I take a breath, rubbing the back of my neck. “I need to talk to you both.”
Sawyer’s already standing straight, dropping the rope in his hands. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been thinking about this all day,” I start. “About what’s been happening recently. About us and Dakota, and Charlie too… and I think I want to make this more serious. I want us to be a family.”
Reid raises an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching, holding back a laugh. “A family, huh?”
I don’t back down. “Yeah. I want all of it. Dakota. Charlie. You guys, too. I’ve been dancing around this for too long, pretending I wasn’t feelin’ what I feel for her. For him. But it’s real.”
Sawyer gives a small nod, studying me for a long second. “You sure about this? You’ve got to be ready for what comes next. It’s not just about what you want. It’s about what Dakota and Charlie want, too.”
Reid’s grin comes back. “Well, hell, Clint. You finally figured it out. About damn time.” He glances at Sawyer and then back at me. “You sure you’re ready for this? Because I’m all in. Whatever happens, I want it too.”
“Same,” Sawyer agrees. “I couldn’t think of anything better.”
And just like that, everything’s falling into place. This is what I want. This is what we’ll have.
A family.
I just hope it’s enough for Dakota to stay.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Dakota
There’sa knock at the door just as I’m sitting down with my second cup of coffee of the evening, and honestly? I almost ignore it.
Charlie’s finally playing quietly with his blocks, I’ve got a rare half-hour of peace, and I’m not ready for whatever is waiting on the other side.
But the knock comes again, firmer this time, impatient, and I already know my peace has been shattered.
“Hi, sweetheart!”
Alice beams at me like she’s been up since dawn baking pies and rescuing stray kittens. She’s holding a big canvas tote bag, and there’s this… look in her eyes. Mischievous. Which is never a good sign.
“Uh-oh,” I say, crossing my arms. “What’s that look for?”
“That look,” she says, brushing past me into the kitchen, “means I’m here to babysit.”
I blink. “Babysit?”
“Yes,” she says, setting her bag down on the counter and giving me one of those all-knowing mom smiles. “You and I both know Charlie could use some Alice time, and you,” she pokes my arm, “could use some time for yourself.”
I stare at her. “Alice, I have work. And laundry. And about ten emails to?—”
“Dakota.” She cuts me off with one raised eyebrow. “When’s the last time you did something nice for yourself?”
I open my mouth… and immediately close it again. Because she’s right, of course. The answer isnever.
Before I can come up with an excuse, Alice reaches into her tote and pulls out a dress. Not one of mine. This one’s nicer. Flowy. A deep forest green that looks way too pretty.
“Oh no,” I say, backing up a step. “Nope. Whatever this is, I’m not doing it.”
Alice just smirks. “You are doing it. And you’re going to thank me later. Now, go shower, fix that pretty hair of yours, and put this on.”
“Why?” I demand. “Where am I even supposed to go?”
“You’ll see,” she says with a wink that is entirely too smug. “Trust me.”
