Page 47 of The Way We Collide

“Then he ran out and came back wearing a snorkel mask…” I hiccup, starting to laugh, too. “Haddy almost had a fit. She screamed so loud.”

“He probably scared her to death!”

“Oh, my gosh, he totally did.” I lean back, placing my hand on my stomach. “It took dinner and a bath to calm her down… And shestillsaidDadafirst. Didn’t you?” I bend to the side, kissing the side of her chubby cheek. “Didn’t you?”

My baby only pats the couch cushion and coos. She’s so close to saying more words.

“Ahh, that’s so funny. I can only imagine a big hunky footballer in a snorkel mask.” Another soft giggle, and we fall quiet for a beat. “I miss you two. I’ve almost finished the backup Axel. I’ll drop it in the mail with a care package next week.”

“Okay!” That makes me smile. “I’ll send you pictures from the wedding. The old-lady secretary took a few on a camera that looked like it was from the Stone Age.”

“I hate that I missed it.” Her eyes narrow. “How was the honeymoon? Is he still as good as the first time?”

She waggles her eyebrows, and my ears heat. I wish I hadn’t told her how good he was in bed when I got home after Dylan’s wedding. To be fair, I was still reeling—and still feeling every place he’d touched, bitten, kissed, or spanked me. I’d never had so many orgasms.

Shaking my head, I clear my throat. “We’re not doing that.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re not sleeping together.”

“What!” Her shriek is so loud, it makes Haddy fuss.

“It’s okay, baby!” I lean forward, rubbing my nose against hers. “Don’t mind Aunt Mimi. Way to scare the baby, Mim.”

“Why the hell not? You’re married now!”

“It’s not a real marriage. We’re only doing this…” Lowering my voice, I study the room behind her. “Where are you?”

“I’m taking a walk. It’s safe.”

Still, lowering my voice, I talk through tight lips. “You know why we’re doing this.”

“What does that matter? You can still have fun.”

“No, we can’t.”

“Ohh…” She’s instantly compassionate. “Does he not want to?”

My eyes drift to the ceiling, and I tilt my head to the side. “Um… I think he’d probably be up for anything.”

“Thendo itttt!” She cries again. “Have you seen how hotyour husband is? I googled him when you got home, and let me tell you… I got a little hot around the collar.”

“Don’t be lusting after your brother-in-law—that’s justew!”

“I’m stating the facts, ma’am. The man is a work of art.”

Twisting my lips, I nod in resignation. “He is pretty to look at.”

“So go crazy, nail his ass! You’ve got three months to bone til the cows come home.”

Haddy laughs, bending her knees and bouncing, and I shake my head, thinking we need two swear jars. One here and one in Atlanta.

“I’m not sleeping with him.” She starts to protest, but I press on. “If we start doing that, I’ll get attached, and it’ll only make it harder to say goodbye when it’s time to go.”

It already pinches my stomach to think of that day, and we’re barely getting started.

Her shoulders lift, and she shakes her head. “Who says you have to go?”

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