“Or your looks and my strength,” she said as she made a tiny muscle that made him laugh.
“I love you, Maggie May.”
She smiled and kissed him. “And I love you, but if you say that name again, I will brain you with my cast.”
“Sorry.” He snickered and looked up at her with a wondrous expression on his face. “Let me ask you something… How would you feel about getting some magic baby beans so I can get to planting? I hear it’s the growing season.”
A baby with Reggie. She couldn’t wait. “Is that what you hear?”
“I surely do.”
She bit her lip. “You realize if we do this, we’re talking major commitment first. Moving in together. Co-parenting with Stephen. No other women running the gauntlet with your friends. Just me. And Emily, of course.”
“I can’t wait. Will you marry me, Maggie?”
“You’re still inside me,” she gasped. “You can’t propose when you’re inside someone!”
“I can and did. Besides. You have to marry me to save me from myself. I need you. No, let me rephrase that. I love and adore you.”
She stared at him, seeing a future she wanted badly enough to take a chance on love, and on a man who never stopped giving.
“Well, okay then. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He stirred inside her and blinked in surprise. “I think that’s my dick telling you how happy he is.”
She laughed. “I’ll marry you on one condition—you have to propose on bended knee at a later date. And I don’t need a big ring or lots of nonsense. Just you loving me. But not whileinsideme.”
He grinned. “Talk about rolling a Yahtzee.”
***
Two months later
Mack watched from Reggie’s dad’s kitchen. The guy threw a hell of a pre-Halloween brunch.
“Yo, Nadia, who’s the dude?” He pointed to the out-of-place academic standing in the living room by himself. Around him, Brad, Tex, and Reggie were laughing at something Doug said. Benny stood with Harry, talking vegetables and swapping romance tips.
Maggie and Emily were playing with Frank and Bree while Avery watched with a cautious eye on the dog.
Nadia slung an arm around Mack’s shoulders. “That cutie is Maggie’s ex-husband. He’s not a bad guy. I met him earlier. Why do you ask?”
He nodded to Lisa, who stood, looking flabbergasted, in the front doorway. She closed the door behind her and walked straight to Stephen.
“Hello.”
Stephen blinked. His smile warmed by several degrees. “Why, hello. I’m Stephen Swanson. Emily’s dad.”
She shook his hand and got the strangest look on her face. “I’m Lisa.” She just stood there for a moment, then, flustered, pulled back her hand.
Mack looked around, but he didn’t see anyone but himself and Nadia noticing Lisa’s odd behavior.
“How do you know everyone here?” Stephen asked.
“I’m Reggie’s older sister.” Lisa smiled.
Stephen looked as if he’d been knocked sideways.
Mack chuckled. “Is it just me, or are we watching cupid’s arrows sink into two lame-asses who can’t seem to find love?”
