Page 81 of Ruled Out

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Trying to explain to Tara why I’m dressed up to go out, but not with her. Down in a second.

I’m going to need more details on this outfit …

Well, you’ll see it in a minute.

Thank fuck.

Don’t get smart with me, Callaghan. Only good boys get rewarded.

And also caught. Tell Tara you’ll fill her in on the details later.

P.S. And you best believe I’m cashing in on my good-boy reward.

Five minutes later, Mia emerges from her building just as a couple of guys who look like seniors pass by, heading in the opposite direction.

“Keep walking, fucker,” I mumble to myself as the dark-haired dude checks her out from over his shoulder.

Her little black dress sits mid-thigh, and combined with a cropped leather jacket and black ankle boots, I can’t exactly blame the guy for looking. I know I’d have done exactly the same in college.

Too bad she’s taken.

Pulling my cap as low as it can go, I step out of my car when she approaches and head around to the passenger door, pulling it open for her.

“Am I overdressed?” She winces, looking down at herself. “I can head back up and change.”

There’s no one around when I step forward and press her up against my car, bringing my knee up and between her thighs, feeling her heat radiate through my jeans. “Now that I’ve seen you in that dress, there’s absolutely no way you’re taking it off.” I press my knee into her center, and she grinds down on me, a whimper leaving her pink-stained lips. “That is until I peel it off you later.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Fucking right it is, Miss Jenkins.” My lips hover over hers as a couple passes along the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. I lean down and press a kiss behind her ear. “I’ve never been a jealous kind of guy, but it isn’t just Leo who appreciates what I have.” I nod at the open door. “Now, get in my car and let me keep you all to myself.”

The front doorto Zach and Luna’s double-fronted house swings open as soon as we pull into their driveway, the gravel crunching beneath my tires.

“That’s Luna, right?” Mia turns to me, her eyes lit with excitement.

Picking up our joined hands, I press a kiss along her knuckles. “Yep.” I point at the boy she’s holding with matching auburn hair. “That’s Aster. He’s a month younger than June and Will, but he sure makes up for it.”

Mia’s lips twist to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Once you get to know his mom, you’ll know exactly what I mean.” I chuckle. “Despite being older, the twins and Asterhad very similar due dates, it’s just that June and Will came early. So Kate and Luna agreed they would celebrate their first birthdays jointly. Aster and the twins are inseparable; could’ve been triplets,” I muse, a pang of sadness hitting when I think about how close I would’ve been to Will if he’d survived.

Mia hesitates for a second, her brow creasing like she wants to say something, but knows I need this moment to sit with my thoughts.

A beat later, Luna waves at us, pulling us back to reality and encouraging Aster to wave along with her.

“She looks like pure sunshine,” Mia says.

“She absolutely is,” I reply, pushing my car door open. “And I think you’ll love her.”

“It’s so great to meet you!” Luna coos, bouncing on the balls of her feet as Mia and I climb the porch steps of their huge new home.

“So good to meet you too.” Mia looks at her son, who’s fighting to break free from Luna’s arms. “And you must be little Aster?”

“He’s a bit wiggly. Are you okay with that?” Luna asks.

She flips her hands toward herself, and I watch as my girlfriend takes him into her arms and balances him on her hip. She flicks her eyes up to mine and then back down to Aster.