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When we get out of the truck, I smile at the sight of Hudson directing Ashe’s team in my absence. The guys have all taken a very heavy interest in the building of the bar and the details of how it will be run. It’s something that’s extremely close to my heart which makes it as important to them as it is to me.
Walking up behind him, I call out his name to let him know we’re there. “I am so sorry we’re late. I had another glare off with my shoes,” I admit sheepishly. “Thank you for stepping in for me.”
“That’s okay, Lay. I could have done this myself while you stayed home and rested. I know your hips have been killing you lately,” Hudson responds lovingly, stroking a finger across my cheek.
Rolling my eyes with a sigh, I give him the same annoyed look I’ve given all of them for the past week and a half since I first mentioned my discomfort. “I am not on bed rest and I need to move around right now to help with the discomfort. You know this, you stood over my shoulder during the call you forced me to make to my OB’s office. Being at the bar brings me joy. Please, let me have this.”
“Okay, okay.” Hudson puts his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, Lay. I just worry about you and I don’t want you in unnecessary pain.”
“Thank you for always looking out for me. That said, you do need to trust that I can set my own limits based on how I feel. You can love me and want to protect me while also allowing me to be my own person.”
Hudson exhales and nods, the sad expression on his face making me feel like I just kicked his puppy. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Lay.”
Adam walks up to us with my bag I forgot in the car, clapping Hudson on the shoulder in comfort. “You just get reamed out by our girl? It's okay, dude. She did reamed me out today too. Her fiery side is out today.”
Adam winks at me then kisses my cheek when he notices my unimpressed expression. "What? I like your fiery independent side. It's even better when it's directed at someone else. I was just showing solidarity with Riggs."
“Adam,” I groan, pointing at the open door of the bar. “Please go inside. You’re not making this better.”
Adam mimics zipping his lips with wide eyes, spinning around and walking backwards into the bar to keep staring at us like a lunatic. Hudson chuckles under his breath and grabs my hand, slowly pulling me into him. I fall against his chest, breathing in deeply as he wraps me tightly in his arms. Well, as tightly as he can safely do with my beach ball belly of babies.
After a few minutes, I drop my arms to signal the end of the hug and pull back to look at him. “I guess I should head in and actually do some work. Ashe needs these invoices and I need to figure out what time Poppy is available to sit down to chat about beer.”
Hudson laughs, the most carefree sound he’s made in what feels like forever. “I’m excited to see what you and Poppy come up with for the first rounds of brewing.”
“I am, too. I have an entire binder at home with information on brewing different kinds of craft beers and some ideas that have been bouncing around my head while I struggle to sleep at night,” I say, a huge smile on my face from excitement. “Poppy is going to give me the insider tips for the best ingredient suppliers and tips for making the best brews every time.”
“That’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to sit and do all the taste testing,” Hudson murmurs, kissing my forehead.
“Count me in, as well!” Rhys’ voice comes from behind me. Turning around, I see him standing there with a smile and a bouquet of flowers. “I’m always ready to try whatever you concoct.”
“Rhys, what are you doing here?” I ask in surprise, taking the flowers from his outstretched hands. “Don’t take that the wrong way, I’m very happy you’re here. I’m just surprised as well.”
Rhys steps closer, kissing me softly. “I’ve been missing you. I knew you would be here with Riggs and Adam today. I feel like all I’ve been doing is working non-stop for the past month, so I took the rest of the day off and tomorrow off to spend time with you.”
“I missed you, too.” My eyes get misty with the rush of happy emotions flooding me. These damn hormones from growing humans have me all sappy and more emotional than ever. “I’m glad to have you all with me today.”
“Even me? The one you kicked inside?” Adam asks, sticking his head out the door with a grumpy pout.
“Even you, Adam.” I laugh, sniffing my bouquet of flowers with a soft smile.
Having all three of them here with me in my bar, helping and supporting my dream is exactly the stress relief the doctor ordered. Until it happened, I didn’t know that this is what I needed, but it is. The three people who mean the most to me in the entire world, all laughing and joking around, reminds me of everything good in the world. This is what I need to protect; My family.
Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Alayna
“I’mnotready,”Isay to Rhys, standing behind me in the mirror. I smooth my hands down the black dress I picked out for the bar opening tonight. “What if I fail? What if I can’t do this?”
“Why do you think you can’t do this, Kitty Cat?” Rhys transforms into Declan, staring at me with a soft smile. “You can do anything you set your mind to. You always could.”
Tears fill my eyes at the sight of him. “How are you here?”
Declan turns me to face him, his curly dark hair falling over his forehead. He’s not young Dec from my flashbacks, but adult Declan. He looks exactly the same as he did in his picture used for his funeral.
The pain hits me sharply in the chest as the realization that he’s not actually here washes over me. This is a dream and he’s only a figment of my imagination.
