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  “Actually, I wouldn’t know,” I confessed, feeling strange having the conversation with Heather. We’d never been overly close, although we loved each other. I couldn’t recall any time we’d ever talked about sex. Although technically we weren’t then either.

  “How do you not know? I’d have jumped him on day one. What are you waiting for?”

  I peeked at Brady, but he was still wrapped up in a conversation with my dad. “We’re taking things slow. My last relationship ended pretty bad and Brady’s cautious, too. We decided not to rush into anything and get to know each other first.”

  “Wow,” Heather said with arched brows. “If Mom knew that she’d probably like him a bit more. Sorry about her. You know how she is.”

  I shrugged. “I’m used to it. She asks me at least once a week when I’m going to get a ‘real’ job. She thinks I just sit around all day and watch TV.”

  Heather laughed. “You would think someone who spent their life as a housewife would know how easy it is to be insanely busy without a job and would realize you have all that plus work. I couldn’t survive without my housekeeper.”

  “Yeah,” I argued, “but you have kids. If there’s one thing Mom is even more disappointed in me for it’s that I’m 29 and haven’t brought any grandkids into the world yet. You’d think five would be enough.”

  Heather nodded. “I know I’m done. I think Brian is, too. It’s up to you and Brady now.”

  “Whoa, we’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks. We’re not walking down the aisle yet. We’re not even sleeping together.”

  Heather shrugged. “Some people wait. Maybe he’ll want to wait until he’s married. Is he a virgin?”

  I narrowed my eyes and thought back over our conversations. He’d never mentioned it either way. “I don’t think so, but I haven’t exactly asked for his list of past lovers. We’re just not there yet. He hasn’t said anything about waiting for marriage. We’re just going slow.”

  Heather looked over at Brady again, staring just a little too long. Thankfully the men had turned their conversation to sports so Mark was oblivious to Heather’s longing looks at my boyfriend. Thankfully I found it more entertaining than irritating.

  “Would that be a deal-breaker for you? If he wanted to wait?”

  My head tipped to the side while I thought about it. I glanced over at Brady and he winked at me then leaned close. His lips brushed my throat then ran up to my ear. He nibbled my ear lobe then whispered, “I’m not a virgin and I’m not waiting for marriage. Just waiting until I can control myself around all your sexiness. Hopefully that’s not a deal-breaker.”

  His tongue darted into my ear, making my eyes slip closed. He nipped my ear again then sat back up as though nothing had happened and rejoined the conversation with my dad.

  “What was that?” Heather whispered in my other ear.

  Brady’s hand squeezed my thigh and I grinned. “He heard everything we said,” I told Heather. “And he said he’s not a virgin and not waiting for marriage.”

  Heather’s eyes danced over to Brady’s and her cheeks pinked. “Oh, my God, I feel so high school right now. How embarrassing,” she whispered.

  Brady leaned over again, his lips tickling my ear as he spoke. “Tell Heather not to be embarrassed. I’m pretty fucking thrilled to put Channing Tatum to shame and it’s nice to know she’s on our side, not your mom’s.”

  I grinned as he spoke and as soon as he moved away Heather yanked my arm over to her side. “What did he say?” she hissed.

  I repeated his words and watched my cool, calm, and collected sister turn bright red. After a few seconds we collapsed into a heap of giggles like when we were kids. Mom’s eyes narrowed on us and she demanded to know what was going on. “Nothing!” we chorused then fell against each other giggling again.

  Once we ate dinner and the kids had been ordered off to the bathroom, we all headed down the street to watch the fireworks. As always the park was crowded but we were able to find a seat just outside the barriers where we could watch. We laid out four blankets to lie on. Mom pulled out glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets for the kids and Mark bought them all fiber optic wands.

  “This is the first time I’ve done this,” Brady confessed as we sat down.

  “Oh, the park is great. I know there are fireworks displays all over, but they do a great job here. Where did you go last year?”

