Page 81 of Beating Heart
“Those are my favorite,” Peyton said, bumping me with her shoulder and waggling her brows at me.
“So, why not go for it? Have some fun. He’s a good man. You clearly really enjoy being around one another,” Saylor said.
I nodded. “Let’s just say that he’s usually the one to stop things. And I’ve been sort of waiting for him to make the next move, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Maybe he doesn’t want to go there.”
Ruby rolled her eyes before tossing a tot into her mouth. “Please. That man looks at you like he’s ready to strip you naked in front of all of us. We’ve all noticed. Knowing Nash, he’s trying to be respectful. Why not take your own advice and ask for what you want?”
“Yes. I think you should definitely do that.” Demi rubbed her hands together.
“Yeah. It’s not a bad idea.” I took a bite of my chicken finger and thought it over.
“I think you should go for it.” Saylor took a sip of her wine.
“Just tell the man that you want him, and then get on your knees and crawl to him and beg for it,” Peyton said, and we all turned and gaped at her. “What? That would be so hot.”
“Maybe for some. I think I’d prefer to tell River to get on his knees and crawl to me and beg for it. In fact, I think I’ll give that a shot tonight.” A wicked grin spread across Ruby’s face.
“Oh, I guess that’s what happens when you’ve got two alphas under one roof. So what do you think, Emerson? Are you going to crawl to him and beg for it, or make him crawl to you?” Peyton raised a brow.
I reached for an onion ring and took a bite as I thought it over. “I think I’m going to just tell him how I feel and see what happens.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” Demi said, and she smirked. “Not that I have anything against anyone getting down on their knees.”
“King would love if I demanded that he get on his knees,” Saylor said over a fit of laughter, and we all joined in.
We paused and ordered another round of drinks, and Demi just asked for a refill of her water.
“What is going on with you?” Peyton asked. “It’s a girls’ night.”
“Well, there’s something I wanted to tell you, and I was waiting for us to all be together.”
Peyton fell forward, resting her head in her hands. “Oh, my gosh. This is it, isn’t it?”
Demi smiled, and her eyes watered. “It is. I’m preggers. My sexy boxer husband put a baby in me.”
High-pitched squeals left everyone’s mouths, and we each took turns hugging her.
And in that moment, it hit me.
Life was full of ups and downs.
I’d been down for a while, but it felt like things were turning around.
And I was ready to ask for what I wanted.
I may not know what the future holds, but I know what I want in this moment.
And he happened to live right next door to me.
twenty-one
. . .
Nash
I rubbed my hands together, suddenly feeling like a pathetic bastard. I was sitting out back on my Adirondack chair, my gaze moving between the water and my neighbor’s house, waiting for a light to turn on or for her to come walking out back. I’d never been like this.
Not when I had my first high school girlfriend.
