Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
One of these days, they’re going to figure it out. For the rest of us, I hope it’s soon. Although it is free entertainment.
Bowen arches a brow. “You? Stay out of trouble?”
She flashes him a grin. “No promises.”
“Yeah.” He leans back in his chair, eyes still locked on hers. “You’re not capable,” he mutters.
“Now, children,” Ellison speaks up, resting her hands on her belly. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Put this”—she waves her hands in the air at them—“whatever this is, behind you. New Year, new outlook.”
“New family,” Copeland says, leaning down to kiss her softly, his hand resting over hers where my niece is growing.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn to see Macklin, standing behind me. I didn’t even notice him get up. He leans in close, placing his lips next to my ear. “What do you want to drink?”
“I can get it.”
“I know you can, Bay, but let me.”
“Just a beer is fine. I don’t plan on drinking much tonight.”
He nods, then hesitates. He’s so close I could lean in just a little and kiss him, but I refrain. Finally, he stands but keeps his hands on my shoulders. “Anyone need anything?” he asks the table.
“I’ll go with you,” Courtlynn says.
“Watch it, brat. I had to cut you off last year,” Bowen reminds her.
Living up to the name, Courtlynn sticks her tongue out at him and walks away from our table.
“I’ll go with her,” Leighton says, standing. “Kelly and Lorna are on their way, too,” she explains. Kelly is her best friend, and Lorna is Courtlynn’s.
“Where’s Sophia tonight?” Kinzie asks me, sipping her cocktail.
“Her brother and his wife just had a baby, so she’s spending the week in Cincinnati, visiting with them and helping them out. Her parents went, too.”
“That’s sweet of her,” Ellison says.
“Don’t you worry, Ellie. That baby is going to be spoiled rotten living with all of us.”
“I might have to move in, too,” Kinzie teases.
Dixon starts cracking up laughing, and we all turn to look at him. “Cope’s got the spoiling down all on his own,” he says.
“He’s going to be the girl dad at cheer practice, doing the cheers with them from the stands,” Bowen teases as Macklin sets my beer in front of me and takes the seat Courtlynn was in next to me, which is good. That puts her at the opposite end of the table from Bowen when they get back.
“Thank you.” I turn toward Macklin.
He leans in close. “You’re welcome, babe.” There’s a sparkle in his green eyes, and I have to look away before I get lost in them. In him.
“What did I miss?” Macklin asks.
“Oh, Bo was just saying that Cope here is going to be the girl dad who’s rocking the cheers at practice on the sidelines,” Dixon explains.
“Definitely,” Macklin agrees, grabbing his beer in one hand and sitting back in his chair, tossing his other arm over the back of mine. He starts to play with my hair, and when I glance over at him, he’s laughing at the expression on Copeland’s face. I don’t even think he knows he’s doing it.
That’s the thing about Macklin that’s different from anyone I’ve ever been with. He’s open with his feelings and affection. So much so that it feels staged, but I know in my heart that’s not the case. Macklin McBride is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of man, and that’s the total opposite of my ex.
“You’re not wrong,” Copeland tells them with a shrug.
The table laughs, because we know he’s going to be the one spoiling their daughter, and yeah, he’s going to be that dad. I love that for my sister and my niece.
Courtlynn, Leighton, Kelly, and Lorna eventually make it back to our table, and we all scoot in close to add extra chairs. That puts me even closer to Macklin, and instead of pulling away from his touch as I finish each beer, I start to lean into it.
The night is full of laughter, stories of when we were younger, and some more verbal sparring from Courtlynn and Bowen. We all try to get the baby’s name out of Copeland and Ellison, but they’re not budging. Honestly, I can’t remember a time when I had this much fun just being.
Macklin leans forward, placing his hand on my back. “It’s almost midnight. You going to dance with me, sweet Baylor?” he asks.
“Come on, wife, we’re dancing our way into the new year,” Copeland says, standing and offering Ellison his hand.
“Come on, Court,” Dixon says, standing. “Let me spin you around the dance floor to keep you out of trouble.” He finishes his beer, and I watch as Courtlynn’s eyes flash to Bowen before she nods and follows Dixon out to the dance floor.
“What do you say, Bay? Want to step on my toes?” Bowen smirks.