to buy him lunch all week.”
“Feeling cocky?” Sven said.
“Maybe I am. You can drop out, Sven. I get that babysitting isn’t exactly roses and candlelight.”
“Oh, I’m in. I can make even babysitting romantic.”
Royce pushed to his feet. “Bring it, Strawberry Shortcake.”
Dom flipped him off at the nickname and Quinn snickered. A perp who had attacked one of Dom’s clients used it once and it had stuck. “I’m in too,” he announced. He and Shane could be romantic, and he didn’t mind grabbing lunch with a friend.
2
The Escape Artist
“Are you sure you two are up to this?”
Geoffrey grinned at Sven’s sister, Alida, as she came into his house, hauling a toddler and a huge diaper bag.
“Up to watching the little one all night? Of course! How hard could it be?” Geoffrey took Reuben from her, surprised at how big he was getting. He smiled down at the two-year-old, who looked adorable in tiny jeans and a blue sweater. “And how is little Reuben today?”
“Hi!” Reuben yelled. Only it came out more like “ha.”
“That’s his favorite word. He doesn’t talk much, but that one stays on repeat.” She swung the diaper bag to her other shoulder. “Luckily, this isn’t one of his fussy days. He’s been fed, but he’ll probably want a snack again before you put him down for the night. Are you sure you and Sven don’t have Valentine’s plans?”
“Reuben is our plans.” He winked at her, once again taking in how much she looked like her brother, with her blonde hair and height. She wasn’t as tall as Sven—not many people were—but she still towered over Geoffrey, which wasn’t hard at five foot six. “Besides, I understand you have quite the night planned with your husband.”
“Well, since you guys agreed to keep Reuben all night, I do. I’m going to romance the shit out of him.”
Geoffrey wrinkled his nose. “That sounds pleasant.”
She laughed and walked toward the living room and he followed. Sven, his long hair loose about his face, came to him and smiled down at Reuben, who instantly held up his arms to his uncle. Sven snatched him up and lifted him high until he started giggling.
Geoffrey and Sven had been living together for a year and a half now, and he would never tire of watching Sven play with his nephew. He’d never tire of watching Sven, period. His big, blond Viking was beautiful. He loved living with him, waking with him—doing everything with him. And agreeing to take his nephew for Valentine’s to give Alida a break was a no-brainer for Geoffrey. He was pretty damn attached to Sven’s entire family, too.
Besides, once the baby was down, they could do a little romancing of their own.
“Okay, so everything you could need is in this bag, including his sippy cup and more juice. Let me just put that in the fridge.”
“We got it,” Geoffrey said as he took the bag from her. “It’ll be fine. This isn’t our first time with the little guy. We’ve got this. Don’t worry.”
“Okay then, I won’t.” Alida kissed her brother’s cheek and started back toward the front door. She stopped at the entrance to the foyer. “By the way, we call him our escape artist for a reason. Have fun!” With that, she left. Though Geoffrey could have sworn he heard her chuckle echo down the hall before the door shut.