Page 57 of Kiss Me Forever

“I’ll get it,” Gage said, but I shook him off.

“My house, remember?”

“Okay, here, Bella, help me actually finish these bookshelves or we’re going to be here all night.”

I shook my head, loving the way that Bella leaned into Gage, both of their heads down as they looked over the instructions.

For a man without kids, he was sure good with them. Then again, my brothers were the same. We were all learning this on the fly, and I was grateful for the family we were making.

I opened the door without looking, and my heart left my chest.

“Brooklyn.”

She smiled at me, the sun right on her freckled face.

“I should have called, I’m sorry. But I figured since I was driving by I would come annoy you. And really just check on Bella.”

With Bella’s attention on Gage, I leaned forward, took Brooklyn by the back of her head, and pushed my mouth to hers.

She moaned into my mouth, that moment of surprise simmering between both of us, as I deepened the kiss.

When I pulled back, we were both breathless.

“Oh.”

“I’m glad you’re here.” I said the words, and I meant them. I had no idea what the fuck I was doing, but I could not keep my hands off of her. It was going to be a problem, but I didn’t care in that moment.

“I’m glad I’m here too.”

“Brooklyn!” Bella said as she moved between us and threw her arms around Brooklyn. Brooklyn, the woman that I was falling for, immediately softened and hugged Bella tightly. They were nearly the same height, with Bella being tall for her age, and Brooklyn being so short, and it was another kick to the gut.

This time, not just because of who Brooklyn was, but because I had lost so many years. So many fucking years that I wouldn’t have of Bella’s childhood. But I wasn’t going to lose any more.

“Well, what do we have here?” Gage drawled out. I elbowed him in the gut, but of course the man’s eight pack didn’t move an inch.

“I was just here to check in, and annoy you.” She winked at me as she said it and I ignored the heat in my chest.

“You’re never annoying. Come on, Gage and Reece are trying to build a bookshelf for me, and I don’t think they’re doing it right.”

“Well, as the landscape architect versus the actual person who builds things for a living, I’m here to help.”

“Stay for dinner?” I asked, my gaze only for Brooklyn.

“Of course I will,” Gage answered, and I laughed, but Brooklyn nodded.

“Of course.”

And as I closed the door behind her, and nearly swallowed my tongue, I told myself that I needed to tone it down.

“Does Bella know that you’re in love with the woman that seems to be her best friend?” Gage whispered under his breath.

“I’m not in love with her.”

“You can lie to yourself but don’t lie to me. You know I hate liars.”

I gave Gage a look, but pulled my attention quickly back to the two in the living room.

“I don’t think it’s smart to fall in love with Brooklyn. She’s too fucking young.”