41. Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Five weeks later
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” Magnolia whispered to Mari as they sat together.
“You have a bigger circle of people now.” Mari put her hand on Magnolia’s bump, hoping to feel a kick. Magnolia had told her that she had perpetual permission to touch her stomach any time she wanted. Best friend rules. “And I’m looking forward to spoiling this nugget so much. And you.”
“You’re the best.” Magnolia put her hand over Mari’s as Mari laid her head on Magnolia’s.
“Okay, smile, you two! This is so cute I can’t stand it.” Abigail, Magnolia’s mom, had her phone up to take a picture of them as she passed by the fireplace where they were sitting.
Mari’s smile came easy when she was with her best friend.
“So when are you going to tell your family about you and Colin?” Magnolia’s voice was pitched low, but Mari still glanced around.
Thankfully no one was paying attention to them, but Magnolia was right, this place was packed. Mari had ended up throwing the baby shower here at Magnolia and Ezra’s home so they wouldn’t have to transport all their gifts—of which there were many.
The entire Redemption Harbor crew was there, along with a lot of Magnolia and Mari’s childhood friends. Not to mention people Magnolia had worked with in the past, of course Camila, some crossover pilot friends of theirs, her mom’s friends and even Mari’s parents, who loved Magnolia. It was like a who’s who of New Orleans society.
Camila slid in next to them, her expression dry. “All right. You know I love y’all, but there are some fancy people here.”
Magnolia snickered. “It’s all my parents’ friends.” Frowning, she looked around. “Where is Ezra and everyone?”
And by everyone, Mari knew she meant the Redemption Harbor Security people. “Oh, they’re outside by the pool playing some baby-themed game that Berlin made up. They’re throwing a baby doll at the cornhole trying to get the head inside. Pretty sure Ezra is winning.”
Magnolia looked at Mari in horror, then burst out laughing. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I’m going to head out there.”
“I’ll go with you.” Camila popped up before Magnolia had even finished.
“I’ll be out there in a minute. I’ve got to find my own man.” Mari stood with her, helping Magnolia to her feet even though Magnolia swore she didn’t need a hand.
It took Mari some time to find Colin, but eventually found him in the laundry room of all places. “What are you doing in here?” she asked as she shut the door behind herself.
“Someone said we needed another case of water.”
“You’re not supposed to be lifting anything yet.”
He gave her a dry look. “I know. I didn’t think about it until I got in here.”
“Promise?”
He laughed, his eyes crinkling slightly at the edges, and god, she loved the sound of his laugh. “I swear. I’m listening to the stupid doctor.”
“She’s not stupid.” Mari hopped up onto the washing machine.
“I know, but it makes me feel better to say it. I’m just tired of not being able to do everything I want. With you, in case that wasn’t clear,” he added.
Spreading her thighs, she reached for him. “It was clear. But we can at least make out.” Pretty much all they were doing until next week when he should get his final okay from his wonderful doctor.
“I can get on board with that.” His voice dropped a couple octaves as he slid in between her legs, wrapped his arms around her.
She loved the feel of him holding her, though they’d had to be careful over the last month, plus. “Good, because—” She turned at the sound of the door opening and stared at her two brothers standing there, wide-eyed.
Evan’s mouth dropped open.
Joseph blinked.
They were only a couple years apart but might as well be twins.
“Say one stupid word and I’ll rip your faces off!” Mari shouted, her defensive instincts kicking in. She loved her brothers but they’d always been stupidly overprotective and today wasn’t the day. Colin had saved her life. And even if he hadn’t, she loved him more than she’d ever thought possible. She also knew that he loved her brothers, her family, and it would cut him deep if they reacted poorly.
Colin tightened his grip on her. “Your sister and I are together. I love her very much and I’m not asking for approval, but I hope you’ll be accepting of our relationship. If you’re not, that’s a you problem, because this is happening.” There was a hard edge to his voice, one she’d only heard once before .
It sent a thrill down her spine, but then to her surprise, her brothers groaned practically in unison.
“What’s that for?” she demanded, ready to tackle them. She didn’t care how old they were, she could still take them.
“We owe Carmen a hundred bucks each,” Evan muttered. “She told us you two were together, that she’d seen a spark when we visited you a few weeks ago. But I thought you both were just working your way to finally getting together.”
“So is Carmen right? How long have you guys been together?” Joseph asked.
“Since none of your business,” Colin growled.
Which just made them laugh uproariously, much to Mari’s surprise.
