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“I … wasn’t sure.” My eyes blur with unshed tears. Damn pregnancy hormones have me all emotional.
“Are you about to cry?”
“No.”
“Come here.” He opens his arms, and I lean into Niko’s hug. “You okay, String Bean?”
I push away from him and wipe my eyes. “This baby is making me soft.”
“Sky told me you once cried over an SPCA commercial.”
“I did, and she wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that.”
He gives a slight smile. “So, everything’s good with you and Hunter?”
“Everything’s fine.”
“Who is that?” Niko juts his chin toward the end of the hall.
I peek over my shoulder at Jessica and Hunter. They’re having what looks like an unpleasant conversation. Hunter’s back is to us, but the crestfallen look on Jessica’s face tells me all that I need to know.
Didn’t I tell him not to say anything? Ugh. I swear … that man. I can’t believe he’s doing this. Here. Now. On our day. In front of everyone. From where I stand, it looks as if no one is paying them any attention. Good.
“An old friend of Hunter’s from high school.”
“Is that all she is?”
“Niko,” I say with a sigh.
Niko drops his gaze to his shoes on an exhale before looking back at me. “I’ll fall back.”
“You will?” I study him, still skeptical.
“This is your life, String Bean. I’m going to let you live it and love you through it—even if I don’t agree or understand it. Because that’s how we fucking roll. Till the wheels fall off.”
I give a watery smile as we tap fists. “For life.”
“And just so you know, there will always be a bedroom in my home for you—if you ever need it.”
“Thanks, Big Head.”
“Sure thing, String Bean.” He grins, looking impressed with himself. “You heard that rhyme? Straight bars.”
I laugh. “I see what you did there. But don’t quit your day job.”
“Nah, sis. Jordyn would kick my ass.”
“She’s a keeper, by the way.”
“I know. I’m never letting that woman go.”
“Thinking about putting a ring on it?”
He stares out over my shoulder toward the party. “Oh, hell yeah.”
I squeal and almost pee myself. “Oh, crap. I have to go.”
“Did you just piss yourself?”
