“But you were happy before she got here.”
“Was I?” I asked. “I was going through the motions, sure. But really living? Not even close.” I glanced at Nat. It might have only been a few weeks, but my entire world had changed since she arrived.
Natalie placed her hand in mine, squeezed, then looked at my sister. “We’ve both just been going through the motions of life. And I know it’s not what you want to hear, Beth, but Ash is it for me. You remember when we were little and we used to talk for hours about our husbands and our weddings? And you would bug me about Prince Charming not being real?”
“Yeah.” Beth nodded.
“He’s real,” Natalie whispered.
I looked over and Nat’s eyes were filled with so much love. My chest tightened. I couldn’t help myself I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. Screw what my sister might think.
“Really?” Beth asked. “Ash is Prince Charming?”
“One hundred percent,” Natalie agreed.
“I’ve always been there for you, Beth. Nat and I being together doesn’t change that. If anything it just means you have one more person in your corner on the daily.” I looked at my little sister. “You deserve to be happy. But so do I. And Nat makes me happy.”
Beth stared at us both for several seconds. Really studying us. “So, this is the real deal?”
“It’s the real deal.” I nodded.
Beth tilted her head to the side as she looked at me. “I thought you said the whole fairytale happily ever after thing was made up to sell tickets.”
“You said that?” Natalie accused, then slapped my arm jokingly.
I shrugged. “That was before you came around.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Good answer. But don’t worry, I believe in the fairytale enough for both of us. Besides, I’ve made a whole career on the fantasy. Now I get to live it.”
“Well, shit,” Beth grumbled.
“What?” I turned and looked at her.
“How the hell am I supposed to be mad about you being together when you are all syrupy sweet and gross together?”
I smirked at her. “You’re not.”
“Does this mean you’re okay with us?” Nat asked.
“I suppose I have to be.” Beth’s face softened. “I do like the idea of having you nearby all the time.”
“Me too,” Natalie replied.
“And I really like the idea of you owing me one,” Beth said, waggling her eyebrows at me.
“Owing you one? How do you figure? I think the scale is still firmly tipped in my favor on that one.” I shook my head at her. “Or even at the very least, since we both dated each other’s friend.”
Nat’s hand clasped my arm. “Take the win, big guy,” she teased.
I grinned at her. “Fine.”
“Speaking of owing me one,” Beth began, “I might need a little loan to cover daycare this month.”
And we’re back. That didn’t take long at all. “Loan?”
“Well, loan that I don’t pay back. But Brady and Charity will pay you in love and hugs, and D might even let you win at video games when you play as a thank you.”
“Might let me win? Huh. I kicked his ass fair and square last time.”
