Page 56 of Forbidden Love

Deb stood over Linda, fists still balled at her sides. “You don’t come near my friends. You don’t come near Brock. And you sure as hell don’t come for me unless you want to get flattened again.”

Linda coughed and glared up at her. “You’re crazy.”

“No,” Deb said. “I’m finally sane.”

“Damn,” Emily said from behind her, holding her baby bump and grinning. “That was beautiful.”

“Who do you think you are?” Sadie stepped up, glaring at Deb while Darla tried to help Linda off the ground.

“I suggest you turn your ass around before you end up next to Linda.” Janna stepped up beside Deb, as did Roxy, Roslyn, Emily, and Leda.

“And I’ll be the one putting your ass there,” Leda informed Sadie, who paled but shut up and helped Darla get Linda up.

“You’re going to regret this!” Linda sneered as she was led away.

“There are many things I regret,” Deb called out after her. “And this definitely isn’t one of them.”

Brock appeared at Deb’s side, eyes blazing with pride and heat. “Remind me never to piss you off,” he said, sliding an arm around her waist.

Deb took a deep breath and then looked at the women. “Thank you.”

“What the hell are you thanking us for?” Janna grinned. “That was the best damn thing I’ve seen in ages.”

They smiled at her as they headed toward the back where the kids were waiting. Emily frowned. “I almost missed that.” She frowned then eyed Deb. “Are you done or is there going to be more.”

“Not today,” Deb said, then glanced around to see everyone looking at her before looking up at Brock. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but she makes me so damn mad, and what she said about Tammy, well, yeah.”

Brock pulled her into his arms and smiled. “That was a damn proud moment for me.” He said, kissing her forehead. “And thank you for standing up for Tammy. She hasn’t had much of that in her life. She really likes you.”

“Yeah, well, I like her too, and no one will talk about her like that when I’m around,” Deb said, feeling herself getting angry all over again. “Okay, I need to calm down. Let’s go watch the kids find their eggs.”

“Yeah, in a second,” Brock said as he stared down at her. “I was talking with Dell, and it looks like Clare is bringing back another woman with a child.”

“We were wondering where she and Malcolm were,” Deb said, then frowned. “Is that a problem?”

“No, not really, but I can’t stay there. I have to find a place to live.” Brock replied, then nodded toward Asher, who passed them.

“No, you don’t.” Deb shook her head. “You can move in with me. I mean, unless you don’t want to.”

“Of course I want to,” Brock said but still wore a frown. “But are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Deb replied with a smile. “It will be fun, roomie. Unless you leave the toilet seat up, then there will be problems.”

“After what I saw you do to Linda, I will never leave the toilet seat up,” Brock said, trying to keep a straight face but failing.

“Real funny.” Deb pinched him as they headed toward the back.

As they made their way to where the kids were running around happily collecting eggs, Deb noticed the looks she was getting, and it was different. They were looking at her with respect instead of anger and hate. Some even smiled at her instead of looking away to whisper. It felt good, real good.

“Hey, badass,” Hunter walked up to her with a huge grin. “That was a real good flip, but I can show you a few pointers. It was a little sloppy.”

Deb narrowed her eyes. “Nah, I’m good.” She then tilted her head, looking over her shoulder. “Is that Mabel?”

Hunter paled as he jumped to look, then turned to glare when Mabel was nowhere to be seen. “Not fucking funny.” He snarled as he stomped off.

Deb shrugged. “I thought it was pretty funny.” She said, then laughed when Brock’s head fell back in loud laughter. Yeah, the old Deb was still there just in case she needed her, and she was okay with that.

“Have I told you how much I adore you?” Brock said, pulling Deb close as the sun dipped low and laughter echoed around them.

She blinked up at him, heart skipping. “No,” she whispered, caught off guard by the tenderness in his voice. “You haven’t.”

His fingers brushed her cheek, his gaze steady. “Well, I do.”

Her smile grew as he leaned down and kissed her softly at first, then deeper, slower, until the world around them faded.

When they finally pulled apart, kids were shouting about eggs and candy as music played from someone’s speaker. Deb’s heart felt full.

“I adore you too,” she whispered, pressing her forehead to his.

And right there, in the middle of chaos, candy, and eggs, Deb realized—this man was her forever.