Page 99 of Crazy Love

Our breaths are shaky as we stare at each other.

“I don’t want to ever let you go,” he says.

“Please don’t,” I whisper.

“Do you mean it?” His eyes search mine and I nod.

“With all my heart.”

“I love you,” he whispers. “God, I can’t believe that I found you and that I love you so goddamn much.”

I grin. “You weren’t expecting me?”

He shakes his head. “I never saw you coming.” He leans in and gives me a long, scorching kiss. When we pull apart, he looks dazed. “I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.”

Eventually, we gather our clothes and put them back on before quietly going upstairs. We check on the kids and when we peek in Sam’s room, Penn clamps his hand over his mouth to shush the yelp that came out of him when he sees Jezebel lying on Sam’s bed, staring up at us in the dark.

“Fuck,that cat is going to make me old before my time.” He backs out of the room quickly, and I try not to wake the kids up with how hard I’m laughing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

FLOUNDERING

PENN

It might be strange to some that before I met Sam, I never gave any thought to being a dad. It felt too out of reach, just not my thing. I was good at football and charming women, and that’s about all I cared to pursue.

Meeting Sam changed everything. And then meeting Addy in the Bahamas sent me on another tailspin. I hardly recognize myself these days.

We’re in David’s office at Shaw & Shaw, waiting for him and Sutton to walk in. Sutton’s married to David’s daughter, Felicity, and it’s evident the two men have a lot of respect for each other. Felicity lived with Weston briefly and I was around to see some of Felicity’s relationship with Sutton develop. It’s another example of how far we’veallcome.

Addy’s hand rests on my thigh, and I stop bouncing my leg. She’s calm and steady. The opposite of how I feel. She’s in a fitted navy dress and high heels. She looks smoking hot. But her outfit also screams responsible adult in capital letters. Her eyes have that edge of sharpness they get when she’s trying to hide her nerves.

It’s also one of the busiest weeks we’ve ever had, but we’ve both managed to fit this in, despite it all.

“You okay?” I ask under my breath.

She smiles faintly. “Doing all right. How about you?”

Absolutely not.

Before I can answer, the door opens and in walks David Shaw. Since getting close to Weston, I’ve loved getting to know his family too, and David is such a smart, kind man. He’s not a big talker, but when he speaks, you listen. Sutton walks in with him and there are hugs all around. I’m man enough to say that Sutton Landmark is a smokeshow, and I’ve heard the girls talk about him enough to know they are in full agreement.

“I’m really grateful you came all this way,” I tell him.

“For you, anything. And hey, your playing this season…insane. You guys areback,and my brothers and I have specifically talked about how your game has gone next level. Love must suit you.” He grins at Addy.

“Thanks, man. I really appreciate that. And I think you’re right.” I glance at Addy and smile when I see her pink cheeks.

“Penn, Adeline, it’s good to see you both.” David’s voice is warm as he closes the door behind him. He drops a leatherfolder onto the table and then settles into the seat across from us. “We’ve had the word out for almost two months now, looking for any biological family members for Winnie who might step forward. So far, no one has. No challenges, no disputes.”

My chest aches. I squeeze Addy’s hand.

“And Sam?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“No surprises there either,” David says. “We’ve known for a long time that no one from Sam’s biological family would challenge the adoption. It’s been more a matter of Penn, and now the two of you, being approved.” He grins at us. “And we’re getting closer to it every day.” He glances at Sutton.

“It’s all looking good,” Sutton agrees. “The paperwork is straightforward from here. If there are no objections, you could have a final ruling within a few months. Since it’s all going through the Denver courts, it could be a little longer, but I’ve been putting in a good word for you guys.” He grins.

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