Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
Lottie
A few days after we return from our honeymoon, we are at Landyn and Ford’s house for Sunday dinner. Calling it a “house” seems like a wild understatement—it’s more like a sprawling estate with a waterfront view.
Jesse, Noah, and Wes are standing around the barbecue, arguing while Ford grills. He flips a burger with ease and then swats at Jesse’s hand before he can steal another pepper from the grill. The Winters men are a sight for sore eyes, but my focus is on Wes.
Madeline and Landyn are setting the patio table, chatting about the latest episode of Love Island while passing dishes back and forth.
Poppy and her pup Stella are racing laps around the backyard, her laughter carrying over every other conversation.
Every thirty seconds or so, Ford glances over his shoulder to make sure she’s still in sight.
He never hides how much he loves both of his girls.
“You’d pull a hamstring in the first 10 steps,” Jesse says to Noah. The two of them are in a heated debate over who would win a 100-meter sprint.
Noah shrugs. “Maybe. But I’d still beat you.”
“You absolutely wouldn’t,” Jesse insists. “I could give you a 10-meter head start and I’d still destroy you.”
Ford rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why I invite you two over.”
I shake my head, smiling into my glass. For a group of men that manages to successfully run a multimillion-dollar company, they’re remarkably committed to behaving like overgrown teenagers.
I watch as Wes crosses the yard to where I’m standing with a glint in his eye.
We’d arrived half an hour ago, but he was immediately pulled away by his brothers while I sat and caught up with Madeline and Landyn.
We haven’t had a second together since we arrived.
Not that anyone has noticed. As far as the Winters family is concerned, we’re still just playing the role of husband and wife.
Boy, are they going to be surprised.
“Wanna sneak downstairs to the laundry room for a quickie?” he whispers in my ear. “I could ravage your body up against the washing machine. I don’t think we’ve fucked on a home appliance yet.”
I glare at him. “Wes Winters,” I warn, shaking my head. If I’m honest, I’m tempted by the offer, and Wes knows it—he can read every one of my expressions by now.
“What?” he shrugs innocently, eyeing me over the edge of his beer bottle.
“I am usually up for a secret, dirty quickie, but there’s no way I am doing that in your brother’s house with every member of your family upstairs.”
His big hand palms my ass before sliding up to my waist, pulling me into his side. “Have I told you lately you’re the perfect wife?” he says against my temple.
Wes’s arm is still wrapped around my waist when Noah wanders over, a beer in his hand. His gaze drops to Wes’s hand at my hip and then to the smiles neither of us seem able to wipe off our faces.
One brow lifts. “Maybe I’m giving you both too little credit. You’re the best actors I’ve ever met.” He tips his beer bottle to us. “Because from where I’m standing, you two don’t look like you’re faking a damn thing.”
Wes’s thumb brushes over my side but he says nothing. Noah takes another sip of his beer.
“Well?” he asks, glancing between us. “The fact that neither of you is denying it tells me maybe I’m onto something.”
That’s when I notice that the patio has gone quiet.
At some point, Ford has stopped tending the barbecue. Jesse’s frozen in place, a stolen chicken wing halfway to his mouth. Madeline and Landyn are both watching us, looking very invested. Poppy remains blissfully unaware as she chases Stella across the lawn.
Every pair of eyes is on us as I look up at Wes.
He lets out a quiet breath. “The truth?” he says.
Noah nods.
“It hasn’t been fake for a long time.” Wes laces his fingers through mine.
“The minute Lottie moved in with me, I was utterly infatuated. The night of our wedding, she had me by the balls.” His eyes find mine.
“The more time I spend with her, the easier it’s become to picture every part of my life with her in it.
Turns out the woman who marched into my office ready to tell me exactly where I could shove the headlines…
” he squeezes my hand. “ended up being the best thing that’s ever happened to me. ”
Jesse lets out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s…a lot. So, to be clear, not fake. Not anymore.”
Wes’s eyes stay on me. “Not even a little.”
“I knew it!” Jesse practically shouts, throwing both hands into the air. “I told you, you idiots!”
“You told us they were sleeping together,” Noah deadpans. “You didn’t say anything about them being actually together.”
“I’m sure they’re also sleeping together, Noah.” Jesse looks back at us, a smirk on his face. “Care to confirm that, you two?”
“Do you ever shut up?” Wes asks his brother.
Ford shakes his head, laughing under his breath. “No. You should know that by now.”
“Anyways,” Jesse continues, proving Ford’s point. “Different prediction. Same outcome. I win.”
“Not sure that’s how it works, man,” Ford tells him.
“I think I’m with Jesse on this one,” Madeline chimes in. “I mean, at the end of the day, Wes and Lottie are together.”
“Of course you’re on his side, you’re totally biased,” Noah points out.
“Can all of you just focus for one second?” Landyn interrupts, laughing. She turns to face Wes and me. “Congratulations, you two! This is the best news!”
Madeline comes over and wraps me in the biggest hug. “I am so, so happy for you,” she whispers. “You deserve a love like this.”
Emotion catches in my throat. “Thank you. This makes us not only best friends but sisters-in-law. For real! How lucky are we?”
“The luckiest.” She squeezes my hand in hers.
When she steps back, she turns to Wes. “I was wondering how long it would take you to realize you were completely gone for her.”
Wes looks sheepish. “Was it that obvious?”
“I figured it out at the engagement party,” Jesse says.
“You absolutely did not.” Madeline elbows his side. “You thought they were going to kill each other.”
Just then Poppy comes running across the yard, Stella close behind. “Why’s everybody yelling?”
Ford crouches down beside her. “Because Uncle Wes has some good news.”
She looks up at Wes with wide eyes. “What news, Uncle Wes?” she asks.
“Well,” he says, smiling down at her. “The good news is that I really love Auntie Lottie.”
“Well, yeah. You’re married to her,” Poppy says dramatically, looking at Wes like he’s lost it. “And also, you look at her like Daddy looks at Mommy.”
Ford and Landyn look at each other, the love between them palpable.
Poppy throws her arms around my legs. “And since you guys are married, that means Aunt Lottie is going to stay forever.”
I glance at Wes to find that his eyes are already on me. He flashes the most heart-wrenchingly handsome smile and my heart soars right through my chest.
“Yeah, Pops.” He ruffles her blonde curls. “That’s exactly the plan.”