A Long Time Coming (Cane Brothers, #3)(79)

I clear my throat and try to act normal as the thought of Breaker fucking someone flashes through my mind. “Um, well, we will need yarn.”

“Hold on.” Lottie pulls out her phone and types away. “I’m taking notes. We’re going to make this happen.”





All the ladies have a croissant in hand, and together we “cheers” them in the middle of the table, and each takes a bite.

Ooey, gooey buttery and flaky with a hint of jam. Good God, it is the most magnificent thing I think I’ve ever tasted.

“Oh my God, this is good,” I say with a mouthful.

“If I wasn’t so concerned about my waistline expanding, I’d have these every day,” Lottie says. “Reign is our personal chef, and he spends all afternoon prepping these. He makes sure they’re piping hot in the morning. And his homemade jam is heaven.”

“JP is trying to steal Reign, and he asked me to help him,” Kelsey says. “I told him there was no way I was getting in the middle of that fight.”

“Smart move, sis,” Lottie says, playfully staring down Kelsey.

“You know”—Myla examines her croissant—“I might have to ask Ryot to get in the mix of stealing Reign. I have no problem with some friendly competition.”

Lottie glares at Myla. “Need I remind you that I’m feisty, and I don’t mind using my nails as claws.”

Myla leans close and says, “Need I remind you that I grew up in a military household where I learned to hold my own. I will destroy you.”

“I have secret rage,” Lottie fires back, making us all chuckle.

“That means nothing to me,” Myla counters with an evil glare.

“You know,” Kelsey cuts in. “Maybe I’ll just do you all a favor and steal him for JP, and that way, we don’t have to see anyone’s rage.”

“Or I can just take him,” I say, raising my hand.

All the girls turn toward me, and Lottie is the first to smile. “I think you’ll fit in just nicely.”

“I agree,” Kelsey says.

“I think so too.”

I sip my mimosa and smile because I could not agree more. This is exactly what I was looking for: a group of girls I could talk to, bond with, and just laugh with when it feels like the world is falling apart around me.

Of course I have Breaker, but for that moment when we weren’t talking, it felt like I had no one, and that made me so sick to my stomach. Talking with these girls, making friends, fulfills one of the items on my check-off list—build and create a circle of trust. I know it’s early, but this could be the beginning of that.

“You haven’t told us anything about the wedding,” Kelsey says.

“True,” Lottie chimes in. “The only thing I’ve heard is how breathtaking you are in your dress.”

“You heard that?” I ask.

“Yeah. Breaker was telling Huxley all about it. I think his exact sentence was she stole my breath.”

“Wow, if Breaker said that, I can only imagine what your fiancé will say,” Myla adds.

Yeah, I wonder what Brian would say. I know what his mother thinks—she was not a fan.

Not a fan of any of the three dresses she forced me to get.

“I’m sure he’ll love it,” I say, even though I can’t be entirely sure, especially after his response last night about my hair and outfit.

“Where is the wedding?” Kelsey asks.

“The Pier 1905 Club,” I answer. “Brian’s family are members. The wedding will take place in the gardens.”

“Oh, that should be pretty,” Kelsey says.

“Yeah,” I say on a sigh and realize that maybe this would be a good way to bond with the girls. Bond on a deeper level. “It’s not my ideal location, but I’m sort of stuck with it since my soon-to-be mother-in-law is a distant relative of Lucifer himself.”

“Really?” Lottie asks, setting her drink down and turning toward me. “Is she one of those moms who wants to have control over everything?”

“Yeah. Mother has her quintessential wedding in mind, and none of my ideas are even on Mother’s radar.”

“How is she getting away with this?” Kelsey asks. “Does Brian know?”

“Oh yeah, he knows, and he’s completely impervious. He keeps telling me to let his mother make all the decisions because the wedding isn’t a union of love for his family. It’s more of a horse and pony show. Clearly, I don’t have the same opinion.”

“Uh, and why isn’t Brian backing you up?” Lottie asks.

Great question.

“He’s a mama’s boy, and I’m pretty sure he still believes he must do anything to please Mother. Also known as The Beave. He constantly seeks his parents’ approval, and this is just another instance of that.”

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” Kelsey says, outraged. “I like the nickname, though. Your wedding should be one of the most special days of your life, not a day filled with someone else’s version of love.”

“I agree. Breaker has been pretty good at helping me keep things from getting too scary. The mother-in-law wanted us to get married in a church, but Breaker helped move it to the garden. The dresses she wanted me to wear were atrocious, and Breaker put his foot down on that too. Honestly, I’d be lost without him.”