Page 79 of Keeping Promises
Hadley brushes her lips softly against mine, and like it is with every kiss, I need more. I slip my tongue between her lips to deepen the kiss, but we’re quickly broken apart when there is a throat clearing behind us.
“Hey now, don’t be scaring my goddaughter over there, okay?” My brother chuckles as he approaches with two trays of appetizers and sets them down on the coffee table in front of us before heading back into the other room. Lexi follows behind with two bottles of champagne.
Ben returns with a tray of glasses. Lexi holds up the bottle toward Hadley to see if she wants one. Hadley holds up her thumb and index finger, indicating just a small amount. “Just a little bit.”
Hadley had no complications with adjusting to breastfeeding, so I know she will be limiting alcohol because of it. I’ve heard stories that there was a time when she could have drunk me under the table, but after nine months of no drinking, I would imagine it’s more like after one drink, she will be passed out under the table herself.
Everyone has a glass when the front door opens. “Hey, guys, sorry we’re late.” We all spin to find Brynn walking in with a guy who looks like he walked straight out of a frat house—khakis that seems as if they were painted on his body and a polo shirt. Okay, not just a polo shirt, but a watermelon-pink shirt. I bet if I looked over the back of the couch at his feet, he would be wearing Dockers with no socks.
He looks around at us before putting a smile on his face, then glances down at Brynn and whispers something in her ear. Whatever it was, she ends up letting out a small giggle before straightening her back. They approach hand in hand. No one is subtle as we look back and forth between our late arrivals and Cal. His jaw is tight, his shoulders pushed back as if he’s puffing his chest out to make himself look manlier.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been around when Brynn has a date, but I’ve never seen this macho man reaction out of Cal. Fascinating.
“Guys, this is Spencer.” She extends her hand to our small group. “Spencer, this is everyone.”
I bring my lips to Hadley’s ear. “Steven, Simon, Silas, huh?”
She whispers back, “At least I got theSright, asshole.” She playfully shoves my shoulder, and Olivia finally begins to stir, letting out the softest coo. I quirk an eyebrow in her direction as if to say,Good going.
“Nice to meet you all,” Spencer finally speaks. “Congrats on the—” He nods his head toward Olivia, who is fidgeting in my arms.
“Kid?” Cal finishes his sentence tersely.
“Yeah, that.” Well, based on his tone, I’d say kids aren’t really on his radar. Then again, I never thought kids were on my radar either, but look at me now. I’m a pro at diaper changes and dealing with baby spit-up.
“How about a toast.” Lexi gives Brynn and Spencer glasses filled with champagne.
I adjust Olivia in my arms so she is now lying upright on my chest as I stand and turn to help Hadley rise beside me.
“To celebrating new beginnings.” Hadley raises her glass. I can’t think of a better toast. Not only are Hadley and I officially back together and living together, not to mention the arrival of our little Olivia Josephine, but we’re just three months away from Ben and Lexi finally tying the knot.
“To new beginnings,” we all cheers in unison.
As I bring the flute to my lips, the bubbles tickle my nose. Overtop of the glass, I never take my eyes off Cal and Spencer. If we were in a movie, I’m pretty sure there would be a duel ready to go down to claim Brynn’s hand. Has Cal even looked at Zoe once since Brynn arrived?
Oh man, the tension surrounding the living room is like a ticking time bomb, and someone has just set the countdown.
Three…
Two…
One…
THE END