Bennett crowds my space, reaching out to wipe my chin, all while holding Rowen like a football in one arm. “You had a little drool right there. Don’t worry, I got it,” he teases.
I playfully swat his hand away before turning my attention to Rowen. “Hey there, little guy. Aren’t you a cutie?”
“Not as cute as me though, right?” Bennett questions with a huff.
“Jealous of a baby, Benny?”
“I mean, you don’t use that sweet voice with me very often. In fact, I don’t think you’ve ever been sweet with me at all.”
“And here I thought you preferred me either snarky or submissive. I didn’t realize you wanted a sweet girl,” I mock-coo at him.
“You’re right,” he rasps as he wraps his free arm around my shoulder and pulls me in. “I much prefer you submissive. How about you let the snark out now and save the submissive side for when I have you on your hands and knees for me later?”
Damn, he’s good.
“Well, I was planning to be sweet by coming over here and thanking you for today.”
“You can thank me later, Red,” he tells me, throwing a wink my way as we head upstairs.
I plan to thank him in kind over and over for today. Little does he know, he gave me so much more than a couple of hours with friends—he gave me peace of mind that the two people who mean most to me in this world were safe and cared for. By someone who I’m realizing has taken up residence in my heart.
18
November
Never in my life did I ever think I’d spend a precious day off hosting a “Friendsgiving.” But I’ve got to admit, Scarlett’s idea to have everyone over at our place today has really grown on me.
Our place—god, I love the sound of that.
I’ve just wrapped a towel around my waist after my shower when a frantic Scarlett comes barreling into our bathroom. Clad in only a silk robe loosely secured around her waist with a towel twisted around her hair, she’s bordering on hysteria as she storms into our closet.
“Why in the hell did we think this would be a good idea?” she asks, her voice laced in panic as I follow her and head to my designated side of the closet.
We?I’m smart enough not to voice my question aloud, but unfortunately I don’t do a good enough job of stifling my chuckle.
Scarlett whirls on me, eyes wide before she quickly narrows them. “Did I say something funny,dear?”
“Yes,darling. This entire hysterical episode you’re having is quite hilarious to me.”
“Whatdid you just say?” she asks in an icy tone that immediately raises my hackles.
Oh, fuck.
I’m in trouble.
“Come on, baby girl. You’ve got to admit that you’re kinda freaking out right now.” It’s adorable and scary at the same time.
“Don’t you ‘baby girl’ me right now, Bennett Benjamin Wilson.”
“My middle name is not Benjamin.”
“Do I look like I give a fuck what your real middle name is right now?”
“No, but it’s probably something we should know about each other before we get married. It’s James. What’s your middle name?”
“God, even your freaking middle name is sexy. Bennett James . . . that’s stupid hot. Mine is Elizabeth.”
My cocky smirk at her comment doesn’t hit the mark with my future bride, in fact, I think it enrages her more, if that’s possible. “So our wedding invites will say Scarlett Elizabeth and Bennett James. It’s cute, I like it.”
