Page 89 of Line of Resistance
Eloise watched her go before turning back to the group of women and babies. “So that’s a universal thing with kids?” She loved having Bryson with them, but it had definitely forced them to get creative. “Because I was kind of hoping it would get better once Bryson got settled in.”
“I’d probably find something else to hope for.” Eva wrangled her own toddler. “They’re cute, but man do kids turn your whole life upside down.” She smoothed down the child’s wild hair. “I didn’t realize how much of a handful a small human could be.”
The rest of the women nodded in agreement and commiseration.
Eloise glanced around at all the babies. “And yet you all keep squeezing them out.” She clamped her lips together, but the words were already out there. Deadpan and dripping with sarcasm.
It was almost a full beat before anyone reacted, and the first one to crack was Mona. She laughed long and hard, falling back against the cushions on the couch. “They are everywhere, aren’t they?”
Eva wiped at the corner of one eye before lifting her little one up. “Pretty soon they’re all gonna be your responsibility.”
Harlow dropped back into her seat, stage whispering in the direction of Eloise’s ear. “More like they’re all gonna be your problem five days a week instead of theirs.” She tipped her head to one side. “At least you’ll get paid for it.”
Everyone laughed, not even batting an eye at the snark in Harlow’s retort. Eloise relaxed a little, shoulders slowly dropping from where they’d been clenched up around her ears. Maybe Nate wasn’t the only one who hadn’t had anything to worry about all this time.
Nate suddenly appeared beside her, leaning close as he slid one hand down her hair.
Harlow smirked. “I told you they always come back.”
“I’m stealing her.” Nate snagged her hand, lifting her off the couch. “Come here. I want to show you something.” He led her across the crowded room, past the kitchen area of the common space and straight to the doorway leading to the suites where they lived for a few weeks after their outdoor adventure. He stopped, eyes lifting to the frame over their head. Eloise looked up and found the same mistletoe she hoped to make use of last Christmas dangling over their heads.
She smiled, her belly warming a little at this full circle moment as she waited for Nate to lean in and give her the kiss she wanted a year ago.
Instead he dropped to one knee and flipped open a velvet ring box. “Marry me.”
Eloise blinked, completely stunned. “I think you have the mistletoe requirements mixed up.”
Nate’s grin widened. “I disagree.” He pulled the sparkling solitaire from its slot and lifted it between them. “Because I fully intend to kiss you as soon as this is on your finger.”
She took the ring, lifting it closer as she pretended to mull it over. “I’m guessing this means you don’t plan to ignore me after this.”
Nate stood up, pulling her body flush against his. “Sweetheart, I don’t think you could get rid of me if you tried.”
She carefully slid the diamond into place, running her thumb over the inside of the band. “I guess I might as well marry you then.”
Nate tipped her chin up. “Might as well.”
* * *
NATE
“HOW MUCH SHIT do you have in there?” Reed watched as Eloise dug through the soft sided cooler, dark brows creeping up his forehead as she shifted around copious amounts of snacks and drinks.
“Aha!” Eloise lifted out an item, holding it up triumphantly with a smile. “Found it.” She peeled the plastic straw from the back of the cardboard juice box, pushing it through its sleeve before stabbing it into the top and passing it off to a patiently waiting Bryson. “And the answer isenough. I have enough in there.” She smoothed Bryson’s sweaty hair back from his brow. “I just like to make sure we’re prepared.”
Nate slid the cooler back into the basket hooked to the back of Reggie’s electric scooter. He’d been completely unsurprised this morning when Eloise went through everything twice, making sure they were as ready as they could possibly be for a day of fun in the sun at the happiest place on earth.
Bryson sucked down a little of his apple juice before leaning in and giving Eloise a sideways hug. “Thank you, El. I was real thirsty.”
Eloise squeezed him tight. “I bet. It’s crazy hot here.”
Nate chuckled, looking over their suffering group. “This is actually pretty cool for this place. Last time I was here it was over ninety degrees with a heat index of over a hundred.”
Eloise glanced around the crowded park. “I guess I’m more used to the cooler weather than I realized.”
Reed swiped at his brow. “You thinkyou’reused to it.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how I let Pierce talk me into coming down here.”
“He offered a bonus to anyone willing to deal with Courtney.” Nate reminded his friend of the actual motivation that led to him suffering and sweating his way through central Florida.