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“As long as it’s not that damn balloon arch.” Sloan chuckles, rolling her eyes at me.
I kind of insisted that she and I could do this mega over-the-top design ourselves instead of letting Lo pay to have it done. Let’s just say, we were up till two a.m. this morning perfecting that thing. But hey… it's super freaking cute.
“He’s really not that bad… you and him just need to bang and get it out of your systems,” I say to Ava, because the tension between the two of them is unbelievably noticeable. They have that type of chemistry that could either be toxic as fuck or explosive in the best way.
“Wes and I agree. We may or may not have a bet going on involving you two.”
Ava gasps. “Have the two of you forgotten I have a boyfriend?”
“Also…” She hesitates before murmuring, “Been there, done that.”
Mic-freaking-drop.
“Shut the fuck up!” I wheeze.
“Did I just hear you correctly?” Sloan asks with the same shocked look on her face, right as my bedroom door swings open.
“Q… oh, hey.” Eli’s brow pinches as he takes in the looks on each of our faces. “I don’t even want to know what the hell I just walked in on.” He shakes his head at us, all too aware of the shenanigans we are capable of. “I was just looking for Quinn. People will be here any minute, babe.”
“Okay, I just need to change my shirt.”
Eli waggles his eyebrows, and Sloan reaches for Ava, pulling her out the door.
“You’ve got some explaining to do later… don’t think we will forget it either, Ava,” I say pointedly as they walk out the door.
“Parker?” Eli questions once they are gone.
“Yeah, there is definitely something else going on with them,” I say, moving up on my tip-toes to kiss him.
“I’ve missed you… it's been a busy morning.”
Running his fingers through my loose curls, he says, “I’ve missed you too, baby. I can’t believe our girls are one today.”
“Me either.” I take a step back toward the bed where the shirt lays perfectly, waiting on me.
Eli comes over, resting his head over my shoulder to see what I’m looking at so intently.
“This ain’t Mama’s first rodeo.” He reads the cute saying printed across the front.
“It was so sweet of Lo to think of me, but I…”
“Queenie, you deserve to wear that shirt… not only are you the one woman they have ever called that, but you show up for them every single day and not because you have to, but because you want to.”
A tear I’ve been containing all morning slips out of the corner of my eye at his sweet words. And in true Eli fashion, he kisses it away.
“Now come on, baby… there’s a party we need to get to. And Daddy’s looking forward to seeing Mama’s practice ride on that bull before the real rodeo later tonight.” Waggling his eyebrows, he gives me a smack on the butt. “Back in this very room.”
Eli Barton—heart-melting one minute and panty-melting the next.
* * *
Eli
“Happy birthday, dear Addy and Sophie, happy birthday to you!”
Holding Addy while Quinn has a firm grip on Sophie, we lean over the table and help the girls blow out their candles. Cameras flash all around us, accompanied by loud cheers.
My eyes well with tears. I can't believe my baby girls are one. Even though this year has been one of the hardest years of my life. It’s also brought me so much happiness.
