Jeff scowled then hurried to mask his displeasure with a fake smile.
She barely held back her laughter.
Someone shouted on the ice, and the crowd booed, but she couldn’t look away from her friend. Marlie should feel bad about this, but she didn’t.
Instead, she added on to his misery. “And something else.”
“Oh?”
“Damon told me he loves me.”
Jeff stared, slack-jawed. “He did?”
“And I told him I love him too.”
Jeff hugged her once more. “I’m so happy for you! He’s a great catch, sweetie. But he’s the real lucky one.” He pulled back and wiped her eyes, shocking her because she hadn’t meant to get weepy. “And if he hurts you, I’ll seriously hurt him.”
“I know.” She smiled at him, feeling so much love. She wiped her eyes, feeling silly for the tears. “I’m so lucky to have you too, Jeff. I can tell you anything.” She poured it on. “I’ve never had a friend like that. Not even my brothers. I can trust you with anything.” She stared into his eyes.
His slow smile turned into a scowl. “Oh, fuck. You know.”
She poked him in the chest. Hard. “Yes, I know. How could you not tell me?”
He groaned. “I wanted to. So badly. But one thing turned into another, and time passed, and we had no idea if we were even going to be more than FWBs.” He glanced around them and lowered his voice to add, “He is the best thing to ever to happen to me, Marlie. I’m scared as fuck I’ll screw it up.”
“Yeah? Join the club. I’m in love with a pro hockey player who makes millions. I’m just me.”
They looked at each other and smiled.
“Those dicks are so lucky to have us,” Jeff said.
Marlie nodded. “Extremely lucky. And they’d better not forget it.”
“I like that you’re not freaking out.”
“Oh, I still am. On the inside. But I’m a Reynolds. We never back down from a challenge.”
“I know. Will wore me down until I finally said yes.”
She smiled at him. “You know what this means?”
“No.” He leaned back, wary.
“You’re my mother’s new favorite. Will’s the oldest. And he found a significant other first. So wedding bells toll for thee…”
“Oh hell.”
She laughed. “Yes! Take one for the team, Jeff. That’ll get them off Damon’s and my backs. Damon told me he thinks my mother’s been following him.”
“She has.”
“Oh my God.”
He laughed. “Just to make sure he’s cool. His dad made quite an impression on her from that arrest years ago.”
“My mother is such a pain.”
“But she loves you. And she loves me. Together, we’ll get her to love your Demon.”
