Page 51 of Wildest Forever

“I brought some laundry home,” and I hear Morgan tut beside me. “What?” I laugh softly and she rolls her eyes in an over exaggerated manner.

“I have told him to do his laundry back home, but nope...” she side-eyes me then raises her brows at my mom.

My mom twists her lips and fights the smile.

“He is particular,” she winks at me, “but you're thirty Pacey, you should be doing your own laundry.” She steps in front of meand places her hand on her cheek. “Momma can't keep doing it for you,” she winks then walks out of the room and Riggs falls into the seat our mom has just left, Aspen following and lowering herself onto his lap.

“Have you decided whether you're going to do your book tour or not next year?” I ask and Morgan looks at me before drifting her eyes to Aspen.

“Book tour?” she crinkles her brow.

“Yeah, Aspen writes romance books,” I smile at my wife, eyes soft before I am back on my brother and Aspen.

“Wow, I never knew... where can I buy one? I would love to read it,” Morgan shifts to the edge of her seat as she waits for Aspen to talk.

“You don't have to buy one,” she tilts her head, her lips pressed into a permanent smile. “I'll pop one to your ranch later on today, I have loads at home that I bought for my tour this year but...” she trails off and Riggs wraps his arm around her, pulling her close to him.

“I know, baby,” he rasps as he places a kiss on her cheek, and I hate that I feel some kind of resentment towards them.

The feelings I had for Aspen have well and truly been buried, but in certain moments, an echo of them resurfaces, and I find myself wondering what could have been, but I know we would have never worked.

She was destined to be with Riggs.

They were written in the stars.

I just needed to lick my wounds and get over it.

I deserved to be loved, but I made peace with knowing that it may not come for me.

I am brought back to the room by Lainey climbing up my legs and I smile down at her.Wide blue eyes, curly brown hair. She's babbling away.

“Hey princess Lainey,” I whisper, scooping her up onto my lap as she grabs my bottom lip.

Dixie smiles as she stands a little back from where I am sat, Tripp now standing at the back of the sofa.

“Are we close to walking yet?” my voice is muffled as she tugs on my lip.

“So close,” Tripp beams at his daughter over my shoulder.

“Dada!” she squeals as she lets go of me then slaps her little hands on my face.

“Ow,” I laugh and Lainey stops suddenly as she looks at Morgan, her smile slowly slipping into a frown, but as soon as Morgan leans in and smiles, Lainey goes back to beaming her toothy grin. She crawls onto Morgan's lap, her little hands tucked in front of her as she just stares.

“Hey little lady,” Morgan says quietly and the whole room falls silent.

Lainey coos at her, her smile only widening and my heart slows for just a moment.

“You ready?” I ask after what feels like hours, I could watch her all day, but I have stuff I need to get on with and watching my wife and my niece was not on that list.

Pushing up from the sofa, Morgan looks at Dixie and scoops Lainey under the arms before standing and passing her to her mom.

“Thank you for letting me hold her,” she smiles then says goodbye to Dixie before she waves bye to Riggs and Aspen.

“Bye hun,” Aspen beams, waving back before she ducks her head down and says bye to Tripp as she passes.

Walking into the kitchen, she is close behind me as I see my mom going through my laundry bag.

“Ma,” I say softly as she stands up and looks at me.

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