“If there’s anything I can do for you guys, call me.”
“Don’t I always?” I laughed.
“True. I fix everything and you get the credit. Same shit, different day.”
“Thanks, Max. Really.” I looked solemnly at my best friend, wondering what could have happened if he hadn’t read my text. I shook my head to clear it of the thoughts filtering through my mind.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He punched me lightly on the shoulder. “Keep an eye on that back door. I came over here yesterday and the fucker had blown open somehow. It isn’t latching or something. I’ll take a look at it tomorrow afternoon.”
Kari tilted her head as she looked at Max. “It’s done that a few times lately.”
“I’ll fix it, sweetheart. Now let’s get out of here and let Jada get some rest.”
Jada gave Kari a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Congratulations!” Kari squealed. She brought her eyes to mine and whispered in Jada’s ear loud enough for me to hear, “And I’ll get the Vegas party planned. Don’t worry.”
Kari smirked as she extended her arms for a hug. “You have to learn to hug me. We are family now.”
“God help me.”
She swatted me as she pulled back. “He better help you if you mess with my plans!”
“Stop riling him up, Kari,” Max said, shaking his head. He kissed Jada on the top of the head before heading towards his truck. “I’ll talk to you guys in the morning.”
They climbed into the Ford and pulled out of the driveway, leaving me and my girl behind.
“Mrs. Cane Alexander. I like that,” I said, grabbing Jada’s hand. I led her to the front door. “Do you have any ideas on how you want to get married?”
“I want to wait until I don’t look like this.”
“Baby,” I said, twisting her face to look at me. “You’ve never been more beautiful to me.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me. “I love you.”
“I love you.” I reached down and picked her up, her legs across my arms.
“Cane! We aren’t married yet! You don’t have to carry me over the threshold.”
I rubbed my cheek against her head as I carried her inside, kicking the door closed with my foot. “It’s all semantics, beautiful girl.”
She snuggled into me, wrapping her arms around my chest. “I’m so tired. I’ve never been this tired in my life.”
“Well, as much as I want to ravish you again—”
“Can you imagine making love on the top of your mountain every night? It’s so romantic—even today on the cold concrete and my sore body.”
“Our mountain,” I corrected her, making her blush again. “And I can’t wait for that. But tonight, I’m going to lay you down and we are only going to cuddle.”
“I thought you didn’t cuddle?”
“Only with you.”
“I’m glad it’s with me, Cane.”
“What can I say? You are always the exception.”
The End