Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Posey chokes on her drink as Boon’s fork stops almost to his mouth. My dad spits out the drink he just took, and my mom gawks at me. “Emery Elaine!”
“What?” I ask, shrugging. “I work from home, I take good care of myself, I don’t work out as much as I should, but I can walk if it’s healthy for the baby. I’m not attached since your brother is marrying someone else, and I don’t plan on becoming attached to anyone but him.”
I have no chill. I am well aware.
Before either Posey or Boon can say anything, Quinn’s gruff voice fills the space. “No fucking way.”
Everyone gasps at that, but slowly, I move my gaze to his. His eyes are so fierce, dark, and set on me. I know I’m poking the bear, but I ask, “Why not?”
“Because I fucking said so.”
“Quinn Phillips! The kids are at the table!” Elli complains, but I don’t even know if he hears her.
Zac sure does. Between Posey and Boon, Zac asks, “Is fucking a bad word?”
Dad and Shea sputter with laughter as Posey tries to parent, but my eyes are glued to Quinn’s and I hear nothing but my heart slamming in my chest. “That’s not a good enough reason for me.”
Before he can come back at me, Ava adds, “It’s her life. She can do what she wants.”
“Text Yvette, and stay out of this,” he snaps at her, and Lordy, he’s so hot right now. I feel his heated gaze all over my body, and chills run down my spine. His eyes are fixed on me, and I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. “You heard me.”
Oh, I did. I heard and felt those words all over my body. “Yes, sir.”
His eye twitches, and I snort. Glancing over to Posey and Boon, I shrug. “Sorry, guys. I’ve been told by my engaged ex that I can’t. Guess I gotta listen.”
“Emery,” he says, low and dangerous, pulling my gaze from his sister.
I smile sweetly, leaning on my hand. “Yes, Quinnifer?”
He glares since I usually only call him that when he’s being annoying. But before he can scold me or say whatever he planned to say, Ava’s phone rings, pulling his attention away from me.
Something I’m not a fan of.
She answers it and then says, “Yes. I’m on my way.”
She sighs before standing up, Quinn doing the same. “I have to go.” She looks up at him and holds out her hand. “Can I have the keys?”
“I can take you.”
Her eyes narrow. “It’s okay. Stay and enjoy dinner. I’ll swing by to get you later.”
“Or I can take him home. Since we live together,” I offer, taking a bite of the asparagus on my fork.
I watch as Quinn’s eyes drift shut, and he exhales a heavy breath. Ava is stone-faced as he gives her the keys. She is trying not to let me affect her, but I know I’m crawling under her skin. She blows out a breath and then pats his chest. “Just text me wherever you end up.”
She doesn’t wait for an answer, and she moves her gaze to Elli and Shea. “Thank you for having me. Until next time.”
“I can box that up for you—” But before Elli can even finish her sentence, Ava is storming out of the house.
When everyone’s gaze falls on me, I ask, “What?”
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Quinn
I’m shaking everywhere as I wait outside the door to the bathroom, where I know Emery just disappeared to. This whole night has been a shitshow of epic proportions. Ava is fucking pissed, and that’s not good for me. She hasn’t texted to ask if she should pick me up. We need to discuss the fact that I haven’t kicked Emery out. I didn’t plan to anyway, but I don’t want Ava using that against me.
We also need to discuss the fact that she’ll never speak to my sister like that again or attempt to dictate what is or is not appropriate in my mother’s house. I don’t know who the hell she thinks she is, but I won’t allow her to be disrespectful to the people I love. I can’t stand by and allow her to command things anymore. She wants to marry me, fine. But I’ve allowed her too much fucking power. I have sat back because I didn’t have anything to lose.
Now, I do.
She’s gaining everything, and I’m losing it all.
But all that isn’t what has my head pounding.
No. It’s the fact that Emery offered to carry a baby for my sister.
I am fully aware that she is kind and would do anything for my family, but over my dead body will she carry anyone’s baby but mine. The pure fury I felt when she offered that to my sister and her husband is something I’ve never experienced in my whole life. I felt this need to jump over the table and fuck her right there. Knock her up so no one else can. I’ve never felt so damn possessive in my life, and while I know that makes me a dick since my sister and Boon really want another kid, I don’t care.