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She pants out something between a moan and a laugh at my teasing. “I almost believe you. But maybe we should do it one more time so you canreallypersuade me…oh. Yeah. Just like that.”
I thrust deep once more and Harlow’s sentence melts into a moan. As we rock and grind, she clings to me, yet it feels as if she has fewer walls between us. Sex is one place we’ve always been in sync, and today we’re even more together than yesterday.
Afterward, we realize we’re running way behind if we’re going to host her family for dessert at eight. But a quick shower becomes a quickie in the shower instead. I’m dressed and hauling ass downstairs as Harlow fiddles with a round brush and a blow dryer. The doorbell rings.
I open it to find Maxon and Keeley wearing big smiles and carrying a bottle of sparkling white grape juice and a carrot-pineapple bread with icing. Britta and Griff are right behind them with a passionfruit tea she recently discovered and chocolate Chantilly cake. After hugs all around, we set up in the family room. With everything they brought and the banana bread pudding Harlow made early this morning, I’m likely to end the evening in a sugar coma. I’m okay with that.
Before we cut into anything, Harlow runs back upstairs and returns clutching two large bags, then hands one to each of her sisters-in-law.
“What’s this?” Keeley asks with delight.
“Just a little something to say congratulations.” Harlow smiles.
She’s fond of her sisters-in-law, and I see the gracious woman I’ve come to know, not the sad one who’s envious and torn and defeated. Harlow is kind and thinks of others. Sure, she’s human. I understood her hurt last night. I’m glad to see her on an even keel today. I’m even more relieved she hasn’t changed her mind about the wedding or the baby. I hope some of that—whether that’s her resolution or just me—is making her happy.
“You didn’t have to get us—” Britta gasps. “Wait! Are you… Are you wearing an engagement ring on your finger?”
Harlow glances my way, and I grin at the crowd. “As a matter of fact, she is. I asked and she said yes.”
Both Keeley and Britta jump to their feet, gifts forgotten as they share the joy of Harlow’s good news with hugs. Maxon and Griff both shake my hand.
“You sure you want to do this?” Maxon teases. “My sister isn’t easy to handle.”
“She’s not. But she keeps life interesting.”
Griff shakes his head. “Said no man who wanted to stay sane ever.”
I laugh and they welcome me into the family with a hearty backslap before turning to embrace Harlow.
“Congrats, little sister,” Griff says with all sincerity.
“Thanks. I’ll consider myself smarter than you since it didn’t take me years to figure out that I should marry him.”
“Yes, but I didn’t almost walk down the aisle with the wrong person, sister dear. That was one hell of a wedding…”
“Yeah,” Maxon agrees. “I love YouTube. I can see Simon’soh-shitface over and over. The moment he realizes he’s completely screwed and publicly humiliated is particularly sweet.”
“You never liked him.” Harlow rolls her eyes.
“Nope,” her older brother confirms. “Wanted to punch his boring, average face when we met because he wasn’t there for you.”
Griff nods in agreement. “Douche extraordinaire.”
“Not to mention Dad’s lap dog.” Maxon grimaces. “You didn’t need that.”
I’m guessing they don’t feel that way about me or they would be sporting more scowls than smiles.
“I’ll do my best to make your sister happy,” I promise as I slide my arm around her and pull her close.
“But you could help,” Harlow insists, then slants a glance at me. “Noah and I haven’t had time to talk about anything except a wedding date but…Maxon, I hope you and Keeley would let us have the ceremony at your place, on the beach where you and Griff both tied the knot. Is that okay?”
She seems to be asking me as much as she’s asking her brother and his wife. They’re enthusiastic, and I’m good with whatever she wants and whatever makes her happy.
“Absolutely,” Keeley answers for them. “We’d love to host your wedding there. Maybe we’ll make getting married on our lawn a new Reed family tradition.”
Harlow laughs, then turns to me. “What do you say?”
“Sure, baby. I don’t care so much where we get married as long as we do.”
