Page 31 of Approved

“Easton Parker, you let go of my boy….erm-friend. Let him go.” I pulled my arms back and spun around.

West looked at me and glared at the man behind me. “You’ve met my brother, Easton?”

“Hi. Thanks for the kiss, it’s the most action I’ve had in a long time.” His brother said, his palm still on my wrist.

“East, take your hand off him.” West huffed and let go of my wrist.

Taking a good look at his brother, I understood the scar now. They were identical twins, though, and I wasn’t sure why I even noticed such a tiny thing. Most notable were the differences in their eyes. When West looked at me, I saw an affection, kindness, and a twinkle that drew me to him. East had the kindness that must be genetic, but the emotions that seemed reserved for me weren’t there. West came over and pulled me tohim, then kissed me gently. “Good afternoon. I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you two to meet like this.” He narrowed his eyes at his brother.

“You should have stopped him.” He pointed at his brother. “Tyler, this is my brother East. This is Tyler, whom I have told you about.” Possessively, he pulled me against him again and kissed the side of my head, which I didn’t hate.

“I’ve been told I am the better-looking brother.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, but I disagreed with that assessment. “I’ll let you keep believing that, East.” I hoped he was like his brother and would take the joke as it was meant.

“Oh shit!!! He got you East.”

Grinning at me, he whispered in my ear. “That was sexy as hell.” I leaned up and took his lips, which were warm against mine. The heat of his tongue teased my bottom lip, and I eagerly opened for him. The emotion coming from him as our tongues played made me shudder. I could kiss him all day.

“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddyyyyyyyyy.” A little person came barreling around the corner, holding a pink unicorn and wearing a tiara. West and I stepped back, but our bodies were still touching. I liked her sense of style. East leaned over and scooped the little girl up.

“This is Allison. The light of my life.”

“Hello, Allison.”

“Allison, this is Uncle West’s boyfriend. His name is Tyler.” I knew my eyes got wide at that label, and I could see that West looked panicked. I didn’t mind, though; it was something that needed to be discussed, but it felt like that was where we were headed.

“Boyfriend?” This little girl will just drill down on that label, wouldn’t she?

“Well. Yeah, he is a boy.” I reached over to West and touched his hand, shaking my head.

I smiled at the little girl. “Yes, Allison. I hope we get to be great friends, because I’ll be around your uncle all the time. He and I will eat, play, and sleep together, so you and I will be super close friends. What do you think about that?” She smiled and then reached up for me. East looked at me, and I nodded, picking up the little girl to hold her on my hip.

“I think that’s good. Everyone needs someone to play with. Daddy needs a boyfriend.”

I laughed.

“Amen to that,” the brothers both said at the same time. It was a little weird, but I heard about that twin link that thing.

“You think so? Maybe we can find him one together.”

She giggled, which was sweet. “Want to color with me?”

“Can I talk to your Daddy and Uncle for a few minutes, then come color?”

She looked at me, considering the offer. “Do you promise?” This girl was sharp.

“I promise.”

“Okay. I’ll go get us good pictures to color.” I set her down, and her dad handed her some apple slices.

“Get going, Lil’ Bit. He promised, so he will be out in a minute.” He directed her back toward the living room.

“Okay. See you soon, Tyler.” She ran into the other room.

I looked around. “Well, that was a lot before my coffee.”

West made a cup for me. “What do you want in it?”

---