  “Nowhere. This is the first time I’ve ever gone to see fireworks on The Fourth. I’ve always sat home and enjoyed the day off.”

  I gawked at him. How was that possible? “Not even as a teenager or anything? You never took a girlfriend to make out under the fireworks. It’s very romantic.”

  He pulled me between his legs so my back was to his chest. He lips brushed my ear. “It would be a bit more romantic without your mother giving us dirty looks, but no, I never took a girlfriend. You’re the first.”

  He called me his girlfriend! Holy shit. I mean, I sort of thought of him as my boyfriend, but saying it was different than thinking it.

  Although he didn’t actually say it, just implied it. Does that count?

  “What’s wrong? You went still.”

  I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

  Brady leaned around me so he could catch my eyes. He stared into them for a few seconds before he declared, “I don’t believe you. What did I say, Sam?”

  “It’s stupid.”

  “Nothing is stupid. If it’s bothering you, I want to know.”

  I sighed heavily. “You said you’d never even gone with a girlfriend and that I was the first. It sounded like you were saying I was your girlfriend, but you didn’t actually say it. I got excited for a second then felt stupid because it was really nothing.”

  Brady stared at me, not speaking. I felt worse and worse with each passing second.

  “See, I told you it was stupid. Just forget I said anything.”

  I turned my face away from his so I wouldn’t have to watch him watching me. Brady cupped my chin and tried to turn me back to him, but I wouldn’t. “Look at me, Sam, please.” I couldn’t deny him, I looked. “I don’t really know what to say because I didn’t realize you needed to hear the word. I’ve thought of you as my girlfriend since the first time I kissed you. I thought of you as mine before then, but I couldn’t claim you. You are my girlfriend, you are my partner, you are my everything, and one day I hope you’ll be my lover. I’m sorry I didn’t clarify that before.”

  Damn he was good. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “So,” he began with a devious grin, “does that mean I’m your boyfriend, or do I have to fight for the title? Defend your honor? Tell off your mom?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No, you don’t have to do any of that. You’re my boyfriend, as far as I’m concerned, you have been since the moment your lips touch mine. I don’t date more than one person at a time. You’re it.”

  “Phew,” Brady said dramatically. “That was a close one.”

  I laughed and tilted my chin up for a kiss. Brady obliged with one hand resting across my neck, his thumb caressing just under my jaw. He shifted to get a better angle just as the first of the fireworks lit up the sky.

  “Just kissing you makes me see fireworks,” Brady whispered against my ear as he pulled back.

  I grinned at his line and snuggled against him. He dropped back to his elbows so he could look up without hurting his neck then rested a hand on my hip. My head rested against his chest, using him as a pillow, and I watched as the sky lit up with one color after another.

  My nieces and nephew cuddled against their parents and grandparents during the show and squealed during the duds, oohed and aahed for the other ones. Brady’s lips rested against my head more than once and everything about the night was overwhelming for me. I didn’t tell Brady, but I’d never brought a guy to the fireworks. All the times I’d watched the show, I couldn’t ever invite a guy that I knew wouldn’t be around for the next year.

/>   It was too special to me.

  With Brady though, it was different. It’d only been two weeks since we first kissed, but I knew we were different. And I wondered as the finale electrified the night sky if I’d be lucky enough to share the experience with Brady again in a year.

  Fifteen

  When I talked to Addi the next day she asked about my Fourth. She knew it was one of the few days I enjoyed spending with my family. She’d gone with me a few times, but she and Joey had a fireworks show that night at Winter Ridge so I knew she wouldn’t be able to come anymore.

  It was okay though, because for one year I had Brady.

  When I admitted to Addi that Brady went with me, she insisted I bring him to girls’ night. I figured if he could survive my family, my friends would be a piece of cake.

  But I was still anxious. I went to Dave’s Gym early Monday so I could talk to him about it, giving him the option to say no if he didn’t want to go.

  He understood right away and said, “This is even more important to you than meeting your parents, isn’t it?”

