Page 122 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Are you sure it’s okay?” She looked nervously at Tank and Rosie.

He shifted so she was looking at him. “One hundred percent. Are you with me?”

She smiled and took his hand. “Always.”

“I go, too?” Rosie asked.

“Yeah, Cheeky, you’re coming,” Tank said, and she beamed.

“But Papa Tank, she can’t go,” Junie complained.

“You’re coming, too, Twitch.” Tank lifted Junie into his other arm. “Lee?”

“We’re coming.” She picked up Leo, and Tank led the way as the three brothers who had lost a sister, and a big part of themselves, took the stage with the women and children who had unknowingly helped them heal their broken hearts.

THERE WASN’T A dry eye in the house as Baz and his family talked about Ashley and at least fifty other people got up to talk about loved ones and friends they’d lost. Hours later, after tears were shed, stories were shared, and the winners of the silent auction were announced, everyone danced and ate. Brennan was fast asleep in the crook of Baz’s arm as he and Emerson made their way around the room chatting with friends and family.

As they walked away from Reese and Blaine, Emerson said, “I’m thirsty. Do you mind if we get a drink?”

“Do I ever mind?” He put his hand on her back and kissed her just as the band started playing “I Gotta Feeling.”

Madigan and Marly ran over, linking their arms with Emerson.

“Come on, Em. Dance with us,” Madigan urged.

“Um…?” Emerson’s eyes widened, and she looked at Baz.

“Go. Have fun. I’ll get your drink.” He kissed her, and loved hearing her giggle with the girls as they hurried toward the dance floor.

He headed up to the coffee bar, ordered her favorite juice, and turned to watch her. She was flat-out gorgeous in that green dress, swaying her hips and laughing with the girls, but it was that new light in her eyes that had his heart filling up again. Only it wasn’t new. It was just brighter, and freer, closer to the light he’d seen in her eyes in the pictures from when she was young. He knew better than anyone that she’d never be completely carefree again. But it was damn good to see her so fucking happy, especially on such an emotional day. He looked down at Brennan, still fast asleep, and said, “We’re the luckiest guys on this earth, and I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure your mama feels like the luckiest woman.”

“That’s an awfully big promise,” Evie said as she sidled up to him, pretty in a colorful summer dress, her long hair loose and tousled.

“Hey, Eves. You look nice.”

“I know,” she teased.

The bartender put Emerson’s drink down in front of Baz and asked Evie if she wanted anything.

“No, thank you.” When the bartender went to help someone else, Evie eyed Brennan. “Looks like you skipped husband material and went straight to daddy.”

“I’d proudly wear that name for this little guy. You looked pretty damn good with Marybelle in your arms earlier.”

“I felt good, too,” she admitted.

“Yeah? You and Quinton heading in that direction?”

“We haven’t talked about kids, but I’m not getting any younger, and I’m so happy with him. He told me he loves me.” She whispered loves, her eyes glittering. “And I said it back.”

“That’s great, Eves. It feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Better than anything.”

He scoffed. “Don’t tell him that.”

“Why?”

“Because Quint’s mind will go straight to sex, and he’ll think he’s lacking in that department.”