“She’s yours,” Emma had whispered.
“She is absolutely mine,” I’d agreed, then said, “Blood has nothing to do with it—with any of them.”
Emma had pushed up on an elbow to look down at me, her expression soft and adoring even as she’d said, “I’m understanding that more and more, but I don’t think Donna has anyone like that either.”
“No, but we do. You’ve already given Donna her store back, you can give her a new family.” At Emma’s confusion, I’d lifted a shoulder. “There’s Jenn.”
“But she loves her job,” Emma had said. “Wasn’t she just telling us that last week?”
“No, she hates her job. She just likes the hours.” Excitement had slowly lit Emma’s face as the idea took hold, so I’d continued. “Leah and her mom are going to need income now. Leah will need some time because of the baby . . . but in a couple months?”
“I’ll see what Donna thinks,” she’d said softly, but no less enthusiastically. “But I have a feeling she’s going to love the thought of it.”
She had.
Within a week, Jenn was working there. Soon after, Mrs. Butler and Leah were too.
Nothing was ever set in their schedules, but somehow, there were always at least two of them at opening and closing. With all of them coming and going and effortlessly switching whenever one of them needed to leave. The guys and I didn’t understand it, but it worked for them, and Donna said it truly felt like family—everyone working to constantly make the store better while helping each other.
And Emma was happy.
That was all that mattered to me.
Ron and Jarrod had recently been sentenced and were going to prison for a long damn time. Emma’s old boss and a couple of the other guys that had been there that night didn’t get nearly as long, but it was still something.
And it was over.
Leah and her mom’s worries that Jarrod and Ron would be released—since no one knew how they would react to the women divorcing them. Rowe and Leah having to suppress what they felt for each other—not that Butler and I hadn’t given Rowe shit for it when they’d moved in together. Emma’s unwarranted guilt for hurting and breaking up the Butler family . . . the way she’d fought against her shields each time she was questioned and had to take part in the trials . . . it was all over.
Now, it was our time.
I crawled onto the bed, lifting the shirt she was wearing just enough to press my mouth to the small bump growing between her hips, then moved farther up her body until I was caging her in.
“Emma Wade,” I whispered against her lips, then passed a soft kiss across them. “Wake up.”
She stretched beneath me, one of her hands slowly coming up to rest against my chest. “Sunrise?” she asked, voice soft and groggy.
“Only sunrise,” I whispered, a smile tugging at my mouth when she blinked until she could keep her eyes on me.
“What?”
“Only sunrises and easy days,” I said, recalling her words from all those months and heartache ago. “Only long nights wrapped up in each other.”
She inhaled quickly, her eyes widening when she realized what I was saying.
“No pain. No anger. No sorrow.”
“Reed . . .” Her stare darted over me, just now realizing how I was dressed. “Oh my God.”
“I can’t go another day without you being my wife.”
A soft laugh tumbled free when she looked back up at me, smile all unrestrained joy. “Then marry me.”
I dipped down to steal another kiss just as someone began pounding on the door, causing Emma to jolt beneath me.
“You already made a baby,” Kennedy yelled. “We need to get her ready.”
“Was that one of your sisters?”
An irritated huff slipped free as I nodded. “My family flew in last night,” I said unapologetically. “They’re all waiting for you downstairs.”
“All of them?” she asked, eyebrows lifting in surprise.
“Leah and Jenn too.”
I nipped at her jaw when her surprise deepened and then sat back. “Sunrise is in an hour. I’ll see you out back.”
“Wait, out back? What?”
“You said no to a church,” I explained. “This is where you first started trusting me. This is where you started loving me. This is where I first started seeing you as my future.” I lifted a shoulder and leaned over her again. “This house is us.”
A soft sigh slipped past her lips, her fingers playing with one of the buttons on my black button-down. “It is, and it couldn’t be more perfect.”
Cradling her neck in my palm, I searched her hazel eyes. Letting all my love for her overwhelm me for a while before whispering, “Gonna marry you now, Emma.”
“And then forever?”
“Babe . . .” I passed my mouth across hers. “We’re already living our forever.”
Want to see how the Ryan family got started? Check out the Forgiving Lies novels from Molly McAdams!
Forgiving Lies
Deceiving Lies
Trusting Liam
Coming soon . . .
From New York Times bestselling author, Molly McAdams, comes a new, captivating series that follows five girls sharing a house in the heart of Hollywood who all have secret lives of their own. From following passions, to loving freely, to working scandalous careers, the Secrets in L.A. series is filled with excitement, romance, and lies.
Cory—As always, thank you for being my constant support. Everything I do is possible because of you. I love you!
Molly and Amy—A massive thank you for the never-ending support and encouragement. Your friendships mean the world to me. I don’t know what I would do without the two of you.
Molly’s Monsters—Y’all are literally the best group on Facebook. This story would’ve never happened if it weren’t for you and that incredibly epic thread. Without y’all, Reed would’ve remained “the missing Ryan brother” and #HesOverseas. Even though I have loved every shirt and sign and petition made for him, I truly hope you’ve enjoyed his story.
Eric, Letitia, & Shannon—Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this book what it is! From the photo to the cover to the edits . . . you’re all such rock stars!
Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband, daughter, and fur baby. When she's not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach . . . which roughly translates to being a homebody and dishing out movie quotes with her hubby. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies and loves curling up in a fluffy blanket during a thunderstorm . . . or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.
For more of Molly McAdams’s novels, visit: www.mollysmcadams.com/books
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Lie to Me Page 44