  I nodded and bit my lip, feeling like I would pop if he didn’t make a decision soon.

  “You know I’ll go, babe. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine,” Brady insisted, then pulled me in for a kiss. His hard body brushed against mine as he kissed me, lazy, gentle, soft kisses as though he had all the time in the world. I wanted nothing more than to stay there in his arms, but I couldn’t. I had a meeting.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, pushing back from him. “I’ve got a bride coming in thirty minutes. I need to run.”

  Brady nodded. “Of course. Show her how wonderful you can make her day.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not sure I really want to. I sort of hate shooting weddings.”

  “Then don’t,” he said simply, as if there was no other answer. “Life’s too short to do something you don’t enjoy, Sam.”

  “I wish it were that simple. Weddings bring in a lot of money for me. I’d have to move if I gave them up.”

  “Then I guess you have to decide what’s more important, your house or your happiness.”

  When he put it like that, I knew what I had to do. I thanked Brady with another scorching kiss then ran off to the locker room to shower and change.

  By the time I pulled into a parking space at my studio I knew what Brady said was true. I needed to just move forward and do what was right for me. I’d been holding on to the house in case Addi needed to come back, but they were getting married. She wasn’t coming back. And I needed to move forward with my life, too.

  The bride, Ann, walked in shortly after I did. On her arm was a man who barely looked old enough to vote, let alone get married. Not that Ann was any older.

  “It’s so nice to see you again,” I told Ann, shaking her hand and gesturing to the seats in front of my desk. “You must be Lee.”

  The man nodded and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Ann.”

  I nodded my appreciation and took my seat on the other side of the desk. “So we need to talk about exactly what you guys want for the wedding day. What shots, what sort of time you need me there, everything.”

  We launched into a discussion I’d had countless times before, but my heart wasn’t in it. When I first started shooting weddings I thought it would be a fun day. Sure, I expected stress, but I didn’t expect the anxiety and anger from the brides. Ann was sweet and cute and easy to talk to, but I knew she was going to be a difficult bride when she started talking about all the shots she wanted me to take.

  I took notes, marking down everything she wanted me to capture, noting special shots that weren’t automatic ones, and thought of my afternoon appointment. I was meeting with a family, and I knew it was going to be a much easier session.

  “My friends are all going to call you, Samantha. Two of them just got engaged and three others are pushing their boyfriends to propose. I’ve been showing them your website for months.”

  I forced a smile then said the words I desperately wanted to be true. “Actually, yours will be my last wedding. I’m not going to do any more after I finish yours.”

  A devious grin slid over Ann’s face. “I’ll be your last one. Ooh, they’ll be so jealous. Why would you give it up? Weddings are so much fun!”

  I tried not to cringe at the screech in her voice. “I’m focusing on other aspects of my career. Plus, it’ll be nice to have a few weekends off here and there. With weddings I work basically all weekend, every weekend. It gets exhausting after a while.”

  “Oh, I can understand that,” Ann said sympathetically. “Lee has to work one weekend every six months and it’s just torture. We totally get what you’re saying.”

  Really? Yep, they were totally the same thing. I didn’t even answer.

  “Okay, so we’re good for the 28th?” I nodded. “Excellent. Well, thanks for making us your last wedding, Samantha. I know it’s going to be a great one to end your career.”

  Ann and Lee led the way to the door. They said goodbye and stepped out into the sunshine, leaving me to figure out the rest of my life since I’d put it in motion.

  ~*~

  A few hours later I had appointments lined up over the weekend to tour some apartments and a couple condos in my new budget. I was excited about moving forward with my life. I knew I wouldn’t have a big place, but it would be mine. Not mine and used-to-be Addi’s. I would make it work, and the family that walked through my door as I was closing my laptop reminded me of exactly what I had to look forward to.

