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Harmony had grown up with money. It was in the clothes she wore, and I didn’t think she realized that had an impact on others who didn’t have the money to wear name brands, like Stevie. She had the newest phone model, rings on her fingers, and perfectly styled hair with the right products and sun-kissed highlights. But I also caught the other looks Stevie had cast in Harmony’s way.
Stevie was aware of how different she was from Will’s wife.
There was a disconnect between them. Harmony was yearning to be Stevie’s new mother and Stevie was throwing everything up between them to keep her away.
She held my gaze for a beat before moving her head up and down in a brisk nod with a coolness in her eyes. She didn’t care who I was.
That was fair. I forged ahead. “I lost my mom and brother the same week I lost my friend. The rest maybe you know. It’s better if you don’t, but I’ve been through things. I don’t know you, and I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I have no idea why you got it so wrong, thinking they want to send you back to your mother.” Her eyes flared at that last statement, but I continued, “But being as someone who just met you all, I can tell every adult in this room is crazy about you. Whatever you’re thinking, you got something twisted wrong. Are you not seeing how crazy they are about you? I mean, look.” I nodded to them. Will and Harmony stood together. Brett was slightly ahead, coming closer to me. All paused as Stevie turned, a slight frown on her face.
This was so totally not my place, but I guess I was going there anyway.
I stepped beside her, saying, “I’m fairly certain each one of them will shit themselves at the thought of you going back to wherever you say you won’t go.” Hearing Stevie giggle, just a little one, and she gasped almost right after, every cell in me relaxed.
Catching Harmony’s gaze, seeing the love literally swimming there, I moved close to Stevie and lowered my voice, “I had a great mom, and I lost her. Then I hit the mom lottery when I got a second chance at another great mom. She’s been my mom ever since, and that woman behind you? I am pretty sure she is bursting at the seams to try to be a great mom to you as well.” Stevie tensed, but I quickly added, “You do what you need, but I’m telling you. Every girl should get a chance at having a good mother. Or a woman who will love you like a mother. Those are just as great too.”
I stepped back, but I’d scored.
I could see it.
I got in there and I got Brett’s niece to start thinking, and when she looked Harmony’s way, I swear there was a shift. “Uncle.” She gave in with that one word, everyone heard it.
Brett caught her up in a hug first.
Will soon followed.
Harmony was last.
By that time, Brett joined me, tugging me so I stood in front of him and he looped an arm across my chest. I leaned back against him, and held onto his arm with my hands, half-tempted to prop my chin there to watch this moment.
Brett tugged me backwards, holding his hand up in a silent goodbye. Will tipped his chin up, his eyes finding mine and holding, a silent thank you to me. Reading it, I gave him a little nod, and he turned back to his wife and niece. No one else existed for them.
As soon as we were in the hallway, Brett swooped down, picking me up and carrying me to our room. “Goddamn.” He buried his head in my neck, nuzzling once we were through the door. His beard tickled me. “You helped in there. You have no idea. Thank you, Billie.” His voice broke off, and he wound his arms tighter around me.
He was in his feels.
So was I.
I gauged his mood. “Brett.”
“Hmmm?” He looked down, his eyes smiling. His hands flattened on my back, shoving up under my shirt.
That was a good enough sign for me.
I reached for his pants
“Wha—” His hands covered mine.
“Oh, no. This time, I’m the one getting you worked up. Let’s see how you like it. Now.” I stepped back. “Strip and get on the bed.”
55
BILLIE
Brett’s phone buzzed at some point during the night. He answered, rolling out of bed, but when I stirred, he touched my arm. “Go back to sleep.”
Since it was three in the morning and we’d been busy until two hours ago, I was happy to incline. As he was moving to the bathroom, I faded back out.
The next time I woke, Brett was slipping into bed behind me. The covers came back down, and his arm pulled me to his chest.
