Page 143 of Every Chance After

I curl closer, kissing his chest and shoulder. “Grady, I’ve never felt so loved. That’s enough, right? For tonight?”

He scoff-smiles. “It’s enough tonight or any night. This is all I want. You and me, together.”

I nod, grateful and in a perpetual blush over everything that’s happened. “Should we go inside? Go to bed?”

He shakes his head. “Hell, no. You and me, under the stars.”

“Won’t we get cold?”

“Darling, I’ll keep you warm. I promise.”

I believe him. And I get my wish—naked Marnie in a Tripp Grady Tripp nest.

CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE

Marnie

Monday morning at the G&G,I’m met with a bewildering surprise. It’s not even eight when I pull up, ready to organize my thoughts for our 10 o’clock all-hands meeting. But despite the early hour, I find not one but all three of my misfits—Wade, Christie, and Roy—already at work and dressed up.

“You fellas look… nice. What’s all this?” I ask, approaching the counter and eyeing their new looks.

Christie’s long gray hair is swept up into a high man-bun, neat and tidy. He’s freshly shaven, wearing lip gloss, and donning his mother’s emerald earrings, which I already know, he only brings out on special occasions. He’s in a silky Bermuda shirt, jeans, and Birkenstocks rather than his usual clogs.

Wade’s improvements are more subtle. His trimmed beard matches his tucked-in plaid button-down and combed-back hair.

Roy has undergone a total makeover. His jeans, dirty t-shirts, and falling-apart sneakers have been replaced with what I call 80s biker couture. His black leather pants, which look entirely uncomfortable, match his jacket, and both are adorned with silver chains and doodads. He wears motorcycle boots, a band t-shirt, tucked in, and has buzzed off the remains of his hair. He’s almost completely bald. He gnaws on a toothpick in his mouth, and I fear he might choke on it.

“What’s wrong, Marnie? It’s not okay for us to make an effort?” Roy huffs.

“It’s wonderful to see you make an effort,” I chime in, “but I only wonder, why? Not for our meeting, surely.”

They glance at each other uncertainly.

“Well, my clean-up is just a coincidence. But they heard your mom’s in town, didn’t they?” Wade says, looking sheepish.

“What?” I demand, aghast. “You aim to try flirty business with my mom?”

“We only want to look nice, in case she comes by. That’s all,” Christie says.

“I’mtrying flirty business,” Roy corrects. “Grady won’t mind me getting your mom a nightie. She doesn’t work here, so it’s not inappropriate. See? I remember the rules.” He taps his forehead proudly.

“It’s still inappropriate.” I groan. “Et tu, Christie?”

“Ialwaysmake an effort, Marnie,” he reminds me. “She’s yourmom.You’re getting a second chance with her. I wanted to look nice, so she feels comfortable with us.”

“She ain’t gonna feel comfortable with our freaking Hells Angel over here,” Wade quips, turning to Roy. “You damn numpty.”

“I thought a redheaded hair stylist might like flair,” Roy defends. “It gives me an edge.”

“The only edge you’ll see is the one she pushes you over,” Wade chuckles. “Marnie, I apologize on their behalf. It was a dumb idea. Not our first. Won’t be our last.”

I huff out a sigh, holding back my laughter. I take a quick picture of them and text it to Grady with the caption:The fellas found out Mom is in town.

He texts back a minute later.Fuckheads. I’ll swing by at lunch. I don’t want to miss that shitshow.

A warm smile emerges. I hoped he might join us to tour Wade’s available trailers. I have time at my little cottage, but Mom and Tilly need something sooner.

Now, I stare down my three friends, still shaking my head over their brazen efforts. “Well, gentlemen, maybe it’s your lucky day. Mom’s dropping by at lunch. She wants to see what’s available to rent.” I hold a finger up and put on my best stern face. “But the last time a guy flirted with her in a way she didn’t like, he ended up with a broken penis.”

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