Page 190 of Let You Love Me

“Okay, now this is getting weird,” Graham says.

“Gettingweird?” Atlas blinks across from me, his arms around Graham and Jace. “It’sbeenfucking weird.”

“When do we break?” Jace whispers, ignoring them. “Is it time to break? The chicks are all watching us, and I feel like we’ve held too long now for a casual release.”

Graham flinches. “Casual release? The fuck you talking about?”

“Okay, we’ll break on three,” Jace whispers. “One, two . . .”

“Oh, dear lord . . .” I close my eyes.

“Three!”

LANE

SIX MONTHS LATER . . .

It’s funny how all of life’s miracles happen when you least expect it.

Getting pregnant with Sophie.

Finding Teagan.

I’ve been blessed enough with those two things alone to last me a lifetime.

I glance over at Teagan’s profile in the sunshine while he watches Sophie try and bait a fishing hook, chuckling when she sticks her tongue out in concentration, and I smile.

On days like today, while we’re sitting on the dock of the lake house with the water stretched out before us, I glance over at the two of them and I feel so full I might burst. Life without Teagan Nichols was fine, manageable, but lifewithTeagan Nichols is nothing short of incredible.

Everything is falling into place.

Teagan found an amazing apartment just off campus—though it’s more a formality than anything considering, since we moved in a few months ago, he spends most of his time with us here. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon, especially with spring semester having come to an end and summer starting. All Teagan has been able to talk about is everything he hopes to do with us between his summer classes and my work schedule, including teaching Sophie how to fish, which is why he’s currently helping her cast a fishing line into the lake.

They’ve been at it for hours, and though she’s getting better, she still needs help.

“Last one,” I call out, “and then we really need to get going.”

Today is Sunday, which means brunch with my parents, and instead of avoiding Sunday afternoons at my childhood home, I actually get to enjoy them now. No more Chance. No more tiptoeing around the house, uncomfortable encounters, or the guilt of keeping secrets from my folks.

Ever since his injury, Teagan has earned himself a permanent place at their table, and I’m not sure who’s happier about it, him or my mother. She loves his voracious appetite, and he loves her cooking, and though he and my father talk football, it’s no longer the only point of conversation at the table.

Once Sophie reels her line back in, we pack up the tackle box Teagan bought for her birthday last week and head for the car.

The drive to my parents’ house is filled with laughter and chatter from the back seat as Sophie talks about the zoo trip Teagan promised her next weekend during Brynn’s muchanticipated visit. By the time we pull into the driveway of my parent’s house, she’s practically bouncing with excitement.

We head inside, and the comforting scent of crepes and strawberries wraps around me like a warm blanket. We’re not more than three steps into the kitchen when my mother pounces.

“Teagan, love!” Mom crosses the room and pulls him into her arms for a hug before she holds him at arm’s length, looking him over like she hadn’t just seen him last week. “All that sun you’ve been getting at the lake this week agrees with you. You look dashing with a tan.”

“Mom.” I blush, completely mortified at the way she fawns over him all the time, but also in complete agreement because Teagan is heart-stoppingly handsome with all that smooth, golden skin.

“What, darling, I have eyes.” She winks and my mouth gapes while Teagan chuckles beside me.

“Thanks, Dolly. You don’t look so bad yourself. Getting ready for your trip to the Virgin Islands?”

“Yes! We’re all set. I still can’t believe Ed surprised me withthreeweeks away. What will I ever do without my Sweet Sophie?” she asks, using Teagan’s nickname for her as she wraps her up in a hug.

“Sitting on an island, sipping Painkillers? I’m sure you’ll manage.” I laugh.