Page 67 of Seeking Her Studs

“Deep breaths, everyone.” I say as I hurry to get my clothes on. “We got this.”

Colt runs his hand through his hair nervously, and it’s absolutely adorable.

Once my dress is back on and I look presentable enough, I hurry downstairs to welcome Kaylee with a big hug. It already feels nice having her bubbly energy back in the house. The guys make their way down too and each give her a hug to welcome her back home.

“So,” she stretches the word out long as she glance between the four of us. “What did I miss?”

Reese lets out a scoff of a laugh, and I take a deep breath.

“Well, Kaylee,” Colt starts. “A lot has happened since you’ve been gone.”

“Why don’t you guys sit around the kitchen island while I make us some pancakes?” Briggs adds, adjusting our script on the fly. We had originally planned this so that the pancakes were already supposed to be made. We figured a little sweetness for our potentially shocking news would be good.

“Can’t argue with that suggestion.” Kaylee settles herself on the wooden stool at the kitchen island. We line up, standing across from her.

She cocks her head and eyes us suspiciously. “Why do I feel like we’re about to have an intervention?”

“No, no, nothing like that.” I say, my voice cracking with nerves.

“You know that Blaire has been an important part of our lives in the past,” Reese starts as he taps his thumb on the countertop nervously. “And well, now spending time with her again, those same feelings have come up for us.”

“Oh, jeez.” Kaylee takes a deep breath. “That’s all? I thought something horrible was happening! You mean that all of this is to tell me you’ve got feelings for Blaire? Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. I could have saved you the time and told you that the first day she got here.”

“Kaylee, since when do you say the word ‘shit’?” Colt asks sternly.

“So, Blaire, do you like my bonehead brothers back?” Kaylee completely ignores Colt’s reprimand. “They’re pretty great. I won’t lie. But you could date like Harry Styles if you wanted. You’re not going to break their hearts, right?”

I laugh. “I would take your brothers over anyone else in the entire world. Every time.” I say, earnest emotion lining my voice. Reese grabs my hand under the counter. “If it’s okay with you, I plan on sticking around here for good. But we wanted to get your blessing.”

A big smile lights up Kaylee’s face. “Are you kidding me? Hell, yes!” She exclaims.

“Kaylee Hope Rile!” Colt reprimands her. “You do not say hell, either. What kind of camp was it that you went to?”

Kaylee rolls her eyes and pushes back on her stool. She comes around and gives me a big hug. “Maybe you’ll finally get them off my back a little. A girl needs independence.” She breaks out of the hug and looks at me, her eyes lighting up. “Wait, does this mean we get to be sisters? You know sisters share their clothes, right? And introduce each other to their friends. Are you and Mika Lane friends now? I saw that article-”

“Yes,” Reese interrupts and nods.

We all look at him like he’s lost his mind.

“Yes, to which one?” Kaylee asks. “The clothes thing?”

“Yes, she’s going to be your sister-in-law.” His eyes dance with excitement as he says it.

“I-” I stutter, looking at him, confused. “I am?”

Reese grins and lowers himself lithely to the ground, propping himself up on one knee.

One damn knee.

I blink to make sure I’m seeing right as Colt and Briggs join on either side. Briggs reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small red velvet box and opens it.

“Blaire Suzanne Evans, will you marry us?” Colt says and nerves vibrate his usually stoic voice.

Kaylee squeals as I look at them, completely frozen.

For a moment, I’m convinced I’m dreaming.

This was never the life I let myself dream of, though. I thought I’d be alone forever. An island with a shore that is too rocky for any one person to brave. I didn’t know true, vulnerable love could even exist. Yet here I am. Utterly and absolutely in love. And not one single part of me fears that they don’t love me for the right reasons. Because when your soul experiences something this real, you know there is no way to fake it.

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