— The Edens

“It happened so naturally, this fall in to Winn.”

“I love you.” “I love you too.” He kissed me again. “Until the end of my days, Memphis. You, me, Drake. We’re good, honey. We’re so fucking good. And we’ll add in a bunch of babies to the mix to keep it interesting.”

“I want to know you, better than anyone else knows you.” His hands came to my face, his palms pushing away the rain and stroking through my wet hair. “What else do you want?” I want this to be real. But it wasn’t. “I want you to kiss me.”

“Good.” I burrowed into his arms. “Now kiss me.” He barely grazed the corner of my mouth. “A real kiss.” “Winn—” “Kiss me, Griffin.”

Knox kissed me and made today my fourth-best day. Drake squawked the moment Knox’s hand slid beneath the hem of my shirt. He tore his mouth away and shot a scowl toward the play mat. “Son, we will work on your timing.” Son. “He is, you know? Your son.”

“Did you make them?” I giggled, feeling some of the tension in my frame melt away. “No, Jasper did.” “He made sure you had food while he was gone? Aww.” Lyla pressed a hand to her heart. “That’s sweet.” It was sweet. And annoying. Because he hadn’t told me he was leaving.”

“We could check into the hotel.” “This is better.” I pressed my nose into his chest, drawing in his woodsy scent. “Kids need room.” “And what do you need?” I tilted my head back, meeting his eyes. “You.”

“Would he miss me? I’d miss him. Now. Later. I was afraid that I’d miss him for the rest of my life. “Will you text me updates as you drive?” I asked. “So I won’t worry?” He nodded, kissing my forehead. Then he was gone, walking out the door.

“Remember.” Remember me. Her hand came to my cheek. “Will you?” For the rest of my life.

jaspereloise from Jasper Vale

taliafoster from Garnet Flats

memphisknox from Juniper Hill

griffinwinn from Indigo Ridge

“The nights when I’d fallen in love with a little boy. And the woman of my dreams.”

“My arms tightened around her, hauling her so close she could feel my arousal. “That flutter is mine. Only mine.” “Huh?” I waited, giving her a minute to understand. No other man got that flutter.”

Memphis walked in with Drake on her hip. Her smile dropped as she saw the mess on the prep table, then her eyes softened. “You’re nervous.” “I’m nervous,” I admitted,

She was the best damn time I’d ever had and so far, all we’d done was kiss.

In that mess, there was passion. In that passion, we were perfect.

“It’s not about you needing the money.” I met his gaze and the pity in his eyes was crippling. “It’s about me being able to pay it.” “But you don’t need to, honey.” Honey. This was the second time he’d called me honey.”