Page 97 of Fallen Flame

“So yeah... It’s okay to have doubts sometimes. I think everybody has them. But don’t let those doubts convince you that you don’t belong. Because from where I’m sitting...” I looked around my little bedroom before looking back at him. “...a blind person could see how much your family loves you.”

His throat worked. “They do.”

“They really do.”

“And Nikki? Your mom,” I laughed softly. “That woman practically glows every time she looks at you.”

He smiled.

“I noticed that today. I noticed it yesterday. And the day before. She doesn’t look at you because she has to. She looks at you because she’s proud of the man you became.”

He was quiet for a long time. Finally, he nodded once. “I needed to hear that.”

“I know.”

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do.”

I settled back against him. “So...” I said after a minute. “I’ve got another question.”

He laughed. “I’m shocked.”

“I know.”

“I ask a lot of questions.”

“You do.”

“They’re good questions.”

“They usually are.”

I grinned. “Drew and Demi.”

“What about them?”

“I don’t know anything about them.”

“They’re Mason’s nieces.”

“I got that part.”

He smiled. “Mason’s always been close with them. They were around a lot growing up. He helped raise them. Especially after things got rough.”

“So they’re basically clubhouse family?”

“Pretty much.”

“I guess that explains why everyone acted like they’d just come home.”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

I thought about the sisters for a second. “They’re pretty.”

Oliver looked at me. “Sure.”