Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
He nods. “Yeah, I wanted Rowan to sleep in, so we snuck out, too, didn’t we, Ella?” he coos at his daughter.
I get busy making Mia some breakfast, sitting her in her portable high chair, before popping two big pans of cinnamon rolls into the oven. Landry and I make small talk, and slowly, the kitchen fills as everyone wakes up.
Will stops next to me. Close enough I can feel the heat of him, but far enough away no one would suspect why he’s standing so close. He bends down and says good morning to Mia, and his hand settles on the small of my back. We’re standing off to the side, so I know that no one can see him. He taps twice before removing his hand. “The bathroom’s all yours,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Thanks.” I scoop Mia up, reaching for her chair, but Will steps in.
“I’ll wipe that up. You ladies go on and get ready for the day.” He takes the tray off the chair and moves to the sink.
I force myself not to watch him as he once again steps in to take care of us. Instead, I smile at Mia. “All right, stinky butt, let’s get you cleaned up.” I bounce her on my hip, making her laugh. My eyes find Bellamy’s, who’s smiling at me. “I’ll be back,” I tell her, before turning and rushing upstairs to get ready for the day.
In the bathroom, I ignore the scent of his body wash, a smell I’ve come to associate with only him, and quickly rush through a shower for Mia and me so we can join everyone back downstairs.
“Ladies,” Knox says, entering the living room where we’ve all been sitting. The kids are playing, and we’re just enjoying our time together. A rain shower came through, so we haven’t been out on the beach yet today.
“Uh-oh.” Corie smiles. “You’re about to ask for something.”
“What?” Knox places his hand over his heart as if his wife has offended him. The other guys filter into the room behind him. “All I want is your love, Corie girl,” he says sweetly, bending over the back of the couch to kiss her.
“Dude, paws off my sister,” Landry teases. It’s a long-running joke with them, and we all know Landry holds no hatred toward Knox for marrying his little sister and making her happy.
“My wife loves it when I kiss her, right?” Knox asks Corie, and she just grins and nods.
“Suspicious,” Rowan teases Landry.
“Nope,” he says, popping the p. “We actually come bearing gifts.”
“What kind of gifts?” Bellamy asks.
“The good kind,” Reid answers.
“That’s not helpful at all.” Sloane laughs.
“Patience, my dear,” Baker tells her with a wink.
“There are kids present,” Eden teases.
“Mrs. Vaughn!” Foster gasps, and we all crack up laughing. Foster has changed so much since meeting Eden, and his smiles are always lighting up the rooms these days.
“As I was saying,” Knox says, “we have a surprise for you. We know you ladies planned this, and you do so much for us during the season, so we wanted to do something to show you how much we appreciate you.”
“So, today, the six of you will be going out to do, well, whatever it is you ladies want to do. We’re going to be here, taking care of the kiddos, building sandcastles, and whatever else, just relaxing, while you all go have some girl time,” Landry explains.
“Really?” Eden asks, her voice cracking. She’s pregnant and feeling those emotions, I’m sure.
“Yeah, we’ve got this. Go hang out, have fun, but be safe, and check in with us so we know you’re okay,” Foster tells his wife.
My heart melts. My friends have somehow managed to find five sexy-as-hell men with hearts of gold. Each couple is a perfect pairing. I can feel Will’s gaze, but I don’t dare look. I’m too wrapped up in my emotions to have a clear head. One look from me to my very own sexy-as-hell man with his own heart of gold—well, not mine, but you know what I mean—and I fear I’d give our secret away.
“It’s a family vacation,” Bellamy speaks up.
“It is,” Reid agrees, “and we’re all family. You ladies bust your asses with the kids, keep the house running, and so much more. Our jobs require a lot from not only us but also you. Go have a day together. You earned it.”
“We really don’t need a day away,” Sloane counters, and all the ladies, minus me, murmur their agreement.
“And that means you, too,” Reid speaks up, pointing at me. “You’re there for support for all of them, and you’re raising that beautiful little girl of yours all on your own. You’ve earned this day, too, Amanda.”
“Oh, I can’t ask you to—” I start, but it’s Will who speaks up, stopping my protest.