Indefinite (Salvation #6)(56)

“What does that mean?”

She shrugs, takes my arms, and wraps them around her. “It means that I’m willing to consider going where you are if it means we can start our life together.”

My lips brush the side of her head, and I place a kiss on her temple. “Fiery on the outside, sweet in the center.”

She laughs and rests her head back, sinking into my embrace. “I’ll show you fire.”

“Don’t make promises, fragolina.”

God knows all that does is turn me on.

“Take me back to your apartment and let’s see if we can burn it down.”

I don’t need her to say shit like that and not be willing to follow through. I scoop her up and start making my way off the beach.

“Quinn!”

“You said it, I’m just getting us there faster.”

Her laughter fills the air as I move quicker, welcoming the burn.





28


Ashton





“Well,” Catherine bumps my hip as I stand here holding my niece, “you and Quinn are really happy?”

“We are. We’re still working on the logistics, but the last month has been great.”

I look at Erin Cole as I hold her in my arms and imagine what my child will be like. Will she or he be as tiny as this little one? Will they make the cute little faces she does? Will my child nuzzle in my arms or will I get a screamer?

“Good. I’m happy for you.”

I smile at my best friend. “And I’m happy for you. She’s perfect.”

“She needs a friend.”

“I’m hoping I have a girl and they can grow up and be best friends like we are.”

Catherine nods. “Me too!”

We both start to laugh, and then Jackson enters the room. His eyes are troubled, but he smiles anyway. “There are my girls.”

“Oh, Muffin, I love you too,” I joke back.

“I forgot it was a package deal when I married her.”

Catherine snorts. “I don’t know how you could forget.”

“I’ll do better to remember.”

“You do that, Jackson,” I tell him with a stern nod.

“The minister is ready to perform the baptism. My mother is driving everyone crazy with baby pictures of Reagan and me, and your mother is three sheets to the wind. It might be a good time to go out there.”

I rock Erin in my arms, bouncing her gently. “Auntie Ashton is going to officially be your Godmother, which means I get to spoil you rotten.”

“Like you wouldn’t anyway?” Cat challenges.

“And like you won’t with my baby?”

“Yes, but remember that payback is a bitch, so whatever you do to me, it’s going to come back to you.”

I will do well to keep that little piece of information to myself. The three of us exit the room and head to where Mark is standing with his wife, Charlie.

“Ahh, Big Red, I always knew we’d find a way to have a kid together.”

He’s so stupid. “Yes, it was destiny.”

Mark approaches, kissing my cheek before touching the baby’s head. “She’s really perfect. She’s one hundred percent Catherine.”

“For real. If she was Jackson, I’d be worried.”

“Seriously,” Mark agrees.

Jackson’s smile is all teeth. “I regret this.”

“Well, too late for it now, Muff. Let’s get this show on the road so we can eat the food that Mrs. C. has been raving about.”

My mother is Catherine’s second mom. Cat claimed her when we were little because my mom is the best. She bakes cookies, makes dinner, and always has a stocked pantry.

Looking back, it was a smart plan on my mom’s part.

Since Cat’s mother has had a rough few years, Mama Caputo helped with the event today—more like ran away with this entire thing. She probably did it because it has to do with church, and anything she can do to save my mortal soul is something she’s up for.

Also, Catherine wanted the party afterward to be at the Italian place that’s always booked, and guess who got it done? Mommy.

“You know, if you upset the Jersey people, they will make sure you don’t eat,” I tell Mark with a lift of my shoulder.

“Your mother loves me.”

I grin. “My mother loves everyone until she doesn’t.”

Mark bursts out laughing. “I’m a mother magnet.”

“And an idiot.”

“Says the woman who is pregnant with Quinn’s baby.”

“Says the man who hired my baby daddy.” I raise a brow, waiting for his next one.

He moves closer, his eyes are full of mischief. “I’ve missed you, Red.”

I shake my head. “I’ve missed you too.”

And I have. Mark is one of those guys who makes all things better. His entire demeanor is hard to resist.

“You two done?” Jackson asks.

“We are.”

“Can we get my daughter to the front of the church now?”

“Ehh, sure.” I laugh, but refuse to hand the little girl over to her father as the four of us head up the aisle.

When we get to the front, I hold this precious little baby in my arms, grateful that I am a part of this while my own child is safely cocooned inside. I’m a little over three months along, and so far, she’s already been to a wedding and now a christening. Though, I’d rather not make this a hat trick, so we can skip the funeral.