Page 42 of Proof

“It’s okay with me. I like her. She’s fun and funny.”

“Let’s see. If I get full custody, and I marry Luna, all three of us would be living together.”

“Yep.” Carter was nonchalant.

“And you wouldn’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t. But maybe she would!” Carter howled.

Chris broke into a chuckle. “Very true.” Then his thoughts went to what life might be like for the three of them. Together. A family. It was definitely something he should seriously consider.

Chapter Eleven

Buncombe County

Cards on the Table

Cullen was unusually nervous. Was it because he’d planned a ruse to get his sister and her boyfriend together? Or was it because he was planning on having “the talk” with Chi-Chi? In either case, he couldn’t stop pacing the back of his workshop. Luna brought him his usual breakfast treat of scones and a latte. Normally, Cullen would grab the scone from the plate and take a huge bite, but not that morning.

“You okay?” Luna eyed him closely.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

She was still holding the plate with the untouched scone. “Because you usually dive into this.” She held it up in front of his face and then set the coffee on the workbench.

“Stomach is a little off.” Cullen wasn’t lying. He’d had butterflies all morning.

“Oh, I know—you’re excited about your date with Chris,” she teased.

“Aren’t you the funny one?” He grabbed the scone from the plate. “It’s about tomorrow night.”

“What about it?”

“You know. Dinner. Me. Cooking. Chi-Chi. And all the rest.”

“Ah. Right. Cullen, it’s going to be fine.”

“Are you sure about that?” He knitted his brow.

“I know I’ve been a terrible judge when it comes to my own romances, Chris notwithstanding. I just happened to luck out with him.”

“It took you an entire year to ‘luck out.’” He made a finger quote with the hand that wasn’t wrapped around the pastry.

“True. But look how long it took for you to ask Chi-Chi out to dinner. Several months. And now you’re a couple.”

He brushed the crumbs from his mouth. “I suppose.”

“Don’t be daft.” Luna rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Okay, so sue me. I’m nervous.” Cullen slowly ate the rest of the scone to avoid further conversation.

“Well, don’t be. If anyone should be nervous, it’s me.”

“How so?” he mumbled.

“Chris wants to talk to me about something.”

“And that’s bad, why?”

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