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"I don't understand."
He smirks, his dark eyes lighting up. "You'll see."
15
Marsh
Two months later…
"Most romance novels end once the people get together and find their happily ever after," PJ says, looking around the deck a little nervously. He's the center of attention, and in the short space of time I've known him, I’ve learned that isn’t something he's very comfortable with.
His eyes meet Branum's, and the reassuring nod of his partner gives PJ the confidence to continue.
"But all of us." PJ looks at each of us sitting around Tal's and my dining room table. "Are proof thatlivingthe happily ever after is actually the best part."
"Amen to that." Branum raises his glass in the air. "I am so thankful I never have to go through all that awkward, initial dating stuff again. It's freaking torture."
"And by awkward dating stuff you mean stalking poor PJ here at the library?" Harrick teases.
"Fuck off," Branum growls before pulling PJ in for a kiss. "I wasn't stalking you, was I?" he asks his boyfriend.
"Yeah, you totally were. But I was into it. I knew what was happening."
"Oh, did you now?"
PJ giggles. "Uh, yeah. I would purposely pick books off the lower shelves before you'd get there just so I'd have to bend over and re-stack them in front of you."
Branum's mouth flies open, then he swipes his hand through PJ's red locks. "Aw, baby, that's so sweet."
I cover my mouth with my hand and lean over to Tal sitting next to me. "Sweet but gross," I say, loud enough for only him to hear.
He pinches my leg under the table. "Behave."
"I have no intention of behaving." I glance around to make sure my brothers and their partners aren't paying any attention to Tal and me. They're not, so I go on. "In fact, once these guys get outta here, you can cash in your birthday present."
Tal's brows shoot up. "I'd almost forgotten about that."
Tal's eyebrows lower. "Why do I suddenly feel my present has something to do with sex?"
I smirk. "Let's just say you're not the only one who can—"
"What are you two whispering about over there?" Harrick calls out, stopping me in my tracks.
"Groceries," I say with a straight face. "I think we're out of cereal."
"Bullshit," Harrick mutters with a smile. "You two. You look more and more in love every time we see you."
"And to think you guys were so clueless. We could all tell from the first family dinner, however many months ago that was now."
My heart warms at Branum's words.Family dinner.
Because, yeah, that's exactly what the six of us have become.
Family.
Tal is taking to quiet mountain life like a pro. He contacted a local art gallery, and they're going to sell some of his stills.
Branum, PJ, Tal, and I go for hikes every other weekend while the weather still allows for it, and PJ shows us a whole bunch of birds I'd never noticed before.
