Page 77 of One Little Kiss

“The Westbrooks,” he says without a hint of sarcasm. “You have us, Winnie.”

“I don’t even know how to explain you, though. How is that going to help in front of a judge? Just because I have rich friends, that can’t outweigh parental rights, can it?”

“It would if you were one of us,” Rylan chimes in without an ounce of irony.

“What?”

“I know Colton wants to marry you. He texts me every day asking what kind of ring he should get you. Maybe it’s time to throw caution to the wind and say I do.”

I gape at her like she’s lost her mind. I’m physically incapable of forming words, and before I know what’s happening, Easton and Lexi enter the family room, each carrying a toddler on their hip, followed by Preston and GG.

“What’s the plan?” Preston asks, hanging his suit coat over the back of a chair.

“What?” It falls from my lips in a whisper.

“No one messes with our family, Winnie.” This time it’s Easton who makes the declaration. “Until Colt can get home, we’re staying by your side. We won’t let some asshole threaten you like this. Weston is ours. End of story.”

I’m not sure I’ve blinked in a full five minutes. My hands shake at my sides, and most shocking of all, Weston is making the rounds, learning how to fist bump with all these Colton look-alikes.

“This isn’t real life,” I mutter.

“Oh, Wendy. This is life, all right. You’ve just been missing out while Pan found his way back to ya.”

Ashton enters the room at full speed, sliding to a stop next to Preston.

“Your entry needs some work, bro.” East pats him on the back, hands him a little boy, and walks toward the kitchen. “Who’s hungry?” He opens the fridge as I stand in a haze. “Looks like it’s a taco night.”

I stand slack jawed as he empties contents from the fridge.

Lexi crosses the room to stand in front of me. She’s so stinking tall she has to bend over to get in my line of sight. “Are you okay?”

“I, uh …” Unable to form a sentence, I shake my head no.

“They can be overwhelming, but they say what they mean, Winnie. It took me a long time to come around to their all-in way of family-ing, but I’ve never once regretted letting them in. Trust takes time. It’s earned. I know that better than most, but try, Winnie. We’re all here for you because Colton loves you, so we do, too.”

My blinking becomes erratic as I fight off tears and she drags me in for a hug. “I’m not a hugger, but look what these assholes did to me? I get needing to be tough, Winnie. We all have stories to tell, but for now, just do your best to let us in.”

“I’ll try,” I mutter against her shoulder.

She pulls away and smiles. “Okay, then. Welcome to the chaos, Winnie.”

“I heard that,” Easton calls from the kitchen.

Lexi rolls her eyes, then steps back and places her little girl on the floor next to Weston. I watch in shock as he stares at her, then smiles. Without saying a word, he hands her his helicopter. He gave her his prized possession. I’m floored by the intrinsic trust he just placed in a new friend.

My nerves are frayed. My emotions are all over the place. I feel more fragile than I’ve ever been, and something else I don’t want to admit is what’s really turning me inside out. I feel loved. And for the first time in my life, I feel safe.

I don’t know how to handle any of this. As if sensing my impending meltdown, Preston stands guard at my side.

“Normally, I’d like to mess with my little brother, but if you don’t take his call soon, he might burn the entire city of Waverley-Cay to the ground.”

I turn to him so fast I’m dizzy.

Preston places a hand on my elbow to steady me, and smirks. With a mischievous grin, he shrugs. “He’s been calling my phone on repeat for five minutes. I don’t think I can make him wait any longer. He’s calling for you, though. Want to take it in his office?”

My gaze snaps to Weston. I want to talk to Colton so badly my body buzzes with need, but I’m not sure I can leave Wes. What if he loses control? What if he can’t handle all the people?

Preston is abnormally good at reading people, and he wastes no time putting my fears to bed.