The Reunion(122)

“Breathing,” Palmer says, exasperated, holding on to her back. “I swear to God I can hear everyone’s breath at decibels no one should ever hear.”

“Isn’t she so pleasant?” Mom says, leaning over and pressing a kiss to Palmer’s belly. “You’ve created such a great home that your baby girl doesn’t want to come out.”

“Well, guess what, the eviction notice has been submitted—I’m pushing tonight.”

Dad looks Beau in the eyes. “I fear for you, son.”

Beau winces. “I fear for myself.”

“Palmer complaining about being pregnant again?” Cooper says, coming up to the family circle.

“Wow, you sure know how to make a pregnant lady sprout devil horns,” Nora says, looking so damn pretty in her flowy lace wedding dress and flower crown. “I suggest when we have babies, you don’t say the same things.”

“So, there are babies in your future?” Dad asks, looking all too excited.

“Adopted babies,” Nora says. “Sorry, ladies, but I don’t have it in me to push anything out of my vagina.”

Dad snorts.

Mom claps her hands.

And Palmer and Larkin both nod, understanding her completely.

The photographer rounds us up for pictures, and I can’t help but savor how our family has grown so much in the past few years. We went from barely talking to each other to moving close so we can raise our families together and continue to build on the foundation Mom and Dad have laid out for us.

Together we’re stronger, and we’re only building in numbers now.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When I was in fourth grade, I had a best friend I would spend every waking hour with. We were either at my house or her house. In my young eyes, she had this perfect family. Her mom would have fresh, homemade cookies for whenever we got home from school. Her parents never swore, they didn’t have TV because they would always spend their time playing games with each other, and they constantly preached to me about what’s right and wrong. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I remember being embarrassed by my family at times. We burped, my parents swore, we would watch TV while eating dinner sometimes; we did all these things that my friend’s family looked down upon. There were times when I was nervous to ask my friend to come over because I knew my family was so much different.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that every family is different. That just because one family might seem perfect doesn’t mean that my family is any less. I learned it’s okay to fight. It’s okay to have miscommunications. It’s okay to have falling-outs, because personalities will change, they will morph, they will grow. And as long as you’re adjusting, accepting, and always there for each other, it doesn’t matter if you have disagreements, because there will always be love.

My friend’s parents . . . they divorced when we were in high school. Her mom was cheating on her dad with his best friend. I can’t make that up. Just goes to show that sometimes what you think might be “perfect” is not perfect at all.

The Chance family is very much a depiction of not just my family but also my extended family. The ups and downs of aging parents, the siblings who are able to assist, the siblings who are trying to make something of themselves, and the siblings who very well might have been holding guilt for many years. What I wanted to show is that no matter what might happen to a relationship in your life, when family’s involved, it’s never too late to fix things if you have it in your heart to offer acceptance.

So this book is dedicated to my not-so-perfect family. To my dad’s not-so-perfect siblings. To my mom’s not-so-perfect brother and sister. To my two older brothers, who push me to try harder, to work smarter. To my parents, for keeping me honest, for showing me what true love really is. We might not have had a perfect childhood by any means, but one thing I know for sure is that it was full of love.

Aimee Ashcraft, my agent, thank you for testing my creative process, pushing me to dive deeper into each character arc, and for always believing in my ability to get the job done.

Lauren Plude, I still can’t believe you said, “Sure, six POVs? Let’s do it.” I still can’t believe I DID IT. But thank you for taking a chance on this story. It’s unconventional romance at its best.

Lindsey Faber, your patience and guidance were exemplary. I’m not sure I would have been able to get through three rounds of edits without your well thought out critique.

To all the bloggers and readers out there, I don’t even know how to express my deepest love for you. You take a chance on my books every time I release one, which is something I can never show enough gratitude for. Thank you for being the best fans a girl could ask for. You make this job so much fun!

Thank you to Jenny, for being my number one cheerleader. Couldn’t get through these crazy, chaotic days without you.

And lastly, thank you to my wife, Steph. You believe in me—that is the biggest gift you could ever give me. Thank you for holding down the fort when deadlines persist, for taking care of the business, and the family, and for always being my sounding board. I love you.





TURN THE PAGE FOR A SNEAK PEEK FROM THE SECRET TO DATING YOUR BEST FRIEND’S SISTER





PROLOGUE


BRAM


I have a stupid-as-shit crush on my best friend’s sister.