Page 136 of Perfectly Grumpy

Leo shrugs. “You’re still all of that. But having a girlfriend means the rest of us don’t have to pretend to care about your facts anymore.”

“Speaking of facts,” Tate says. “Did you know newborns can?—”

“Stop,” Leo cuts him off. “Don’t make me regret admitting I like you.”

“Suit yourself, Ego,” Tate says, handing the baby back to Jaz. “But just for the record, I won’t miss living with you when you get married.”

“Oh, you’ll cry when I’m gone,” Leo says.

“Only tears of joy,” Tate deadpans.

Lucian raises a hand. “I would like to announce thatsomeonebetter miss me. Because I’m suddenly feeling left out. All of you are paired off, and I’m heading to a town with, like, fifty people and a pumpkin festival.”

Brax claps him on the back. “You’ll meet someone. My gut says Maple Falls has a surprise for you. And my gut is never wrong. Right, Jaz?” He turns to his wife.

Jaz nods serenely, then looks at me and mouths,He’s been wrong twice this week.

“If you come out, I’ll give you the full tour,” Lucian says. “All four blocks of it.”

Leo smirks, then looks at the other players in the room. “There’s just one thing left to do. Right, guys?”

Lucian freezes. “Oh, no. Guys,nooooo?—”

Brax spreads his arms. “Crushers’ hug!”

“What’s a Crushers’ hug?” I whisper to Sloan.

She grins. “Something between a frat party and a football tackle.”

The guys swarm Lucian in a giant bear hug that includes yelling, grunting, at least one “OW,” and a loud“I CAN’T BREATHE!”

Right then, a nurse bursts in like we’re disturbing the peace and announces, “Okay, hockey players—out. Mama and baby need rest.”

We scatter to the hall, laughing as we head to the exit of the hospital, saying our goodbyes for the night.

As the rest of the couples go their separate ways, Tate and I linger in the parking lot, not quite ready to say goodbye to this perfect day. His hand holds mine, our steps unhurried as we walk beneath the golden glow of the lights.

“You know, I’m glad you’re staying,” I say. “I like those guys. Honestly, I might invite them to the next family reunion.”

“Am I invited?” he asks, a slow smile curving his lips.

“With your random facts and reading Thorne’s words?Absolutely. But I expect book two by then.”

He laughs, then stops, turning to face me completely. “You really liked it that much?”

“More than liked it. I loved every part of it.”

He pulls me a little closer, his dimples making me feel weak. “You know, Sunny, I could arrange for a few new scenes. Ones with…more kissing.”

“I would thoroughly approve,” I say, leaning into him, the warmth of his arms wrapping around me like everything I never knew I needed.

His lips brush the shell of my ear. “Would you?”

“Five-star rating,” I murmur, closing my eyes as he kisses my cheek, then my jaw, and finally the curve of my neck. “I used to think love stories were just pretty lies we told ourselves. Then you taught me the best ones aren’t fiction—they’re the ones brave enough to be real.”

His smile is certain. “Well then, let’s write the best one yet.”

FORTY-SIX

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