“Yeah, I knew you’d miss him and I wasn’t trying to keep the baby from you, but I was still angry.”He lifts his shoulder in a half-hearted shrug.“I thought about just hiding out somewhere in the house but I knew you wouldn’t come over if I was there.I want to experience life with you, Cici.All of it.We’ve gone through so much together and it was stupid of me to ruin all of that over you dating my friend.”
“Dang, I still get the friend title?Okay.”Covey nods his head with a smug smile.
“I didn’t say best friend,” Cord mumbles.
“That’s because everyone knows Wyatt’s your best friend and that’s never going to change.”Covey rolls his eyes.“Though your future brother-in-law should really be your best friend.Just saying.”
“Has he proposed already?”Cord arches a brow, staring down at me.
“No.”
“Papa Powell told me I can’t yet.Apparently, I need to wait a little bit.”Covey rolls his eyes, making me giggle.
I step out of Cord’s arms and move over to my man.I love him so much.How goofy he is.How much he loves and cares for me.All of it.
“Are you having fun picking out our kitchen?”He spins me so my back is against his chest and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Yes.I think we should go with the gray cabinets.”
“That sounds perfect.”He presses a gentle kiss to my temple.
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen either one of you this happy.”Cord shakes his head, but he isn’t upset.He’s happy for us and that means the world to me.
Chapter 26
Covey
AfterCordleftandwe finished picking out everything for the house, I finally got to take Cici out for dinner.Before we even finished eating, Smithy texted and wanted us to meet for drinks later on.
We push open the door to Kennedy’s Pub and I smile when I spot Smithy and Liliana with a few other guys from the team at our normal table.They wave to us and I wave back, but lead Cici towards the bar to grab a drink.
“Are you sure you want to rip the rest of the house down to studs?You said the master bedroom didn’t have a lot of damage,” Cici’s practically screaming to be heard over the noise.
“I'm positive, sweetheart.I want the entire house to be designed by you.This is the home we’re going to raise our family in.”I kiss her neck, sandwiching her between me and the bar, planting a hand on either side of her.
“That’s really sweet.Are Blake and Wes going to kill you?”She nibbles on her bottom lip looking too adorable.
“Nah, I think they were relieved when I texted them.Especially Wes.Apparently, he’s been really anxious about that side of the house after the issues they found in the other side, but he didn’t want to overstep and assumed I was itching to get back into the house.When he found out I was in no hurry, I think he relaxed a little.I told them to take as long as they want because I kind of like my roommate.”
“Just kinda?”She laughs, leaning her head back against my chest.
“Well, I had to play it cool.They’re tough construction guys.I had to seem strong and manly.”I bounce my pecs, making her laugh even harder.
As soon as we have our drinks in hand, we head over to the table.The guys happily slide over to make room for us and I drape my arm around Cici’s shoulders.
“Oh my gosh!You two are adorable together,” Liliana gushes.She’s tucked under Smithy’s arm too.I swear he doesn’t know how to be close to her without touching her.
“Thanks.We’re happy.”Cici glances up at me with a big smile.
“Deliriously happy.”I kiss the tip of her nose before glancing back at my friends.
“Can we do an interview for the podcast?Finding love in left field.”Liliana clasps her hands in front of her chest like she’s begging.
“That’s up to Cici.I'm not making that decision.”I hold up a hand to stop her.I don’t mind the world knowing I'm taken, but I'm not sure how Cici feels about that.
“I don’t mind.”Cici laughs.She’s a good sport when it comes to stuff like this.
I'm sure growing up in the Powell family, she’s probably plenty used to being in the spotlight and being interviewed.Somehow this feels different though.She’s not being interviewed because of her family name or her position at Scott, Powell, and Coleman.She’s doing it because of who she’s dating.
