Page 165 of Outspoken

Next, Miguel and Brody do a bro-hug, grinning and smacking their hands on each other’s shoulders.

“Never thought I’d see it,” Miguel says. “Hope the baby gets Paige’s looks instead of yours.”

Brody smirks. “Funny.”

“Yeah, I know I am.”

I interrupt because I can tell Miguel wants to stay and chat, but I know we need to give Paige and Brody some time alone. They have a lot to talk about.

I grab Miguel’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go back to Jackie’s for now.”

Miguel looks disappointed but follows me to the door.

I turn to see Paige with her arms open.

I smile, sticking my tongue out at Brody because I get a hug and he doesn’t. He glares at me.

Paige and I embrace quickly.

“Don’t hold back,” I tell her. “You have to talk about absolutely everything. It’s going to be okay.”

She nods, touching Brody’s arm as Miguel and I leave.

Miguel is still on cloud nine as he steps off the porch. “What a great day,” he says. “I’m going to be a tío to the world’s cutest baby, and I finally got to see mi corazón after too many days apart.”

I sigh, stepping from the bottom step onto the dirt. “It was a week, Miguel. One week.”

“Felt like forever.” He gives me a cheesy grin and I roll my eyes.

Then I stop, my mood dropping as I touch his arm. “Wait, um, I need to talk to you about something.”

Moving closer, he wipes a few dried tears from my cheeks and nods. His touch and reassuring brown eyes give me butterflies. I don’t think that’ll ever stop, even after the honeymoon phase has passed.

Dammit, I love this man.

“How was that for you?” I ask, pointing at Brody’s home. “Learning that they’ll be parents? That Brody will be a dad.”

“Wonderful. I’m excited for them.”

“No, I mean…” I try to step back, but he pulls me closer, gazing at me like I’m the only thing in the world. I blush, even as guilt eats me. “Did you feel sad that it’s not you? It’s not too late to back out. I won’t hold it against you if you decide to find a better woman who will give you—”

He kisses me. I tense at first and then relax into it as his tongue strokes mine and his hands cradle my face in warmth and security.

“I don’t want you to say that ever again,” he says, his gaze steady. “Or worry about it. I need you. And soon we’ll be an official family with Angel. It’s perfect, so never doubt what we have again, comprenda?”

I drop my gaze. Part of me still struggles to believe I’m this important to him. I still have moments of low self-worth.Why me?Miguel has his pick of women, many who would happily give him kids, so why—

He tips my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Got it? I need you to repeat after me.”

I smile. “I’m not repeating anything, dork.”

“My name is Amber and I’m fucking sexy.”

I laugh. “Well, duh. I know that.”

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