My fingers run through Holly’s silky hair. “She’s currently asleep.” I keep my voice low, but I’m not quiet enough. Holly stirs, her eyelashes flutter before she looks up at me.
“Who is it?” Her hand comes up and covers her yawn.
“Wait," Alex’s voice is stone-cold. "Mateo? Is Holly there with you? I thought you said she was asleep.” There’s condemnation in his tone, andI know I’ll need to do some explaining. Protective big brother Alex mode has been activated.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, man. We fell asleep on the couch last night. Nothing happened. Well, I mean, I kissed her, but that’s it.”
Alex huffs. “I thought this marriage wasn’t real.”
Holly groans and covers her face. “Alex, it is too early in the morning for the inquisition. Bring Reina and come over for breakfast. You can ask all your questions then.”
I’m ready to hang up, but Alex keeps talking and I put the phone on speaker. “Holly, do you know what’s all over the news?”
Holly’s head shakes against my chest. She repositions herself, her head now resting in the crook of my shoulder, her fingers coming up to brush against my beard.
“Nope. Don’t care. Tell me over breakfast. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go back to cuddling my husband in peace.” She stresses the last word and nuzzles her nose into my neck.
That’s my cue. “Bye Alex, see you at breakfast.” I don’t even wait for his response. I hang up and put my phone back on the table.
I place a kiss on Holly’s forehead. “Good morning, wife.”
She sighs. “Good morning. Do not kiss me. My breath stinks.”
I chuckle. As if something like morning breath would keep me from wanting to kiss my wife. “I don’t care.”
She shudders. “Ew, well, I care.” She tightens her grip on me and stills. “No more talking, just cuddling. I’m not ready to be awake yet.”
I kiss her hair and close my eyes, soaking up this simple moment.
“As you wish.”
And we stay that way until there’s a knock on the door.
Holly hops off the couch, straightening her sweats and throwing her hairup into a messy bun. I love that she doesn’t care how she looks right now. It’s her brother and sister-in-law, but the way she’s effortlessly comfortable isn’t always the case when we see them.
I sit up and stretch, moving my arms to get the pins and needles sensation over and done with. I watch Holly approach the door. She stops and takes a deep breath before opening it. I’m holding my breath too.
I catch a quick glimpse of Alex’s smiling face before he wraps Holly in a hug. Reina steps in behind him, a Cheshire grin on her face. I’m not surprised by this in the least, considering she’s been rooting for our relationship from day one. I’m hoping the happy look on Alex’s face means he feels the same way.
Alex pulls back from their hug. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Whatever we can scrounge up,” Holly replies as she pushes him out of the way to hug Reina.
Alex walks toward me and I meet him halfway, giving him our customary bro slap hug greeting.
He puts his hand on my shoulder, his eyes narrowed. “You’re sure nothing happened?” he whispers.
I arch an eyebrow. “Bro, you know we’re married, right?”
His shoulders sag. “I know. I just thought this wasn’t supposed to get real. If your relationship is real now and you guys love each other, then of course I’m fine with it. She’s my little sister, I want what’s going to make her happy.”
I smile. “My relationship with your sister is private. Rest assured, I love her, and we’ll take the next steps in our relationship when we’re ready. And because I know what it’s like to be an older brother, I’ll just say that we only kissed and cuddled last night.”
Alex smiles and nods. “I’m happy you’re my brother now. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to marry my sister.”
I give Alex a bro bear hug. “Love you too, brother.”
Holly tugs us apart and I can’t help but wrap my arms around her waist,pulling her against me. Reina comes over and Alex throws his arm around her shoulder, tucking her into his side as if he’s done it a million times. I think I’m feeling a little sappy this morning because seeing my best friends so in love and holding my wife in my arms has me tearing up. I blink away the moisture before anyone notices.