  The Coughlin family were all smiles when they walked in. Mom, Amy, was beautiful with long hair that nearly glowed it was so blonde. The little girl holding on to her leg had the same hair, but Dad’s rich brown eyes. Dad, Eric, was carrying a tiny baby and holding hands with a little boy whose dark hair had the same red tint when the light hit.

  They were an adorable family.

  “Are we early?” Amy asked as she shook my hand.

  “Of course not. You’re right on time. Let’s head back to the studio so you guys can get comfortable.”

  The baby was only two weeks old, which was why they were in for pictures. Amy wasn’t comfortable having him outside in the grass and knew she wanted shots of him lying down. My studio was the perfect option for the family, another reason I loved what I did and paid the price for having my own studio.

  If my plans actually went through and I was able to eliminate weddings my studio would become even more important. I’d have that many more sessions in the studio than I currently did. Maybe even one day a week with one hour mini sessions, back-to-back with families.

  Ooh, I liked that idea.

  The little boy squealed, drawing me back to the family before me. I smiled as Eric lifted his son high in the air and zoomed him around the room like he was an airplane. I rushed to grab my camera off the table and started snapping pictures of them being silly while Amy settled the baby on the blanket I’d laid out on the floor.

  “What do you want to start with? The kids or everyone?”

  “Um,” Amy hesitated, looking at her family. “How about the kids first?”

  I nodded. “Sounds good. I’d like to take a few shots of each kid alone, then get them together. Maybe you guys can each play with one kid while I take pictures of the third?”

  Amy smiled and headed over to entertain the oldest, Gracie, and I focused on the baby, Tommy. He was curled up on the blanket sleeping, but was starting to stir. I took a few quick shots while he slept, changing position to capture all sides of the snoozing baby. When he stretched, I clicked quickly, catching him in a yawn looking absolutely adorable.

  Tommy started to whine, drawing Amy’s attention. She picked him up and cuddled him against her chest, looking down at him with pure love. I took a few candid shots of them before distracting Gracie.

  “Do you want to see my special box of toys? It’s only for girls who are really good for their parents. Are you one of those girls?”


  Gracie nodded enthusiastically and followed me to the back of the studio. I’d learned over the years what sorts of toys would entertain the kids the most. I made sure I kept some of the latest toys on hand, but also some older favorites, including lots of stuffed animals.

  “Mommy, mommy! Look what she has!” Gracie pulled a small unicorn from the box and grinned like she’d won a prize. I snapped some shots of her beautiful smile and bright eyes. When she ran over to Amy I caught the look of excitement mirrored on her face too, seeing pure joy at what her daughter had unearthed. While Gracie talked, Tommy watched his big sister with big curious eyes. He smiled widely when she spoke, recognizing her voice and loving her even at such a young age.

  Eric and Bobby, their older son, joined in the discussion after a few minutes. Eric exclaimed the same happiness over what his daughter had found, thrilled for her.

  Bobby watched me carefully, looking at me then back at his sister for a few minutes. I listened to them talking, Gracie telling Bobby she was able to see my special toy box because she was a good girl. He finally worked up the courage to approach me and said, “Miss Samantha? Mommy says I’m a good boy. Can I see your toys, too?”

  My heart swelled over the sweet, polite little boy in front of me. I reached for his hand and said, “Of course you can. You seem like you’re a wonderful boy. Maybe there’s something in there that you’ll like.”

  Bobby walked with me and kneeled on the ground next to the open toy box. He dug through little by little, methodically searching for that one special thing that would make him as happy as Gracie was. I watched him through the lens of my camera, preserving the determined look on his face as he rooted through the loot.

  When his little fingers closed around something, I knew he’d found what he was looking for. A grin slowly formed on his lips until he squealed with delight when he lifted the truck free. It was from a show that was apparently popular, not that I knew anything about it, but my nephew had gone nuts over it last Christmas.

  “Daddy!” Bobby yelled. “Daddy, look!” He held his truck up above his head to show it off. Eric grinned and rushed over, all excited about Bobby’s new truck.