Ready for You (Ready #3)(67)

I exhaled, and my knees went wobbly. Garrett had a gift of knowing exactly what to say to make my heart take flight. It had been free flying for weeks now.

“So, you’re saying I am a terrible cook?” I joked.

He angled downward, his lips hovering over mine in a sly grin. Feeling him this close to me made my shaky knees feel weaker.

“The worst.” He laughed as he placed playful kisses all over my lips and cheeks.

After a brief, playful make-out session in the kitchen, involving Garrett licking every bit of batter off my cheeks and chest, he finally saved the day by taking over.

Within fifteen minutes, the brownies and the first batch of cookies were baking in the oven.

I stared in wonderment. I was completely amazed and astonished that he could accomplish so much in such a small amount of time—and with no mess. “How did you do that?”

“I followed the directions on the box. Baby, it’s not that hard.”

I folded my arms and sulked. “For you maybe.”

Within the hour, everything was baked, cooled, and packed up. I’d run upstairs and managed to make myself look presentable in a pretty floral sundress that brought out the subtle red highlights in my dark locks and the blue of my eyes.

“Forget brownies. I want to eat you,” Garrett growled as I joined him back downstairs.

“That can be arranged…later,” I teased.

“Not funny.”

“Come on, we need to get going, or we’ll never make it.”

His eyes lingered, taking in every curve of my body in my brightly colored dress. “I’d be okay with that. I don’t think they’d miss us too much.”

I rolled my eyes as I took his hand and pulled him toward the door. He dragged his feet but reluctantly came, making sure to grab the goodies by the door before we left.

I’d never been to Leah and Declan’s house. Since Leah and I had become such close friends, I tried not to think of her husband as a famous movie star, but when we pulled up to their driveway, it was difficult. Their house was massive and beautiful. It had perfectly landscaped lawns and flower beds, a beautiful brick exterior, and a white picket fence. A large wide lot gave them privacy and room to let the children run.

After we made our way up the walkway, Garrett didn’t bother knocking at the front door. He just turned the knob and walked in like he owned the place. I guessed family could do that. Leah and Declan’s house was regal and sophisticated from the outside, but once we entered, I immediately felt at home. Inviting, warm colors and soft, plush fabric made the large spaces feel intimate and cozy. Children’s artwork hung from the walls, and toys were shoved in every corner in an effort to keep things tidy. It screamed family, and I could see bits of my new friend scattered everywhere.

“Hey, Goober!” Leah greeted us as we entered the kitchen.

She was putting the final touches on a salad, and Clare was drinking a glass of wine while sitting at the counter.

“I really hate that nickname,” Garrett grumbled, causing the three of us to burst out laughing.

“I think it’s adorable.” I placed a sweet kiss on his cheek.

The gesture didn’t go unnoticed by Leah and Clare, and I saw them share a quick grin of satisfaction.

“Garrett, the guys are outside, pretending like they know how to use a grill. Why don’t you go out there and help them?” Clare suggested.

He gave me a sideways glance, and I smiled in approval even though I wanted to hurl. I’d become comfortable and close with Leah. I could handle her blunt personality and witty humor. Clare was a wild card, and I didn’t know how she would react to me without Garrett around.

“Okay, but be nice,” he warned.

Leah and Clare put on their best innocent faces. Garrett only grunted in response, shaking his head, as he made his way out of the kitchen. He slipped out the sliding glass door, and I heard a bunch of manly greetings follow. I stood quietly and pretended to be highly interested in the curtains and beige wall color.

This is not at all awkward.

“You think we’re going to interrogate you, don’t you?” Clare asked, amusement flickering in her emerald eyes.

“Kind of,” I answered honestly.

“Oh, please,” Leah answered. “We just wanted to thank you.”

Shocked senseless, I managed to ask, “Why?”

“For giving us our brother back,” Leah answered. “Since you returned, he’s found his way back to the living. He smiles, he laughs, and he’s not holed up in his office twenty-four hours a day.”

“But aren’t you mad that it was my fault he became that way in the first place?” I asked.

Both Leah and Clare spoke at once, but Clare took the lead. “We all make decisions, Mia. I don’t know what led you away from my brother, but I do know he chose to live the way he did. No one made him put his life on hold and wait for you. That was his own decision. It was painful to watch, but in the end, I think it was the right one.”

“All that matters is that we have you both back,” Leah added.

“Thank you.”

They both nodded, and Leah laughed. “Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let’s hug it out and then uncork some more wine!”

We ended up huddled together, laughing and hugging and shedding a few tears.