Page 74 of An Ex Affair

“I always liked you calling me wife,” I admitted.

“I know.”

I jammed my finger in his side for being so cocky, but he just held on to me. I snuggled back into his chest.

“It’s funny how getting fired feels like the worst day ever when it’s happening to you, and then in hindsight it’s the greatest gift life could ever give you.”

He hummed and then kissed the top of my head. “I don’t wish our crooked path on anyone else, but I can’t be mad about it since we ended up here. Together.”

Warrick annoyingly tapped his champagne glass with his spoon somewhere behind Colson. “Kiss!” he shouted. The rest of the guests started chanting it too.

Colson had no choice but to spin me around and lay one on me. I pretended to protest, but gave it up quickly when he made my toes curl in my fancy heels. By the time we separated, the crowd had forgotten about us and gone back to eating.

Colson looked over my head. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

I craned my neck to see a familiar brown head of hair marching our way. He had sunglasses on, which was hilarious considering the sun had gone down a few hours ago. Colson muttered something under his breath and stuck his hand out. Boon shook it, then pulled him into a hug before reaching over to hug me as well.

“Hey, Tully. Nice seeing you again.”

I pulled back and took him in. The man had certainly changed from the skinny kid I’d known when I was with Colson years ago. “Dang, Boon! They give you steroids in the majors?”

He grinned and I saw it in action: the swagger that had women lining up in droves to date this man. “No, ma’am. This isall just hard work and a natural gift of testosterone not known to most men. Sorry to say, you chose the wrong Wolfe brother.”

Colson snarled and put his arm around Boon’s neck. The two tussled until Boon held up his hands. “Don’t hurt me, bro! I’m worth several million at least!”

Colson rolled his eyes, but let him go, straightening his white dress shirt. Boon adjusted his sunglasses that had almost gotten knocked off. Colson shook his head at his little brother.

“You missed the wedding, asshole.”

“I came as soon as I could. We’re in playoffs, dude. Coach already gave me shit for leaving. I have to be back by nine tomorrow morning.” Boon shifted and turned his attention on me. “Now that you’re married again, you going to pop out some kids?”

“Dude? What is wrong with you?” Colson smacked Boon in the back of his head.

Boon held up his hands. “What? Are kids off the table?” Boon leaned in closer to me, whispering, “Are yougoing through the change?”

Colson stepped between us. “Okay, that’s enough out of you. We don’t want kids and you should know better than to ask a woman that.”

Boon sidestepped him lightning quick and put his arm around my shoulders. “She’s my sister! I can’t ask my sister about her health? Jeez, Colson.”

I slugged him in the gut with my fist. He bent over with a wheeze, letting me go. “As your sister, I guess it’s okay that I respond with fists instead of words?”

Boon looked up at me from his bent-over position, smile brighter than the moon shining overhead. “I always liked you, Tully. Seriously. Welcome to the family. Again.”

I grinned down at him. He was annoying—and more handsome than was good for him—but he was all right. Georgiacame out of the house with the donkey in tow. She saw Boon across the lawn and her face lit up. Colson put his hand on my back and moved us away so Boon could go be the fun uncle and spoil the hell out of Georgia.

We mingled long into the night, enjoying time with our friends and family. When we finally couldn’t keep our eyes open, Colson tossed me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and headed for his truck. Thank goodness I had a long white dress on. The remaining die-hard guests whistled and hollered.

“Time to take my wife home,” Colson muttered, placing me carefully in the truck and fastening my seat belt. He kissed me, lingering with that look in his eye that told me we wouldn’t be getting any sleep for a little while longer.

I kissed him right back, all too happy we wouldn’t be sleeping. He held my hand the whole way back to the carriage house. We’d outgrown the space, but didn’t want to move anywhere else until our house was built. This way, I could check on Mama and spend time with her easily. Colson still mowed her yard and kept up with the house maintenance for her.

When we got to the house, I jumped out of the truck the second he got it in park. He hollered at me, but I ran, dress held high in my hands so I wouldn’t trip.

“What are you doing?”

I heard him coming up behind me as I knelt down and carefully opened the front door. Tiny paws scraped at the floor right before a fur ball flew into my arms. I stood back up and turned around, the fur ball tucked tightly to my chest. Colson’s jaw dropped, his eyes going wide.

“She’s your wedding present.”

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