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She moves into the house, retreating into the bedroom. I watch her go with a dull ache in the pit of my stomach. I want everything with this woman, and it figures that my family has already fucked it up before I even get a chance to prove to her that we could have something special.

Hurrying to the library where the air still smells of sex, I grab my phone and send a text to the group chat. I’m talking to Roman, the guy who believes stalking a woman is the way to her heart. Get hacker to research terms of Drew’s marriage.

Roman: Expensive.

Me: Don’t care. My wife is worth it.

As soon as I send the message, I realize that I didn’t tell my friends I got married yesterday. They’re likely to have a million questions, the gossiping old women. I shut my phone off, so I don’t have to answer them.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I can dodge their questions. Because an hour later, the three of them show up on my porch.

Cadence answers the door before I can stop her, and they stare at her without a word. They’re big, burly guys, but she doesn’t back down. Instead, she gives them a smile. I hate it when she smiles at other men. She should only be allowed to smile at me. That needs to be one of the terms of our marriage. “We’re not buying anything today.”

Each of them holds something. Nash has a cake. Trace has one of his metal art pieces. Roman has a dish set with a bright red bow on it. That’s when I realize the guys are groomed. They’ve brushed their beards and put on real clothes and made an actual effort.

“Friends,” I manage the word to Cadence, so she doesn’t keep thinking they’re here to sell her something.

“What does his wife look like?” Nash asks.

“Real pretty.” Roman gives her a wolfish smile, and I know the bastard. He’s trying to irritate me. He’s not interested in anyone but that petite girl down at the auto shop.

She glances at me, clearly not sure what to make of the group.

I shake my head to let her know they’re joking.

“She’s a ten,” Trace answers, getting in on the jabs. I’m going to kill these motherfuckers as soon as we’re out of Cadence’s sight.

Her blush deepens. Dammit, I want to be the only reason she ever blushes.

“We brought wedding gifts,” Nash says. “We can give them to you here in the freezing cold…”

I summon my words, searching for the way to tell them to fuck off. Figures the most important expression in the world would evade me at a moment like this.

“Oh, that’s sweet. Come in.” Cadence gestures for them to step into the living room.

“Two steps up,” Roman reminds them. He’s used to being the eyes when the four of us go hiking on the mountain.

Nash gets it easy enough. He’s blind but his cane lets him figure things out pretty quick. It’s Trace that takes a second longer to manage it. He can see, but his hip and leg are messed up. He doesn’t walk right. Just sort of teeters everywhere he goes. Best I’ve managed to put together, he was in a childhood accident that affected his ability to walk. He’s in pain most of the time, but I’ve never seen the man complain. No matter how far we hike.

He’s the first to offer his gift to her, a horse sculpture made of metal. He shoves it at her, only grunting, “Wedding gift.”

She beams at him. “This is beautiful. I collect horses.”

Nash offers the cake. “Figured food is always a safe bet.”

“It is,” she confirms with a soft smile. This is what I love about this woman. She’s kind and gracious, accepting my friends with ease. I could never imagine my family accepting these rough guys without a raised eyebrow or sarcastic remark.

“Can’t eat food without dishes,” Roman adds, passing her the box with his gnarled hands. He started a construction company after getting out of prison and he used to do a lot of the work himself. But the arthritis that’s attacked his hands mean he’s stuck managing most of the projects now instead of building things like he loves.

“That’s an excellent point,” she says. “Why don’t I cut into this, and we’ll have some slices?”

I grunt my disapproval at her offer. I want all of her attention and her time.

Roman and Trace exchange a look. Nash rubs the back of his neck. “We don’t want to impose now.”

She waves them into the kitchen, telling them to follow her. She counts out the steps for Nash when he asks her to then she helps him navigate the kitchen by using his clock face example. Their voices float in from the other room and it amazes me how easily she’s taken to him.

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