Page 90 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

“I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re settling because you’re in Aspen Springs. We wanted to give you a place to make your dreams happen even from here.”

Settling? What is he talking about?This is the only place I would want to run a photography business from. It’s the only place I want to live.

All my favorite people are here. There isn’t anywhere else I would want to be.

“I don’t want to do this anywhere else. Aspen Springs is my home. It was when I was a kid because of my family.” New tears spring to my eyes at what I’m about to say. “And it is now because of you three.”

Austin lets out a breath that it seems like he’s been holding for longer than he’d probably admit. I gesture for the other two to come over closer. They step on either side of Austin, crowding in close.

I’ve never said this to a man before, but I guess I’m going to say this to three of them now.

“I love you guys,” I say, my eyes connecting with each of them.

“What the fuck?” Brooks says, scowling at me. “I was going to say it first. I’ve been struggling not to say it for…” He pauses. “I don’t know… a long time.”

I bite my lip to keep from laughing at him.

Conrad tilts my chin toward him. “I love you, too, sweetheart. So much. I’m pretty sure I half fell in love with you on that airplane, but every day since has just solidified it for me.”

Fuck. I need to drink some water. I’m going to be dehydrated after this.

His thumbs wipe my tears away before he leans in to kiss me.

I hear Brooks groan from my other side, but Austin rests his forehead against mine.

“Hadley, I’m in love with you in a way I never thought I would let myself be, but for you, it was worth it. I love you, angel.” He kisses away a few more tears that fall.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Brooks groans, running his hands through his hair that falls around his shoulders.

I smirk as I scooch over on the counter until he’s situated between my legs. “Did you have something to say, handsome?” I say, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

“Yeah, I wanted to say that I love that you always have hair ties if I need one. I love how you look in my hoodies. I love how sweet your pussy tastes.”

I snort out a laugh, but his face is dead serious, so I keep my mouth shut.

“I love how you fit perfectly into my side when we’re cuddling.” His shoulders shrug. “I just love our life with you in it. You make everything better, baby.”

I press my lips to his. “That was super sweet, but I’m pretty sure you never said ‘I love you’ in all of that.”

His head jerks back, and I try to keep the smile from my face.

“Well, I do. I love you.”

“I know. I love you, too,” I say, trapping my bottom lip between my teeth.

He growls, lifting me off the counter and over his shoulder. His hand lands on my ass.

“You’re going to pay for that, Trouble.” He makes his way back through the building and to the trucks parked outside.

He sets me down on the ground. “Where are we going now?” I ask, looking to all three of them for answers.

“We have one more surprise for you,” Conrad says.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Brooks

As soon asConrad slides his truck into park in front of our house, I bolt to Austin’s truck that’s parked beside us. Swinging open her door, I hold my hand out for Hadley.