I wouldn’t change a thing about the last few days, getting to know this sweet, smart, sexy woman. Not. One. Thing.
Well, maybe I’d changethis.
With a sigh, because I do not want to hurt my best friend, I flex my abs and kick up my legs so they’re wrapped around Jamie, and with another quick motion, I flip him backward and off me.
We’re both on our feet in a flash. He’s even angrier than before, if it’s possible. His fists flexed, he looks like he could lunge at me again at any moment.
“Hear me out, Jamie.” I hold my hands out in front of me. “I don’t want to fight you, man. But I will if I have to.”
“I thought you said you wouldn’t fight me.”
I shake my head once. “That was before I knew that she loves me.” I risk a glance in Mia’s direction before I focus on Jamie again. “That changes everything, because I love her, too.”
“Oh, fuck.”
“What?”
“It’s true.” I drop my guard and go to Mia because I can’t stay away a second longer. “I love you, Mia.” I take her hands in mine and look down into her tear-filled eyes. “I grew up hearing all about love at first sight and never to settle for less than an all-consuming love, and I never believed it, Mia. Not until now. Not until you. I love you.” Damn, it feels good to say these words to her. “I loved you from the moment I saw you on the street and that love has only grown with each passing second.”
She’s crying harder now, but I have to believe they’re tears of happiness. And I’m still not done telling her exactly how I feel. “I want you to stay, Mia. Stay in Rock Creek with me. Marry me. You can work as a nurse and have all my babies.” My eyes dart to her belly. We haven’t used protection, not once. My girl could be pregnant right now.
As if she’s read my mind, she takes my hand and presses it to her belly.
“Do you want that, too, Mia?” I know the answer. I can feel it. But I need her to say it.
“Oh, fuck no!” Jamie roars from behind me.
I know he won’t hit me while I’m standing close to Mia. And I have to trust that he’ll calm down as soon as he realizes that she means more to me than just a fuck. A whole lot more.
“This isn’t happening.” He comes to stand in front of us but makes no move to lay hands on either of us. “You’re going to med school, Mia.” His voice has lost some of its fight. “You’re going back to the city and you’re going to med school.”
“No,” she says without looking at him. “I’m staying here.” She speaks directly to me. “With Briggs. Rock Creek needs a nurse, and I want to help. And I’m going to marry you, Briggs, and have all of your babies. As many as you can put in me.”
It’s music to my ears. “Oh, honey. I’m going to put so many babies in that sweet, soft belly of yours. I can’t wait to see you round and ripe with my child.”
I’m sure I’m going to explode with happiness when she adds, “I might even be pregnant already.”
“What the fuck is happening here?” Jamie takes a step back and drops his head in his hands, but I can see he knows he’s lost this one. Mia and I are in love, and despite the fact that my left eye is already swelling shut, it’s the best day of my life.
Mia takes my hand in hers and, together, we face her brother. “Why don’t we all sit down? I think we have a lot to talk about.”
SIX MONTHS LATER…
Mia
Iwiggle the baby’s toes one by one to keep her distracted while I press my stethoscope to her tiny chest. “Everything sounds great, Sophie.” I stand and wrap the stethoscope around my neck. “She’s perfect.”
“She is, isn’t she?” My new sister-in-law scoops up her baby and kisses the tip of her nose.
“You both must be totally in love with her.” Julia was born to Briggs’s brother, Griffin and his wife Sophie a few months earlier, shortly after our wedding.
As the first grandchild, the entire Wolf family was obsessed with her.
And I was part of that family now, too.
The simple gold band on my left hand was a constant and happy reminder of the day Briggs and I said our vows, only three weeks after we met.
Neither of us wanted to wait any longer than absolutely necessary, and we only managed to hold out that long because Ineeded to move my things from the city, drop out of med school before I even started, and officially move to Rock Creek and the cabin that was now my home.
