Page 124 of Dad Next Door

A knock on the door saved me from having to answer, but not even my tight jeans could hide my boner as Quinn opened the door for Evan and Vlado.

A burst of laughter from the main part of the house caught my attention, and I couldn’t stop my smile.

This was the life I’d always wanted, the one I’d spent way too many years trying to create. I had a partner who loved me. Who constantly found new ways to show me how much he cared. He supported my dreams, encouraged me to reach for the stars, and he loved my son like he was his own.

But beyond that, he’d also opened my eyes to what family could be. His parents, brothers, and his friends accepted both Leo and me with open arms and lots of gentle teasing.

Instead of spending my days alone and regretting the time I lost, I now looked forward to every day that I got to spend with the man who’d shown me that my past didn’t define me. That I could have everything I wanted, and it was never too late to take control of my life and my future.

He was my best friend, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures we’d have together.

EPILOGUE

Quinn

Six years later

“Babe?” I called, stepping into the house. “Babe?” I tried again when no one answered.

Confused, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time.

Tristan had sent me a text that morning telling me to come home at six so he could show me something important. He hadn’t told me what it was when I’d asked, just said it was good and not to worry. It was just after six. Was he running late?

I was about to text him but paused. None of the pets had come to greet me. That was weird.

“Tris?” I called. “Babe?”

A sound from the great room caught my attention. Was that one of the pets? Why hadn’t any of them come when I’d opened the door?

Worriedly, I hurried through the entrance and into the great room.

“SURPRISE!” Leo yelled, jumping out from the shadows and waving his arms maniacally.

“Ahhhh!” I screeched, jumping a foot and nearly falling on my ass.

He burst out laughing. “You should see your face right now,” he howled, bending over at the waist and slapping his knee in glee.

“You’re having way too much fun right now,” I grumbled, my heart still racing from the shock.

“That’s what you get for putting cling wrap across my door last week.” He snickered, not quite finished laughing at me.

“That was retaliation for the water balloons you threw at me when I was coming out of the hot tub,” I pointed out.

He grinned wickedly. “That was freaking hilarious.”

“Glad you thought so.” I looked around the room. “Where’s your dad?”

He shrugged. “No clue. He told me to make sure I was home and put the animals in their rooms for six. Scaring the crap out of you was not part of his instructions, FYI. That was all me.”

“Good to know. Did he say why?”

“Nope.”

I glanced around the room again, taking in the mess of pet supplies and the random things Leo had left laying around, a little thrill going through me, even though this had been my reality for the past five years.

After a year together, Tristan, Leo and the pets had moved in with me, bringing with them all the chaos and mess that came with having a tween and a small army of animals.

I loved every second of being part of their family.

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