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“I don’t know about more babies, mister,” she calls after him as he grabs a beer from the fridge and loosens his tie.

He pops the cap off the bottle and flashes her a smile that explains why he was able to seduce so many women before he married her.

Keeley giggles. “Maxon and I are talking about more. Well, Maxon is. I told him I have to see how this one goes. I really like sleep. I don’t know how I’m going to function without it.”

Everyone laughs.

Noah sticks his head in from the patio and informs everyone that dinner is almost ready. The women finish setting the table, and Nia does her best to help, though I’m sure she’s tired from traveling.

Minutes later, we’re sitting down to steaks and grilled vegetables, fresh pineapple, island breezes, and a lot of laughter. I just met these people a few months ago. Barged into their lives, really. It was awkward at first, and now…it’s as if I belong. As if I’ve always belonged.

I think relocating to Maui is the right move. I intend to convince Nia to come with me as my wife.

We share a boisterous dinner to the soundtrack of one of Keeley’s chill playlists in the background. I only recognize one Dido tune. Something about the best day of my life. Yeah, this is beginning to rank up there. There’s beer for the guys, and true to her word, Harlow opens a bottle of red, despite the fact my girl is the only one who can drink it. There’s laughs, gentle teasing, a lot of talk of the future, and a good time. I can picture the eight of us here over the years, growing closer as a family. I like the vision, except…they’ll all have children, and I’m not ready or willing to endure the possibility of loss again. I’ve mourned Becca, but for the last few weeks in particular, I’ve felt the gnawing grief of wishing I was holding my son or daughter now…while knowing I never will.

It’s a conundrum I’m unsure how to fix.

When the meal is over, everyone stands. By unspoken agreement, the guys start clearing the table and doing the dishes. The ladies pick up the rest of the vino and escort Nia outside, already deep in conversation.

“What’s that about?” I ask the other men.

“Girl talk,” Griff says cryptically with a saccharine smile.

In other words, they’re going to grill her. Because they think she’s not good enough for me? Because they suspect she pursued me for the wrong reasons? The notion makes me angry. “Nia is a great assistant, friend, and human being. She’s not after my money. I’m the one who started this. She⁠—”

“Hey, you don’t have to justify her to us,” Noah assures. “She seems great, and this is the happiest we’ve seen you.”

“Exactly,” Maxon puts in.

I let out a breath and frown. “Then why are your wives all circling her like they’re vultures and she’s prey?”

“They want answers,” Griff supplies. “And all the juicy details. How was your first date?”

Maxon nods in agreement. “Your first kiss?”

“Your first…” Noah doesn’t finish his question, just grins.

“She shouldn’t have to explain us to anyone.” I head off to rescue her.

My oldest brother stops me. “My wife will ply gently. You know Keeley. She’ll joke and set Nia at ease, make her laugh. And if Nia doesn’t feel like saying anything, she doesn’t have to. I’m sure she has no trouble saying no. But they just want to know if she’s content and invested…or if she could use a little help understanding how to speak Reed.”

“God knows I needed help,” Noah puts in.

“And they want to know if they should start planning a wedding,” Griff adds.

I huff. “I hope they find out and pass the answer on to me.”

The three of them exchange glances. “You don’t know?”

“Everything is new. And we’re still getting to know each other as something other than boss and assistant.”

“But she’s still working for you?” Griff asks.

“Yeah.” For now. I don’t want to think about what happens if she decides otherwise—or the Lunds manage to snatch her away.

“Is she making the move here, too?”

“Maybe. She’s still deciding.”