Page 103 of Tempting Me

“So,” I repeat.

His laugh intensifies.

“No, you don’t get to be the I-told-you-so guy right now,” I whisper snap at him. “Fifteen months ago, you wouldn’t have even been at breakfast. So if anyone gets to be that guy, it’s me.”

He laughs harder.

“Stop.”

“I can’t help it.”

“You’re a grown man. You can totally help it.”

His laughter quiets, but the smile remains. “I just … I like this side of you, and I’m glad you finally caved.”

“Right, yes, because you’re Mr. Know-It-All about romance now.”

Between Shay spending time with Sadie and me showing up every day at lunch at Hudson’s, it was easy for him to put things together. I actually think most of my family knows, but I haven't exactly announced it. Seeing as how Shay doesn’t want people to know, I appreciate that my brother figured it out and I have someone to talk to about this.

Hudson grabs a beer and volleys his head.

“More than you for … what did you say, fifteen months now?”

I let out a sigh, but then I hear Shay and the girls laughing, and I have no choice but to smile.

That’s my favorite sound.

“I told you,” Hudson says.

I’m opening my mouth to argue a little more, but he holds up his hand.

“I told you that when it hits, it hits hard, didn’t I?”

I glance back out over the view in front of us. The girls are playing tag with Max and Susie.

Max tries to run by Shay, but she reaches out and grabs him, spinning him with his feet off the ground. When she sets him down, both he and Susie grab Shay’s hands, pulling her into the water. Quickly, Sadie and Ruby join in until Shay goes under. She pops up with a smile on her face, pulling Max down into the water with her.

Hudson’s not wrong.

I’m so far gone for this girl, I can’t think of a moment in my life that I don’t want to share with her.

I just wish that she was ready to be in this spot with me.

I don't need us to be at this speed to know she wants to be with me, too, but it would be nice.

“Yeah, you were right.” I say and take a swig of my beer.

Declan plops down onto the sand on the other side of me, so I hand him a beer.

“I haven’t seen Susie this happy since we moved back,” he admits. “I really appreciate your family inviting us to tag along today.”

“Anytime,” Hudson says at the same time I say, “Why is my sister always pissed off at you?”

Declan groans. “When you find out, let me know.”

To that I grin. Ruby may have been gone for a few years, but she’s got that grumpy Asher blood in her veins just as much as the rest of us.

“Has Shay told her family about you two yet?”

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