Page 38

Eddie steps inside, his boots heavy on the floor, his jacket slung over his shoulder. His gaze lands on us and, for a second, something flickers in his eyes—something unreadable.

Then he smirks. “Am I interrupting something?”

Cherry grins and turns back to her coffee. “Nope. Just girl talk.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow at me, and I shift in my seat, feeling suddenly exposed. How much did he hear?

His smirk deepens, but there’s something softer behind it. And suddenly, I realize—I really need to be careful.

Because if I’m not, I might just be the one breaking my own heart.

15.Eddie

Walkinginto my house and finding Laney and Cherry sitting in my kitchen, chatting like old friends, isn’t something I expected. But damn if it doesn’t settle something deep inside me.

I pause in the doorway, unnoticed, catching the tail end of their conversation.

“…just be careful,” Cherry is saying, her voice softer than usual.

I frown, my jaw clenching. What the hell is she warning Laney about?

Laney shifts, stirring her coffee. “Why?”

Cherry sighs. “Because Eddie’s the best man I know. But he’ll break your heart, even if he doesn’t mean too.”

Annoyance prickles down my spine.

What the fuck, Cherry?

I keep my expression neutral as I step forward, pretending I didn’t hear a damn thing.

Laney turns at the sound of my boots on the hardwood. Her eyes find mine, and I see a flicker of something there—something warm, something safe.

I walk straight to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into my side. She lets out a soft sigh, leaning into me,and damn if that doesn’t do something to my chest. I drop an easy kiss on her temple, liking the way she melts against me.

Yeah. This feels right.

Coming home to her.

Having her here, in my space, like she belongs.

I breathe her in—vanilla and honey—and something settles in my bones.

Cherry clears her throat. “Well, look at you all domesticated.”

I smirk but don’t let go of Laney. “Something like that.”

Cherry watches me, her dark eyes knowing, and I don’t like it one bit. But before she can say anything else, I ask, “How’s Jake?”

Her face lights up and, just like that, I can see how much she loves her husband. “Amazing.” She grins. “And—we’re expecting.”

I blink, then grin wide. “No shit?”

She nods, beaming.

“C’mere,” I say, pulling her into a hug. She laughs as I squeeze her tight. “Congratulations, Cherry.”

“Thanks, Eddie.”