Page 92 of Peaches & Pistols

“Okay. I love you.” I still get flustered every time she says she loves me. I’m not convinced I deserve a young woman like Mia, her love or devotion. But I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I’m in seventh heaven, living my dream life I didn’t think I’d ever have. I can’t get enough, and I don’t just mean how we’re fucking like rabbits. I feel twenty-five again. I can’t get enough of her smiles and laughter. Turns out, I’m a whore for her attention.

“I love you.” I give her a wink that leaves her blushing and lock the door behind me.

I start making calls as soon as I’m in my truck.

“Greyson, my man! What’s up?” James crackles down the line. I swear he’ll be a kid-at-heart until he’s hunched over a walker, brittle and grey.

“Need help with something.”

“Take Liv out on a date? Sure, I can help with that.” I swear to god, if I could punch him through the phone…

“No, you dumb-fuck. Stay away from my sister.”

“Yea, yea. I know. What do you need? Answer’s already yes, you know that.” That right there’s why James has been my best friend since we were knee-high to a pigsty.

“My girl’s turning twenty-six this month, and our baby girl’s turning seven.”

Mia’s never had a birthday party—lazy fuckin’ parents and a spineless coward for a husband. She does her best to make things special for Everly, but it eats at her that she hasn’t been able to celebrate her daughter the way she’s always wanted to.

“Hell yes,” James barks.

“You don’t even know what I’m asking for.”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re going to make you look like the world’s best boyfriend of a still-married woman.”

“Not for long, prick. You know that,” I snap.

His chuckle irritates me all while tugging a smile from my scowl.

“I’m out of town this afternoon, but I’m sending Mia and the kids Cecelia’s way for dinner. Think you can rally the troops?”

“Pen and paper reporting for duty.” Such a jokester.

“Alright. Reserve the event barn with Reid and Connor. Get Cecelia on food. Put Izzy and Delilah on diversion-duty. You and Liv can occupy the kids. I’ll get with everyone with details of what I’m looking for. It’s got to be perfect,” I explain.

“You got it. Spend time with your hot sister babysitting, and some other shit. Done.”

“James, I’ll fuckin—” He hangs up the call.

I don’t have time or brain space for his flirtatious obsession with my sister. A few forced deep breaths and I’m ready to make my next call.

My heart pounds, waiting for an answer at the other end.

“Lockheed’s Jewelers, how can I help you?”

31

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday my Everly. Happy birthday to you,” I sing to my once only, and now youngest daughter.

Her sleepy little eyes pop open, the deepest, most beautiful blue. Her curly hair’s an absolute rat’s nest, but she couldn’t care less.

“IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!” Everly screams at the top of her tiny-but-mighty lungs.

“Yes, baby.” I chuckle.

“I’M SEVEN YEARS OLD!” she shouts again, now bouncing atop the princess-perfect bed Greyson gave her, after he moved me into his room.