Of course, if Maddox popped the question, I’d say yes. He was it for me, but I wasn’t in any rush. And who was to say a ring on my finger and a piece of paper were necessary for a lifetime of happiness? Benji and Liv Masonweren’t formally married but were completely devoted to each other and their two boys. Love didn’t always have to fit into defined boxes set by society.
There was a knock at the door, and all seven of our heads swiveled toward it. Almost as if our conversation had conjured his presence, Maddox’s head peeked around the cracked open door.
It had been nearly a whole year since we’d met, but I still got butterflies every time I saw him. I hoped that feeling never went away.
“Hey.” His eyes locked on mine, the fire in them heating my blood.
“No boys allowed!” Hannah called out. She paused, considering her statement. “You know what? On second thought, I need a little pre-wedding snack.” She slid from her perch on the bed in the center of the room. Halfway to the door, she smirked, addressing Amy. “You might as well come with me, Ames. I’m sure Liam is thirsty.” Hannah directed a pointed look at the redhead’s chest.
Amy’s face turned pink as the rest of the women laughed. I was not in on that joke and wasn’t sure I wanted to be.
Hannah slipped out around Maddox, standing confused in the doorway.
He cleared his throat. “Um, the groom sent me with a gift for his bride.” Maddox held up a silver-wrapped package. It looked suspiciously like a book.
Natalie went into mom mode, ushering everyone toward the door. “All right. Everyone out. Let’s give Dakota a minute.”
I was the last one to leave, turning back toward my best friend. “I’ll be right outside.”
Dakota took the package from Maddox, thanking him as we closed the door behind us.
Maddox pressed me against the wall, his voice rough beside my ear. “You look stunning.”
I gently pushed my hands against his chest, and he gave me enough space to smooth my hands over the lapels of his tuxedo. “You clean up pretty nicely yourself, Coach.”
A growl rumbled from his chest. “Don’t tease me, love. It’s bad enough I have to warn Slate that while my girl is on his arm, I’ll have his wife on mine.”
“Hmm, guess it’s a good thing that crush was only one-sided.” I couldn’t help taunting him; I enjoyed watching him get worked up too much.
Green eyes widened. “What crush? Are you telling me you had a crush on Jaxon?”
I shrugged, my lips tugging up at the corners. “Maybe.”
Maddox’s hips surged forward, his erection hard against my belly. It was his subtle way of reminding me who I belonged to. And he wouldn’t hear an argument from me.
“Don’t worry, baby.” I reached up to play with the dark hair at the nape of his neck. “Jaxon’s less of a heartthrob these days and more like a dad to me.”
His brows drew down. “Explain to me how that works? He’s two yearsyoungerthan me.”
A giggle worked its way up my throat. “Oh yeah. Jealous, Maddox? Because I recall offering to call you daddy once.” Another round of giggles followed the memory of that playing in my head.
“Is this the part where you confess you’ve been drinking?”
“Hannah made mimosas,” I declared.
“Of course she did,” he muttered.
“Said something about making them extra special since no one was pregnant at the moment.” Amy had given birth to her and Liam’s little girl, Eleanora—Nora for short—a few months ago.
Maddox’s hand slid down to cup my elbow. “You going to make it down the aisle in one piece?”
I nodded with determination. “It’s my girl’s big day. I’ve got this.”
“You got more lipstick stashed somewhere?”
Tilting my head in confusion, I replied, “Yeah, why?”
“Good. Then I won’t feel guilty about stealing some.” He pinned me to the wall with his hard body, his lips slanting over mine, teasing and tasting until I was breathless. When he lifted his head, there was a sheen of pink along his chin and lips.
