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“Now that that’s settled, what do you think of your nieces?” Kat beamed up at Jay as if she already knew his answer.

“They’re beautiful, Kat. Just like their mother. I’m glad you and the twins are alright.”

The new parents nodded. Kat left it down to the wire in getting to the hospital. After eight hours of intensive labor, the Knight twins were born via Caesarian. Just seeing their precious daughters had made the uncertainty and worry worth it.

“I’m glad we’re all alright, Hope included. It’s nice to see her part of the group now. I like her,” Kat said, and Jay smirked.

“So does Brick. I figured he’ll make it official soon enough.”

“Good. I’m ready for another wedding. I thought Zane and Bridget or even Isobel and Egan would tie the knot by now, but they’re holding out.”

The men chuckled at Kat’s assessment, but they knew it was more complicated for both couples than that. With Bridget raising Marlowe and Mathias, she wasn’t looking to upset their routine by adding a husband to the mix, though the kids thought Zane was their very own superhero. Then Isobel and Egan being separated by distance opened up many scenarios that had to be resolved before they took the marital plunge.

Brick on the other hand. The way he was watching Hope hold Lilah while he settled Marlowe in his lap to listen to her talk painted a picture of the kind of husband and father the big man would be. Brick’s thoughts ran along the same line, as he watched Hope nuzzle the cooing baby in her arms.

“You know you’re fitting right in with our group,” Brick told her as conversation continued around them.

Hope smiled brightly at him. “I like your family, and it’s obvious they’re fond of you. I can’t say I blame them.”

Her innocent compliment lit fire in his blood. His eyes dipped down to her mouth, and he saw the pulse in her throat quicken. Then she dropped her eyes to the young girl in his lap, chattering away without noticing the tension between the two adults, and Brick willed his desire under control.

Marlowe asked him a question. Lilah started to fuss. But he caught and held Hope’s gaze, his eyes communicating a promise that they would have the rest of the night and many more nights to come to show their feelings to one another.