He leans across the center console, and I meet him halfway. His lips brush mine, soft, warm, and grounding. The moment lingers, stealing some of the anxiety from my chest.
Until—
A rapid knock on my window makes me jump.
I break the kiss with a laugh and turn to see Anna beaming at me through the glass. I open the door in time for her to squeal like a schoolgirl and wrap her arms around me with the force of a freight train. I gasp as she nearly knocks the wind out of me, my eyes bulging while I laugh into her shoulder.
“Anna…” Colt’s amused voice comes from behind me. “You do want the future mother of our kids to survive this hug, yeah?”
Johnny chuckles. “You might wanna loosen your grip, babe.”
“What?” Anna blinks, still swinging me from side to side.
“She needs air to live,” Johnny says.
Anna finally looks down at me and loosens her hold, laughing. “Right. Sorry. I’m just so damn excited.”
“You are?” I ask, tilting my head as I study her expression.
Her eyes sparkle with joy. “Hell yes. I can’t wait to be pregnant again and give you guys a baby. I’m so honored to be part of this.”
My heart swells, the weight in my chest lifting just a little.
“C’mon,” she says, grabbing my hand. “We’re gonna be late!” She pulls me toward the clinic doors, practically skipping, and I glance back at Colt.
He dips his chin with a wink.
That’s all I need.
Anna’s excitement is contagious, and suddenly, I don’t feel so terrified anymore.
Maybe, just maybe… this dream really is about to begin.
The Next Day
The initial consultation with the counselors went better than I ever could have imagined. They focused mainly on Anna, asking her a mountain of questions, but she didn’t waver once. Over and over, she said she was ready—excited, even—to do this for us.
I sat in awe of her the whole time.
Colt never let go of my hand.
Even Johnny surprised me with how upbeat and supportive he was. I half-expected quiet discomfort or a few nervous jokes, but he looked proud. Solid. Like he really understood what this meant for all of us.
Now, it’s Friday.
Tonight’s the night.
Bachelor and bachelorette madness is incoming.
And I still haven’t told Colt about the strippers.
I meant to, honestly, but every time I thought about it, I imagined his face. That jaw-tightening, lip-pressing look that tells me his brain’s going into primal territory. If he knew there’d be a cop and a fireman shaking their junk around me tonight, well, I don’t think he’d take it as a‘fun surprise.’
Still, knowing Hux and Dingo? The VIP section of whatever club they’re going to is bound to be filled with enough silicone and stilettos to even the score.
“Can’t I just stay here with you?” Colt grumbles, his voice muffled as he nuzzles into my neck while I sit in front of the vanity, curling my hair.
I smirk. “You could. But Anna and Hux would kill us. Besides, when you get back, we can have drunken sex. It could be like our first time all over again.”
