Page 63 of The Merger

She narrows her eyes. “I’ll hang out with you because I want any details you missed. And then I’ll drive you to my house to get the Gremlin.”

“You’re the best.”

“Better than Tate?”

I laugh as she stands and follows me up the stairs.

Gannon

“Hey, B,” I say as soon as Bianca answers the phone. “I didn’t know if you’d pick up.”

“I’m not sure if I’m not sleeping because I’m too happy or too exhausted.”

I grin as I stare out the kitchen window. “Tell yourself it’s the first.”

“Right? But it’s probably that anyway. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.”

It took two solid hours in the gym for my body to finally give up and wear out enough for me to settle. It might not be from happiness like my sister, but it’s adrenaline all the same. Bianca has her happy ending. I got a taste of what happiness could feel like with Carys on my lap, and that will have to be enough for me.

Sleep wasn’t possible on Carys’s loveseat. Even if I could get comfortable, I wouldn’t have been able to ignore her lying just a few feet away from me. She snored softly, her lips pressed in a perfect pout. Just being in the room with her, in her house, was something I never imagined would actually happen. It felt like I was exactly where I should have been—in her space, taking care of her. I also never imagined that I’d be in that position and not feel uncomfortable or awkward.Or unwanted.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, turning away from the window. “Is Foxx taking good care of you?”

“He’s about to drive me crazy.” She laughs. “He’s a helicopter husband at this stage.”

I chuckle. “Better that than the alternative.”

“He’s been amazing, both with me and our daughter.”

“I’m glad. I’m happy for you, Bianca.”

“Thanks, Gannon.” She sighs. “You hear all these stories about how having a baby changes your life, and I always thought it was silly. How could having a baby change you in a moment? But it’s true. All of it. Even though I love Foxx with everything in me, having this little piece of both of us … our love created a life. It changed the makeup of the world. Isn’t that amazing?”

I wince. “That’s amazing.”

She laughs. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude to throw something as nasty as emotions onto you.”

“Apology accepted.”

She laughs again. “So when are you coming down to see us?”

“Mom said you wanted time alone.”

“We do. I mean, that’s the plan. But Foxx’s brothers live in the same cul-de-sac as us and none of them understand boundaries.”

“Foxx lets them get away with that?”

“You, dear brother, haven’t met the Carmichael boys. Moss is pretty level-headed. Maddox is mostly calm, but he’s super easy to rile up—which his brothers ensure to do constantly. Jess has the shortest trigger and is always in a prank battle with one of them. He also thinks he’s a chicken farmer now.” She pauses. “And then there’s Banks. He’s … Banks.”

“Maybe you can just bring Emery up here.”

The sound of a baby whimper slips through the air, and Bianca soothes the child until she stills.

My heart swells as I listen to their interaction, and I consider what could’ve been. What is it like for Foxx to watch his wife and daughter? How does it feel to have a woman in your life who chose you and willingly gave her life,her body, to create a family with you?

I clear my throat. “I’ll let you go. I know you’re busy. I just wanted to congratulate you.”

“That means a lot, Gannon. Thank you.”