Page 167 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Gavin reached into the bassinet and ran his fingertip over the top of James’s head, not enough to wake him, but enough to make James stir and take a deep breath. “If this kid gets any cuter, I don’t think I’ll be able to stand it.”

“This is nothin’,” Ben said, grinning. “They’re sweet little lumps at this age. Just wait till he calls you Uncle Gav or tries to climb into your lap.”

“Or won’t sleep at night, or throws a toy truck at your head because you told him it was bedtime…” Nora shot them a knowing smile. “It’s not always cute.”

“Way to bring down the room, Ma.”

Nora shrugged as she took another sip of coffee. “I’m just sayin’. You need to know what you’re getting into.”

She was right, of course, but Ben thought they should enjoy the easy parts—easy for them, at least—while they could. He looked at Gavin and said, “It’s gonna suck, so keep that in mind.”

His mother only rolled her eyes before asking, “Have you two started discussing the wedding?”

“That’ll be easy,” Ben said. “Something simple with close friends and family.”

Gavin had plated the food and set it on the table. His eyes were narrowed on Ben. “Why simple? Why not elegant? With good food and good champagne and you in a tux?”

“And there we go,” Nora said, obviously trying not to laugh.

“Why a tux?” Ben asked as he took a forkful of food.

“Why not a tux? I’ve never seen you dressed up…”

Ben still hadn’t gotten a chance to take a bite. “There’s a reason for that.”

Adding fuel to her fire, Nora asked, “What kind of flowers do you want?”

“Something fragrant but not too cliché,” Gavin said. He rolled his eyes when Ben crinkled his nose. “Oh my God, what’s wrong with flowers?”

Ben had finally taken a bite of his breakfast, buying himself a few seconds. “Flowers are fine, but…” He shrugged and gave up on eating for the moment. “Seems like a waste of money is all.”

When Gavin huffed in frustration, Nora actually laughed. “And this is why I’m happy living on the other side of the country.”

Ben could relate.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Gavin

Gavin woke earlier than Ben—something he almost never did. He had to force himself to leave the warm comfort of their bed so he could go find Nora before the rest of the world woke up.

She stood in the guest room, her suitcase open, clothes neatly tucked away.

“Hey,” he said as he walked in, knocking softly on the open door at the same time.

“Hey, yourself.” She only glanced over her shoulder at him, but the look on her face was welcoming, full of affection. “You’re up early,” she said as she flipped the top of her suitcase closed and sat down on the foot of the bed.

Gavin almost told her he couldn’t sleep, but she knew him better than to believe that. “Wanted to make sure you were packed, make sure you didn’t need anything.”

He sat down next to her before she could answer, and Nora laughed.

“You just wanted to beat Ben to me.”

“That too.” Gavin scooted closer so Nora could hook her arm through his. “It’s like he thinks you’re his mother or something,” he teased.

Nora rested her head on his shoulder and let out a short sigh. “Just so ya know,” she said softly, “I don’t think I could choose between you two if I ever had to, so… don’t ever make me.”

Ben had told him basically the same thing already, but he was glad to hear it from her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

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