Carmen stuck her head around the corner, grinned at the two of them. “I knew it! Finally. You guys are perfect together and you’ll be coming over for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Ah—”
“Just say yes. I’m making empanadas.”
“Oh, we’ll be there,” Mari said, looking up at Colin, who simply grinned down at her.
Then he kissed her, making her brothers groan obnoxiously but at least they left them in peace.
“So the cat’s out of the bag,” she said, pulling back.
“For the record, I never wanted this particular cat in any bag.” His jaw tightened.
“I know, but thank you.” She’d been sure of her feelings for him, but deep down she’d been terrified that his feelings had been based on all the intensity surrounding them. She hadn’t wanted to tell everyone—meaning her family—only for them to break up days later.
She knew it was stupid but she’d needed that little buffer. Because apparently she was still learning to deal with all her emotions.
“Come on, let’s go see what’s going on out back. I heard something about games and cupcakes.”
“You don’t even like cupcakes.” Which was a crime in itself as far as she was concerned.
“Yes, but you do, so come on.” He slid his fingers through hers, proudly holding on to her as they stepped out into the hallway.
Thankfully they were able to avoid her brothers and made it outside unscathed to find that yep, a weird baby doll tossing game was happening. She could only imagine what her and Magnolia’s parents’ wealthy friends would think of all this and chuckled to herself at the thought.
“Who’s winning?” she asked Berlin as she and Colin slid up next to them.
Gino and Ollie were outside too, Magnolia having invited them since they were friends with Colin and she’d wanted him to have friends here. Which of course she did, because Mari’s best friend was wonderful.
And Mari had discovered that the hot redhead she’d seen leaving Colin’s place all those weeks ago had been Gino’s sister—and they hadn’t been sleeping together nor had they ever been anything other than friends. The woman had left a bar at two in the morning upset because she’d caught her boyfriend (now ex) cheating on her and hadn’t wanted to go home because she lived with Gino (and hadn’t wanted him to know he’d been right all along about her ex). So she’d gone to Colin, a man who was like a brother to her.
“Rowan by two points, but I have a plan,” Berlin whispered.
“Those are some seriously creepy dolls,” Colin murmured as he eyed the playing area.
“Right? They look like they came from a haunted house.”
“We found them in the attic of our place.” Bear, Colin’s brother, appeared out of nowhere, a beer in his hand, his fiancée Valentine at his side.
“And you didn’t want to put them in a display case?” Mari asked Valentine as she hugged her.
“I suggested we salt and burn them.” Her tone was dry as she stepped back.
Which just made Mari laugh as she hugged Bear. She loved that he’d found someone as nice as him. They were two adorable peas in an adorable pod.
“So you two are official?” Bear asked, looking between the two of them. He and Valentine already knew about them since they’d been over at Colin’s place as much as she had the last month.
“Yep.” Colin slid an arm around her shoulders, and oh, she wanted to burrow into him, wrap her whole body around him and just love him.
His doctor’s okay to return to physical activity couldn’t come soon enough. He wasn’t the only one ready to get back in the saddle.
“So who here knew that Bradford is married?” Berlin called out as Rowan started to toss another baby doll.
The Victorian-era doll went wild, its creepy eyes seeming to see everything as it landed in a nearby bush.
“Ha, now you’re behind.” Berlin cackled as she plucked up the doll.
“Wait, Bradford, you’re married?” Rowan demanded as he, Tiago, and Ezra all turned to stare at him. “To who?”
“I’m going to kill you.” Bradford chucked another of the dolls at Berlin but he was laughing as he did. “What happened to having my back?”
“You narced me out to Chance last week, so now we’re even.”
“Oh my god, who are you married to?” Tiago asked.
Mari heard him say the name “Hope” right before the other three men lost it. Then the three of them basically herded Bradford back toward the pool, all talking over each other .
“I think this is enough drama for one day. I’m ready to leave if you are,” she said to Colin. The truth was, she could have stayed another hour, but she could see the exhaustion creeping in on him.
He might be almost physically “fine” but he’d been stabbed and it had taken a toll on him. She had a feeling it was going to be longer than eight weeks before he was a hundred percent back to himself. So until then, and even afterward, it was her job to look out for him. Because he was always looking out for her.
He leaned down, brushed his mouth over hers. “I’m ready, but I’ll grab you some cupcakes before we head out.”
His words sent a little shiver down her spine. He was definitely her wingman for life.