What About Now (Everlasting Ink #4)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Maddox

I’ve been looking forward to today. Not because I get to hang out with my best friends, who are also my business partners, and their families. Not even because my guy Forrest is falling hard and fast for the single mom of twin girls. And not just because Roman’s daughter, Lilly, is getting older, and she’s sure to be a ball of fun, and Uncle Maddox is here for it. All of that is a bonus. But today, I’m looking forward to seeing her.

Brogan Pearce.

She’s all tanned legs, and big green eyes. Those cutoff jean shorts she’s wearing ought to be illegal. Thankfully, I’m wearing dark sunglasses to hide the fact that I can’t stop watching her. It’s like this every single time we all get together. It’s as if I have no control over my eyes, as they drift toward her time and time again.

Just Brogan.

She’s all I can see.

Hell, for the first time in my life, she’s all I want to see.

I’ve been around beautiful women. She’s not the first, but she is the first I can’t seem to be able to look away from. I don’t know what it is about Brogan, but I can’t get enough . I gravitate toward her every single time.

But it’s complicated.

First of all, Forrest is head over ass for her twin sister, Briar. They’re taking things slow, but we can all see it: they’re endgame. Then you have me. I’ve never had a serious relationship.

I’ve never wanted one.

There has never been someone who has come into my life to make me think about more.

Until now.

Until Brogan.

I’ve been biding my time, getting to know her at the same time as everyone else, but to me, it’s more. She’s more. That’s why, as I sit here on this blanket, staring up at the fireworks display, I reach over and link her fingers through mine. It’s dark, and no one is paying any attention to us. She stiffens but doesn’t try to pull away. I take that as a good sign. I need to remember to do something special for Rayne and River. My little wing ladies who helped me gain this spot on their aunt’s blanket.

I’d give anything to be able to hold Brogan, not just her hand. The moment feels right, and suddenly, I have clarity.

I want more, but only with her. I want to know her dreams, her fears, and everything in between. I want her in my arms on nights like tonight, hell, every night. Is this what the guys felt like when they found their girls? Is this what Forrest is going through as he falls for her sister, Briar, and her daughters?

This feeling is intense. Just thinking about us together makes my heart race. I haven’t noticed a single woman since the moment I met her. It’s just been Brogan. She’s holding my hand, and that’s a small step, but I need more. I want more.

I want her to be mine.

Brogan Pearce is my endgame. She just doesn’t know it yet.