Page 80 of Unexpected Love

“The girlfriend he swore he’d never have!” This one from a deeper voice.

“Boys! You saw his Jeep out front; you know he’s already here.” And that one is clearly Nick.

I laugh at Gage as he rolls his eyes, his grip around me tightening slightly. I lift to my toes and kiss his cheek, the smile never leaving my face. “I can’t wait to meet your brothers. I think I’m going to really love them.”

Gage laughs and swats at my ass as I scamper away, more than ready for the chaos I know is about to happen.

thirty-two

GAGE

“No,but you have to understand, I was ten, and Gage was only home for a few days!” Leo shouts from across the table.

“So you hid his underwear?” Ava laughs next to me.

“In my ten-year-old brain, if he didn’t have his underwear, he couldn’t leave, and I would get to spend more time with him.” Leo’s eyes jump between my dad and Asher before he looks back at Ava. “He spent all his time with Asher.” He points at him like it’s Asher’s fault. “It was Gage’s punishment to live without underwear for not spending time with me.”

“If I remember correctly, didn’t you spend the whole weekend at a friend’s house, even though Dad tried to convince you to hang out with all of us?” I ask, my brow raised.

“That’s beside the point!” Leo slams a hand on the table. This time, everyone—including Leo—laughs.

The warmth I’ve felt in my chest since telling Ava I love her hasn’t dissipated in the slightest. If anything, I feel it more—especially when she glances at me over her shoulder, a twinkle inher eye. I never thought I could feel like this, filled with so much love for someone outside my family, but I do.

With how close her chair is to mine and the fact that my arm is draped over the back of her seat when Ava sits back, she ends up leaning partially against me. Her body melts, and her hand falls to my leg. With just a tilt of my head, I place a kiss to her temple and relax even further into the moment. I’m surrounded by everyone I love most, and seeing the love and joy on everyone’s faces is more than I could have ever dreamed of.

I understand the saying of floating on cloud nine because that’s exactly what I feel.

“How’s working at the bookstore going?” Dad asks after we all settle, lifting his beer bottle to his lips.

“I love it.” Ava smiles, and her body melts even further into my side. “Abbey is such an amazing woman to work with. She’s been so welcoming.”

“She should be running her own bakery or something. That woman knows how to bake,” Mom offers from the other end of the table.

“And how to make some amazing cider,” Asher adds.

“I haven’t had the chance to try her cider yet, but I swear I’ve already gained five pounds from all the sweets I’ve had. And this is only my second week!”

“Well, I hope that won’t stop you from having a slice of pie. You did help make it after all.”

“Oh! What pie did you make?” Leo’s excited gaze bounces between Ava and Mom.

“Apple.”

“Yes!” He pumps his fist in the air, causing everyone to chuckle.

“First, you and Asher need to clean the table. Then we can have pie,” Dad tells him.

Asher doesn’t argue and stands from his seat, picking up the dishes in front of him and Olivia before moving to the kitchen sink. Leo, on the other hand, gapes at Dad.

“I don’t want to hear it. Go help.” Dad isn’t harsh, but his tone doesn’t leave much room for argument.

“Thank you, Leo,” Mom says, squeezing his hand when he reaches for her empty plate. He bends to kiss her cheek and nods slightly before moving to set the dishes on the counter by Asher before coming back for more.

“I’ll help,” Olivia says as she stands from the table, reaching for Dad’s plate.

Dad reaches for her before she can pick up his plate. “No, Liv. You helped cook; you shouldn’t have to help clean up, too.”

She gives him a small smile. “I really don’t mind. Besides, the pie needs to go back in the oven to warm anyway.”

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