Page 209 of Sinful Like Us

“I’m not sure how you’ll take this,” she starts.

I stroke sweaty pieces of hair off her face. “Try me.”

“I’ve always dreamed to one day be there for Moffy the way that my mom was there for her sister. I plan to extend the offer now that he’s with Farrow. I’d love nothing more than to do this for them…you look utterly confused.”

“I’m not.” I understand what she’s saying, what she’s referencing.

Rose Calloway was a surrogate for Daisy. She carried her sister’s child, and almost fifteen years ago, Rose gave birth to Winona Meadows.

“You want to be a surrogate so you can help Maximoff have kids?” I ask if I’m right.

“Precisely.” She smooths her lips. “Since you and I are building a future together, I want to make sure you’re okay with this before I tell Moffy and Farrow.”

She’ll be pregnant with their baby… “From what I remember, Winona is still genetically Daisy and Ryke’s child, right?”

“Right. My mom just carried her, but obviously Maximoff and Farrow need an egg, and I thought…well, I’d be willing to give them mine.” She looks more nervous because this changes things.

She’d be the kid’s biological mom. They would have Jane’s DNA, her features.

“Moffy and Farrow might not even sayyes,” Jane says quickly, but I can see that she hopes they do. “Say something, please.”

I realize I’m stoic, nothing passing through my hardened face, and I let go and stare deeper into Jane. In awe of her kindness and love. “You’re a beautiful person. I hope you know that.”

She starts crying.

I hold her, and I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “I love you, and I’m by your side in everything.” After a few minutes, she dries her eyes and looks back up at me.

I nod. “The second something?”

“Yes. It’s good news.” Her cheeks dimple in a smile. “Remember how we agreed not to get married before Moffy and Farrow?”

“Yeah.”I remember.

Jane doesn’t want to take the spotlight from her best friend, and I can appreciate that. If roles were reversed and Banks were Maximoff, I’d want my brother to get married first.

When my mom asked me about the wedding date—I told her the truth. We didn’t have one, and it probably wouldn’t be foryears.

Maximoff and Farrow have always wanted a long engagement.Two years, they said. Which would make our engagement even longer.

I can wait decades, but I’d love nothing more than to call Jane my wife. I’d marry her tomorrow if I could.

Her lips lift in a smile. “Maximoff said he doesn’t want my engagement to last so long just because of him. Farrow agreed. They’re getting married this year.”

I’m blown back for a second. Emotions surging. My eyes burn, overwhelmed, and I rake a hand over my mouth.I’m going to marry her sooner.Maximoff and Farrow gave that to Jane because they love her. She gives up everything for everyone, and maybe they could see that she shouldn’t have to give something up for them.

“Jane,” I breathe and touch the top of her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” She lightly presses her fingers to the creases beside my eye. “I see it.”

We just stare at one another, love flooding us.

I wishlovecould be enough to carry me through dinner tonight. But knowing her brothers, I could strap on a million pounds of adoration for their sister, and it still wouldn’t be good enough.

43

THATCHER MORETTI

The logisticsof tonight can go straight to hell.