Page 89 of Forever

“They all know that already.” I wrapped my arms around her. “It’s just a bit of fun.”

“As long as no one gets hurt.”

I placed a slow kiss against her lips. “No one is getting hurt.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

“Besides, Mason and James refused to participate.”

“Smart men.”

I smiled down at her. “Have you asked Justin yet?”

“No, I’ll ask him whenever he calls or shows up next. He has a lot on his plate. I don’t want to add anything else.”

“He’s going to be excited.”

“I know.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me again. “I really want to stay up to see which monkey is the happiest. Whatever that means. But I’m not going to make it.”

I laughed and looked at the clock. It was only 9. “I have an idea.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the family room. I turned on a movie, sat down, and gestured for her to lie down.

She smiled and rested her head on my lap.

I looked down at her stomach. Brooklyn had been worried that I didn’t love this version of her. And she was about to change again.

But she had it all wrong. I loved every version of her more and more. I was pretty sure the pregnant version of her was going to be my new favorite.

I ran my fingers through her hair. And two minutes into the movie she started lightly snoring. I barely paid attention to the movie. I just kept running my fingers through her hair and staring down at her.How did I get so fucking lucky?

A knock on the door made Brooklyn open her eyes. “Did I fall asleep?” she said with a yawn.

“And almost woke up the whole house with your snoring.”

“I did not.” She lightly slapped my thigh and pushed herself up.

The knock sounded on the door again.

“I can’t wait to see this,” Brooklyn said.

I opened the door. Rob was standing there. Without a monkey.

He smiled and walked in. “Would you look at that? I’m first. Early even. I think that makes up for earlier, don’t you think? You should just crown me best man now.”

“Rob, where is your monkey?”

“What monkey?” Rob asked.

“The monkey I gave you to take care of.”

“Oh.” He laughed. “That monkey.” But he didn’t offer any more information.

There was another knock on the door. Tanner and Nigel walked in with their monkeys in tow. And Mason and James showed up right after.

I turned back to Rob. “Where is your monkey?” I asked again.

“What monkey?” Rob asked, like we hadn’t just been over this.

“Where is it?” I said again.