62. Rosie
Chapter 62
Rosie
Four Months Later
B ambi’s cheerful ringtone sounds while I’m trying to determine if the painting is level. I climb off the step ladder and go in search of my phone.
“What’s up? I’m going to see you in less than an hour,” I answer, standing back to admire the placement of the frame.
It’s the painting I made and gave to the guys after we first bonded. It’s made from a photo of the day we signed the pack paperwork. The alphas have their arms around Quinn and me, all of us huddled in blankets and proudly displaying our pack license.
We had official pack photos done, along with a small ceremony, because Dane’s dad insisted on making the announcement in the paper. Even though those pictures are gorgeous and the ceremony was beautiful, this original is still my favorite. It’s us, raw and real instead of the glossed-over images others see. Since today is our housewarming, I decided to move it from the nest, hanging it in the living room next to all the other photos we’ve amassed.
We finished moving into Grandma’s, now our, remodeled pack house last week after months of renovations. Nash kept almost everything original to my grandparents' design, restoring it to its full beauty. I love that it’s a blend of all our history.
“You’re never gonna believe where I’m leaving!” Bambi says, the shock in her voice drawing my full attention. Before I can even guess, she’s off. “I just bought your cousin’s courting dresses at her estate sale. Literally all of them for less than a hundred bucks. It’s so petty, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“Whatever did she do now?” I ask, making a detour into the kitchen to check on Nash. He’s made a whole menu for tonight and started early this morning to prepare everything.
Bambi makes this noise as though she’s savoring something divine. "Her pack’s assets are being sold to pay old debts. The realtor gave me all the tea. The pack lost it big on some currency scheme and has been driven out of business. It’s the scandal of the summer … because they had to move into her mother’s house! I’m going straight to hell for enjoying it so much, but I let that realtor tell me every damn detail.”
I whistle, trying and failing not to laugh at the satisfaction in her voice. The battle with Marigold and my family is never easy, but we won the legal case for guardianship three months ago, and the court accepted our settlement to buy the house right after. Beyond that, I’ve heard bits and pieces from Bambi’s case, but I try not to keep track of the details for my sanity.
“Good riddance to her, although maybe sage the dresses before putting that kind of karma on anybody.”
She cackles. “Will do. I’m heading back to the pack house, but I’ll be over right after.”
After I hang up, my phone buzzes, but I leave it for now, roping my arms around Nash from behind. “How’s it going?”
“All set,” he says, grabbing one of the tiny cups sitting on a baking tray and feeding me a bite before going back to stirring something at the stove. It’s salty cheese and something sweet, maybe raspberries.
I nod around the bite. “So good.”
He grins. “You’ll have to tell me if that beats the shrimp cakes.”
I lean in, lifting his hat so I can steal a kiss. “Everything you make is delicious.”
The front door opens, and a moment later, Quinn breezes in, his arms full of his lunchbox and work bags. He’s in those scrubs of his I love, and he winks at me as he tosses his stuff.
“I don’t have time for that look… but yes to everything it promises… later.” He kisses my cheek, then Nash’s, before running down the hall toward our nest. “Gotta shower, be right back.”
I help Nash clean up the remaining dishes and double-check that everything is set before making my way to where Dane has speakers and drinks set up out back.
He pauses what he’s doing when he sees me, taking two big strides until I’m scooped up in his arms, my mouth devoured. I wrap my legs around his waist, and my arms tangle in the hair at his neck.
“A little warning,” I tease him breathlessly, pulling away. I’m pretty sure my entire ass hangs out every time he does this.
“I couldn’t help it. Blame the dress,” he says, his fingers digging into the backs of my thighs as he walks toward the house.
“Do you plan on wearing a shirt to this party?” I ask.
He chuckles. “Yes, but not until I shower.” He carries me up the porch stairs and through the back door, calling to Nash, “Grill is set.”
The doorbell rings, and Dane sets me down, kissing my forehead. “Be right back. I’m gonna shower. Five minutes.”
Mr. Blakey and Grandma Lily are at the door, Grandma looking strong as she leans in for a hug. She and Mr. Blakey moved into their own couple’s room when she decided to stay at Lakeside Oaks, and they got married in a little ceremony at the lake on the grounds that same week. She’s back to being a menace around town, only now she has an adoring man following her every move.
She loops her hand through mine. “The garden out front looks great, sugar.”
“That’s all Dane,” I explain. The man can’t stand to be inside and still for longer than an evening.
She gives me a knowing smile, probably because my Grandpa Rufus was the same way.
“Shall we take a final tour?” I ask.
“It looks lovely, Rosie. Nash did good work,” Mr. Blakey adds, looking around at the remodeled downstairs. They’ve been over to see it but not since we officially moved in.
Grandma shuffles into the living room and traces her hand along the mantel. Some of her pack pictures are still there, along with all the new ones we’ve added.
“Thank you for keeping this place alive. I couldn’t stand the idea of letting it go.” When she turns to me, we both choke up, but the ringing doorbell saves us from a sob fest.
After that, the entire night is a blur, with people coming and going as I travel from room to room with my mates. These are my people, and though my circle and world have widened since I bonded with my pack, I still prefer small, intimate groups like this, where I know everyone and can relax.
I talk football and summer vacations with Dane’s parents, give the bridge club omegas a tour of the remodel that leaves us all teary-eyed, and chat with the girls from the shop until almost everyone has gone home.
Near midnight, I find myself squished up in Dane’s lap next to Quinn on the old patio lounger we couldn’t get rid of from next door.
When I’m almost asleep, my mind blissfully buzzed from the two beers I had earlier, Nash calls from the back door, “The last one is gone.”
Dane nudges my hip. “Come on, you two. We have a surprise.”
Quinn sits up beside me, yawning loudly. “I hope it involves a nap. After the week I had at work, I could use a whole weekend of sleep to recover.”
They don’t tell us where we’re going, but once we take the stairs past the second floor to the attic, it's pretty easy to guess.
Dane takes my hand, and I step onto the roof beside Quinn before folding myself to sit beside him on the shingles. Only Dane joins us, his arm snaking around my back while Quinn rests his head on my shoulder. It’s midsummer and sticky hot, but the stars are bright amid the dark sky.
We wait for whatever Nash’s surprise is, talking about the party and our days at work before he finally climbs through the attic window and onto the roof. He has a cake that he passes to Dane.
Dane takes a lighter from his pocket, clearly in on the jig, and lights the four candles. My eyes find Nash, and our bonds pulse. I know he’s thinking about our first roof and how we found ourselves here.
“It’s time to make new wishes,” Nash says, scooting in next to Dane.
Quinn sighs. “You are the cutest, and I’m keeping you all forever.”
Dane chuckles and holds up the cake. “All right, on three, we make our wishes together.”
He counts off, and when the time comes, I close my eyes, but instead of making a wish, I give thanks for this family I’ve found. These men never quit proving to me that we’re the perfect fit—no matter how unlikely.