Page 70 of Best Laid Plans

“She stepped outside to make a phone call.” He walks over to me and pulls me into him, nestling my head in the crook of his chin. “You okay?”

I sigh. “Yeah. I am.” His earlier declaration whispers to me. “You really meant it when you said you loved me?”

“With every fiber of my being.”

I pull back and look up at him. “You’re not worried about…complications?”

“Natalie, I. Love. You. I love our daughter. I want us to be so tangled up together that I don’t know where you end and I begin. I want all of the complications. I want you. I want this. For now, and forever.”

I push up on to my tip-toes and kiss him, not caring one bit that my brother is still in the room. Or at least I don’t care until he groans and mutters, “I’m glad y’all are happy, but I don’t need to see this shit.”

I pull away and smirk at him before leaning in and kissing Alden one last time. “I guess I’m going to get all of the side dishes reheated.”

“Sounds good. I’ll get the grill going again.”

Alden heads out back and Nate follows—men and their grilling.

40

Alden

We’ve just finishedour late lunch turned early dinner when Tatum wiggles down from her chair and crawls up in Melanie’s lap. “Nana,” Tatum whines. “I come sleep at your house? I miss you. And Popsie too.”

“Oh, sweet girl, I would love that. But, it’s ultimately up to your mama…and Daddy.” My heart clenches in the best way when he tacks me onto the end of her sentence.

Tatum swivels her head around to face Natalie and me. “Pweeeeaaaasssse?” she begs, poking her lower lip out like a sad little puppy. “I’ll be extra good!”

Natalie and I exchange a look. “Sure, Tater Tot. I think that would be great.”

In my head, I’m thinkingYes! Maybe I’ll get a sleepover too?

Tatum bounces around, shimmying her shoulders in her version of a happy dance.

“Oh, but wait!” Melanie exclaims, halting my girl’s dance. “I promised to set up the church breakfast tomorrow.”

Thankfully, Nate’s got my back. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll swing by and grab her in the morning, and we’ll go to breakfast.”

“And da park?” Tatum asks, turning her pleading eyes on her uncle.

His shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Yeah, kid. And the park.”

“Yes!” Then she decides to push her luck—either that or she’s playing toddler Cupid. “Can Miss Jenny come too?”

Jenny’s gaze shoots up to Tatum and then to Nate before she blushes and looks back down. “No can do, little one. I already have plans tomorrow.”

Tatum pouts, but Nate quickly cheers her up. “Don’t be sad. We’ll get hot dogs too, okay?”

“I guess,” Tatum grumbles, not completely satisfied. “Maybe cupkates too?” The kid drives a hard bargain.

“Sure, cupcakes too.” Nate catches my eye and winks. Thank God for the funcle!

Natalie speaks up. “I have a change of clothes in her bag, I’ll send it with you.”

Everyone takes that as a hint to leave, and no lie, I’m totally okay with that. I’m more than ready to spend a little one-on-one time with Nat—preferably naked.

* * *

After everyone leaves, and the kitchen is clean, Natalie and I collapse onto the couch together in heap of tangled limbs. “Are we gonna talk about…everything?” she asks, rubbing her nose against mine.

---