Epilogue
“Timmy wants to thank you all for coming to his party,” said Hazel, bouncing her one-year-old on her lap. His new gifts were spread out on the grass in their backyard. The blue sky was filled with fluffy blue clouds, the sun beaming down on the birthday party as birds flew to the hanging feeder on the fence.
Lottie smiled at Timmy as he grabbed all the wrapping paper as cheers and clapping filled the air.
Seated on the grass in front of them were a handful of grown men putting toys together. Lottie couldn’t stop her laughter at Hunt, who practically scowled at the instructions of the water toy he was trying to assemble.
“These aren’t right,” Hunt finally grumbled. “Why give instructions if they’re wrong?”
Rhys cursed.
“Hey!” Zoey gave him a light slap on the back and said, “Language.”
He blew her a kiss. Then pressed another one to her round belly.
Of all the women at Timmy’s first birthday party, Lottie and Nessa were the only ones not pregnant. Except for Hazel, but she had a one-year-old, so that didn’t count. Both Zoey and Elise were in their second trimesters.
Lottie touched her stomach, wondering what that would be like. When she caught Hunt’s gaze on her stomach and his knowing smile, she waved him off. She hadn’t really considered kids, but she felt ready, more than ever, to at least have the conversation.
For now, she was just happy she was Lottie Walker. A few months ago, they had a destination wedding in Aruba. Everyone they loved was there, including Hunt’s wonderful parents who were the easiest people to love. The week away was full of happy memories.
As odd as it all was, Lottie realized that at every stage of her life, she seemed to have a new name, and a new life, but this one was certainly her favorite. The only name that mattered now. The only name that would ever matter again.
“Wow, you put that together fast,” Nessa said to Ronan, who built a slide.
He suggestively winked at her. “You should see what else I’m good at, sweetheart.”
Lottie fought off her laughter as Nessa blushed all the way up to her eyeballs, quickly turning away.
“You shouldn’t tease her like that,” Lottie said snippily to Ronan.
He rose, brushing dirt off his knees. “Who says I’m teasing?”
Lottie folded her arms, narrowing her eyes, looking for any sign that Ronan was just playing around. He was a good guy—a very good guy. But Nessa was Nessa, and Lottie wouldn’t let anything, or anyone, hurt her. She pointed at Ronan. “Take a wrong step, and I’ll pluck out your fingernails one by one.”
“Damn, Lottie, that’s cold,” Ronan said with a laugh. “Hate to break it to you, I’m a Seal. I’ve gone through torture training.”
Lottie just smiled, all teeth. “Yeah, but you’ve never been tortured by a woman hell-bent on protecting her best friend.”
Ronan chuckled again and saluted. “Warning heard loud and clear, ma’am.”
Lottie finally relented and nodded at him before giving Hunt one final look as he struggled with the toy. She turned away but suddenly got bumped as Elise booked it into the house, her hand covering her mouth.
“Shit,” Archer sputtered, lunging to his feet and running after her.
“Language,” Zoey called.
God, Lottie loved this group of people. She couldn’t imagine spending her life surrounded by anyone else—her found family. Though she pitied Elise who hadn’t only had morning sickness, she had entire pregnancy sickness.
Lottie cleared the used paper plates on her way to Nessa and then tossed them into the garbage. Nessa stood near the backdoor, cleaning off the picnic table. She’d fit so seamlessly into this group of friends, sometimes Lottie forgot that she wasn’t a Phoenix member now.
“You have to stop reacting to him teasing you like that,” Lottie told her quietly, keeping the conversation private. “It’s why he does it. He likes watching you blush.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t help it,” Nessa said, still pink cheeked. “Have you looked at him?”
Lottie glanced over her shoulder. Ronan was now assembling the next toy. “Sure, he’s pretty hot.”
“Hot?” Nessa asked, aghast. “That man melts my bones. He’s not hot. He’s molten fire.”
