“And how are you going to do that with all your fancy parties and shindigs?”
“I just won’t go. Investors don’t need all six brothers at a party. And besides, Axel’s way better at that kind of thing.”
“Greyson, that’s ridiculous.”
“No. That’s what love is.” I place my hand on her back and give it a gentle rub. She leans toward me, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I want you, Grey, but I’m scared of what I’ll put you through.”
“Quite frankly, I’m excited.”
“Excited about me acting irrational and crazy?”
“My life was boring until we hooked up. Now I don’t know if I’m going to have the best sex of my life or end up sleeping in a river bed.”
“And you think your brothers and Pa are going to be okay with us after…everything?”
“I reckon they’re mighty happy right now. After going so hard on them all these years, they get to see me bossed around for a change. And my pops, well, let’s just say he has baby fever.”
“And Axel?” She grimaces.
“He’ll get over it, and if he doesn’t, well, he should have made his move.”
“He wasn’t ready, and quite honestly, I never thought we were very compatible.”
“So, are you coming back with me? Or should I drop you off at Karmen’s?”
“Take me home, Grey, and don’t you dare think of leaving me there by myself again.”
12
PENNY
“With as muchenergy as Karmen has, she’ll be the perfect babysitter,” I whisper to Greyson.
“I don’t know if I want my daughter in fake eyelashes at three.”
I giggle, cupping my belly. “Little Charlotte will have to wait until she’s a teenager for that.”
Greyson shoots me a glare. “Or until she’s 30.”
I nod. “Yeah, 30 it is.”
“Time for another game!” Karmen chirps.
She goes around the room, handing out enormous adult diapers to the gathered crowd.
Without telling me, she decided to throw an over-the-top baby shower, inviting everyone from the ranch and some Perish Prosper town folk months before I’m due. Even Roderick and Aspen showed up, and I swear, they wore the smuggest faces when we told them how we got together, like they somehow knew it was going to happen.
“Just how old do you think I am?” Papa Prosper sneers as he unfolds his diaper.
Karmen moves to the center of the circle to speak.“Grab your partner and see how quickly you can put these diapers on each other.” She holds a diaper up. “And if I catch you putting them on yourself, you’re disqualified.”
“You can’t be serious!” Fiona blurts, a look of shock on her pretty face.
Karmen glances askance at her friend. “That’s why I had a dress code printed on the invite. You know, the one you ignored.”
We all look at each other, dumbfounded because the game is absurd, but as soon as she rings the bell, Axel swoops into action.
