Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Excuse me, I didn’t know,” Wren interrupted, tone indignant. “Although, I should have considered the evidence more closely.”
“Exactly.” John flopped back against the couch. “I’ll get over not knowing. And the cringe of my dad dating my sister’s father-in-law. But don’t expect me to cheer.”
“Fair.” I patted his knee. I’d known John enough years to understand that what he needed most was time and space to process.
“I’m not sure cheer is the right word.” Maren’s tone was more thoughtful as she rocked the baby. “But you deserve having someone in your life you care about.”
“Thank you.” My voice was as thick as John’s had been.
“And you could have chosen worse.” Rowan grinned.
“Thank you, Rowan.” Maren rolled her eyes as most of the room laughed. The noise startled the baby, who let out an angry cry.
“Meeting adjourned?” John stood up. “No offense, but baby sounds hungry. And it’s a snow day, maybe my last one ever.”
“Okay.” I let all my conflicting emotions reflect in my voice. “I love you.”
“I love you both as well.” Maren moved to stand as Magnus and Diesel rushed to assist her. “I’m going to return to my bed nest to see if Destiny wants to eat.”
“Be sure to log the feeding!” Wren called after her as Diesel helped Maren and the baby down the hall.
“Coffee.” Rowan glided toward the kitchen, motioning for Wren to follow. “Come on. Let’s see if there’s bacon.”
And just like that, the room was down to Magnus and me. Taking a page from John’s book, I flopped next to him on the couch.
“Well, I guess that could have gone worse.”
“It could have.” Magnus’s expression was surprisingly solemn, eyes dark and serious.
“You okay?” I asked, shifting to peer more closely at him.
He released a heavy sigh. “There’s a lot riding on this working out.”
“There already was,” I pointed out.
“True. You’ve had my heart a while now.” Magnus offered a crooked smile.
“Likewise. And I’ll try to be gentle with yours.” I put an arm around him, gratified when he relaxed against me.
“I guess I need to take my own advice and hope for the best.”
“That’s all we can do.” I squeezed his shoulder. I felt lighter now that the family knew, and I could only hope Magnus found similar peace as we figured out what being an actual couple looked like for us.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Magnus
“When are you going to date Eric?” Diesel asked in a low whisper as he carefully set the swaddled baby into her portable crib in the kitchen where I’d been prepping chili for dinner tomorrow for him, Maren, and the rest of the household.
“What do you mean? We’ve been dating a few weeks now.” I remembered the awkward family meeting from the day after Destiny arrived all too well. And now the baby and our official coupledom were two weeks old, which meant the weird flutter in my chest could stop any time now.
“You’re still sneaking around.” Diesel patted the baby as she snuffled her way back to sleep. And he was right. Any alone time I’d had with Eric since the baby’s arrival had been late at night, our usual movie routine with a few clandestine cuddles thrown in. It was familiar and comforting to stick to what had worked all these months, but from the way Diesel shook his head, he didn’t agree. “Sure, everyone knows you guys are together, but you jump every time he touches you in front of one of us.”
“I’m scared of messing this thing up,” I confessed to the one person who might get it.
“Trust me, I get that. Been there.” Diesel sounded older and wiser these days. “But playing it safe has never been your style. Eric likes you, not this weirdly cautious cardboard version you’ve been lately.”
“Point taken.” I sighed, hating that he was right. I was trying so hard not to screw up that I was undoubtedly doing exactly that as a result. Eric hadn’t complained, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed. “Maybe we need a date night.”
“And for you to relax.” Diesel nodded, heading toward the basement door with a dopey grin. “Right now, though, I have a nap date with my wife, so you’ll have to brainstorm on your own.”
“Go rest.” Chuckling, I waved him away and gave the sleeping baby a stern stare. “Sorry, Destiny. You’re stuck with me, and we’re going to make sure they get at least a solid three-hour block of sleep. Which means dealing with my bad taste in music.”
A few nights ago, I discovered the baby liked thumping bass, and I was willing to try whatever it took to allow Maren and Diesel more rest. Playlist set and chili bubbling on the stove, I wandered over to the fridge that housed Wren’s charts for the baby, along with varied calendars and schedules for the household.