Page 17 of Forbidden Impulses

The two men quickly take over, checking on everything that needs checking on, and overall just fussing in the way a girl needs her parents to fuss over her. Watching Suzie with her dads leaves me with a nasty mess of feelings to try and sort through, so instead ofsticking around in case they need me, I slip back into my bedroom, silently pushing the door shut.

I'm really glad that Suzie has someone to look out for her, especially right now, when it's obvious my head isn't in the game. She deserves it more than anyone I know. It's also a relief that the pressure won't be on me to be an adult right now.

But I'm also left with the big, green, dirty feeling inside the pit of my stomach. Why should she have that, and I can't?

I couldn't have it with Jackson. I couldn't have it with my own damn parents. And if my past track record is anything to go by, it doesn't look like I'll have anything like that in my future either.

Furiously wiping away the stubborn tears that push their way out, I storm to my bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and hide.

I'll be all adulty later.

Chapter Thirteen

Lorcan

"Seriously!" Suzie cries out in annoyance. "Go! I've got my bed, Netflix and my e-reader. All I'm going to do today is lie around and sleep."

She's propped up in bed, a whole pharmacy's worth of meds lined up on her bedside table and the TV remote within easy reach. Her voice is nasally from being stuffed and her face is still pretty flushed from the fever that's finally coming down now that we got some meds into her. She's in the process of convincing us that Annie needs us more than she does, and she's doing a pretty good job of it.

"We've come all this way, and she's barely gotten to do anything other than hang out with me." Suzie takes a deep breath and blows her nose before zeroing in on me again. "Lo, she needs to have some fun. More than anyone I know. Help her have some fun."

"Suzie!" Annie cries out from her spot at the door connecting the two rooms.

I'm not sure when exactly she'd come in, but Isuppose it saves us from having to fetch her and follow through on Suzie's request.

"I can't believe you're trying to shove me off on your parents!" Annie scolds her friend as she moves closer to the bed. "I came to check on you, only to find you arranging a pity hangout. Who says I don't wanna hang out in here with you, you little shit?"

Suzie responds with a sneeze before wiping her nose. She rolls her eyes, but smiles through all the tissues. "Annie, I love you. Please, go and enjoy yourself. You deserve it. Our last hoorah before we buckle down and get all the work done, right?"

Annie hesitates, so I move in behind her, my nerves fluttering at my next move when I place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Annie. Suzie needs some sleep and you need to eat. Let's make the most of your time here."

Montgomery nods in agreement. "Lorcan's right. And I'm starving."

With Suzie's gaze narrowed on her, and my hand on her shoulder, Annie finally relents.

"Let me go grab a jacket and I'll meet you at the elevator." Annie sends a shy smile our way, not meeting our eyes before squeezing Suzie's hand and slipping out of the room.

I let out a breath I don’t realize I'm holding as I watch her go. Turning to Suzie, I offer a reassuring smile. "We'll take good care of her. You just rest, alright?"

Suzie nods, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "Thanks, Lo. And you too, Monte. Make sure she has fun."

Monte steps forward, giving Suzie a gentle hug. "We will. You take it easy, kiddo."

With that, we make our way to the hallway, closingSuzie's door softly behind us. We exchange a glance, both feeling the weight of the day's upcoming events. We haven't spoken about the kiss and Monte's reaction to it since that initial fight.

"This is it," I whisper. "We need to make sure she has a good time, but also... we need to talk to her."

My husband nods, his expression serious. "I know. We probably need to talk first, too." He looks at her door before grabbing my hand and pulling me closer. "I'm in. Okay? I'm all the way in, but we have to be careful and take things slow. And we have to make it clear to her we're in this together."

The words are exactly what I want to hear, and the earnest look on his face helps relieve any lingering tension and worry. "You're sure?"

In response, he wraps his arms around me, cupping my face before claiming my mouth in a kiss.

We pull apart at the sound of a door opening in the hallway and turn to face Annie.

"Ready?" I ask, giving her an encouraging smile.

Annie nods. "Ready."

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