Page 118 of Worth the Shot

This is love.

This is everything.

“I’m so proud of you,” she breathes against my mouth.

“It’s all because of you, baby,” I say honestly. “All of it.”

She pulls back just enough to look at me, already shaking her head.

“Not a chance, Brennan,” she says softly. “That was all you. I just reminded you who you’ve always been.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Delaney

A game like that absolutely warrants drinks at O’Malley’s after. Let’s be real, most things do. The guys all pile in, beers already waiting for them at the bar and an Old Fashioned sitting in front of me like Corey knew exactly what I’d need. He drops an orange peel into my glass before coming around the bar to pull me into a hug.

“You look great, kiddo. Happy.”

“Thanks, Corey,” I say, smiling. “I am.”

He gives me one of those warm, sincere smiles before heading back behind the bar, and I can’t help but linger in it for a second.

Brennan comes up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist, and I lean back into him instantly, breathing him in as he rests his chin on top of my head. “All mine,” he mutters, squeezing me a little tighter, and my heart does that stupid, fluttery thing it only ever seems to do for him. I turn in his arms, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before slipping away toward the bathroom. I glance back just before I disappear through the door, watching the guys dote on him. They deliver high fives, bear hugs and fist bumps every time they walk by and the look on his face is easy, happy, and it means everything to me to see him like this.

When I push into the bathroom, Emma’s already there at the sink, drying her hands. She looks up, takes one look at me, and smiles like she knows exactly what I’m thinking. She raises a brow as she tosses her paper towel. “You look…disgustingly happy.”

“Please don’t say it like that,” I mutter, moving to the sink. “You’re making it sound like I have a problem.”

“You do,” she says easily. “It’s called being in love.”

I shoot her a look in the mirror. “Relax. I’m managing it.”

“Are you?” she asks, softer now, leaning against the counter. “Because from where I’m standing, you look like someone who’s already in too deep.”

I turn the water on, focusing a little too hard on washing my hands. “Well, good thing I’m a strong swimmer.”

Emma huffs out a quiet laugh. “Yeah…except this isn’t the kind you fight.”

I glance at her.

She just smiles, gentle but knowing. “You guys remind me a lot of Shayne and me.”

“Yeah?” I ask, quieter now.

“Yeah. Easy, simple. But a lot bigger than anyone really knows from the outside looking in.”

I smile at her and tears suddenly threaten, stinging my eyes in the best way. I let them fall. “Well,” I say, taking in a deep, much needed breath. “Can’t think of a better compliment than that.”

She just watches me for a second, then leans in for a hug. “I’m really happy for you,” she says as she squeezes harder. “Both of you.”

“It’s just…nice to see it finally work out the way it’s supposed to,” I breathe into her.

She huffs out a small breath, pulling back. “Took long enough.”

I just smile. “Worth it though.”

When we finish up and I reach the high-top table Brennan’s standing at, his eyes lock on me like I’m the only thing in the room. I realize he’s completely ignoring the older woman he was obviously mid conversation with, and I hear him apologize when he realizes, but the woman just smirks.