Friend Zone Series Box Set

by Nicole Blanchard

  When I’d had my fill, I got back to my feet. “Be right back.” I went to my room and retrieved a small bag from one of the boxes. “I wanted you to have this.”

  “Em,” his voice cut off as he dug inside the gift bag and pulled out a little onesie. It was a Florida Falcons jersey for a newborn with WILDER stitched on the back.

  “I thought you would think it was a cute way to tell your parents.”

  “You— When did you get this?”

  I lifted a shoulder. “When I first found out. I meant to give it to you when I told you, but I was so emotional about the twins that I completely forgot. You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.”

  “No, I want it.” His voice sounded like it had been mixed with gravel. He tugged me down so that I straddled his lap. For a moment, all he could do was hold me. “I want it more now than I’ve ever wanted anything. Will you be with me? I don’t want to spend any more time apart.”

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “Yes, that’s what I want.”

  “Then, you’re stuck with me.”

  “Is that a rule?” I asked with a smile.

  He kissed me. “That’s the only rule.”

  Epilogue

  Ember

  Three Years Later

  They won.

  I couldn’t believe it.

  I’d never seen a real-life demonstration of the phrase, “the crowd went wild,” until that moment. Cheers erupted so loudly that it made my head ring. Popcorn was tossed into the air like confetti. Sprays of soda and beer poured down like droplets of rain, soaking my navy and gold Florida Falcon’s jersey with the name WILDER embroidered carefully between my shoulder blades.

  Tillie and Molly jumped up and down beside me. They were older now and understood more of the game, but they were mostly excited because everyone else was.

  “He did it!” Tillie shouted. “Tripp won!”

  “Can we go see him?” Molly asked. “We should tell him congratulations.”

  I thought about saying no, that it might be too crowded to navigate down to the field, but Layla motioned for me and said, “Go for it. Everyone else is.” Dash was by her side, clean-cut in a pair of slacks and a partially unbuttoned collared shirt, uncaring that he was covered in beer and greasy popcorn.

  “Get your man,” Charlie shouted, then whooped. Liam scooped her into a crushing hug and spun her around.

  They were right, of course. I should go get my man.

  “We want to go,” Molly said.

  “Yeah, he’s ours, too.”

  I couldn’t refute that. From the moment he’d moved in with us, they’d staked a claim as good as my own. Sometimes, even better. To say they had him wrapped around their little fingers was an understatement. He was a slave to those girls. I loved him a little more every time I saw them together playing tea, or playing with our new Boston Terrier, Frank, or the three of them all piled up on the couch passed out after a long day of playing on the Slip ’N Slide in the tiny patch of grass in our fenced in backyard.

  Each girl grabbed hold of one of my hands, and I hollered above the din for them to stay behind me. Like I did when I got to a particularly crowded scene at work, I barreled through the crush of people like I was a two-ton elephant instead of a 5’6” woman. The girls pressed close to my back, and I kept a stranglehold on their little hands.

  We made it to the railing where fans were simply jumping off straight onto the field and flooding around the players near the home plate. I paused for a moment, considering, then decided, what the hell. You only live once. Picking my way to an empty section at the railing, I scoured around me for the perfect spot where the girls and I could access the field without breaking our legs from the significant drop to the grass.

  Fortunately, a compassionate person had somehow gotten a gate open with access, and I made a beeline for it before we could get swamped with more people. Once on the field, the girls and I made a break for it, sprinting along with dozens of others toward the diamond. The players stood out in a mass of navy, several being thrown up on shoulders and toted around. Camera flashes damn near blinded me, but I didn’t lose focus. I had eyes only for Tripp.

  The crowd began to part when I was within a few feet, and Tripp appeared on its edge. I don’t know if it was the sudden chill around the stadium or a sense of foreboding, but I slowed to a walk as I came closer. His teammates ringed around him in a half-circle. The hell?

  Tillie and Molly were giggling and ran to Alex, who was on the opposite team. I’d asked Tripp what it was like playing against his friend once, and he had said they had a hell of a good time playing up the friendly rivalry. Off the field, they were still as thick as thieves when they weren’t working. Alex scooped up the twins, one in each hand, and smiled at a couple of blondes nearby. He loved the girls, but he also loved that they were a chick magnet. Naturally. Three years and he hadn’t changed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  My eyes went back to Tripp, who’d made it to me, finally. He hadn’t even said a word yet, and I was already near tears, dammit. “I’m so proud of you,” I choked out.

  He pulled me into his arms, and I pressed my face into the humid material of his jersey. I didn’t care. I loved him when he was all dressed up, and when he was a sweaty mess. I loved him, no matter what.

  “Thanks, baby.” He pulled back and cupped my cheek with a hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” I tugged his head down so he could hear me over the shouting and screaming. “Congratulations.”

  He kissed my cheek. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Lies,” I said, but I was laughing as I kissed him.

  The crowd around us muted to a barely-noticeable buzz. He deepened the kiss for one hot, furious moment, and when he released me, my head was buzzing, too. His hands dropped to mine.

  A hush descended, and the contrast to moments before was almost deafening. My heart tripped. I glanced around nervously and found the twins grinning from ear-to-ear. “What’s going on?”

  Tripp squeezed my hands reassuringly.

  Then, he got down to one knee.

  A quick bark of high-pitched laughter burst from my lips. Then I snapped my jaws closed, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. When I cracked them open again, he was still there, kneeling before me.

  “What’s happening?” I whispered. My heart thundered so hard that I could feel it beating in the tips of my fingers and throughout my chest. He wasn’t... No, he couldn’t be.

  Tripp merely smiled. “Ember. I promise to follow our rules for the rest of our lives together. Plus, one more. I promise to communicate with you, even when it’s hard. I promise to be honest at all times, even if it hurts. I promise that our family—you, me, the girls—and the lives we make together will always be my priority. I promise to love you for as much time as we have together on this earth. And finally, I promise to make each day better than the last...if you’ll have me.”

  A box appeared in his hand. I may have blacked out for a second, so I wasn’t sure where it came from. He let go of my hand to open it, revealing a beautiful halo-cut engagement ring.

  “Holy shit,” I whispered, struck dumb. Those around me who were close enough to hear my surprised exclamation laughed.

  He was shaking when he took my hand with his free one. Looking into my eyes, his bright with unshed emotion, he said, “Ember, will you marry me?”

  I was crying. Dashing the tears away with my fingers, I tried to say yes, but the words wouldn’t come around the lump in my throat. My feet bounced because I couldn’t stay still, and I was trembling as much as, if not more than, Tripp. All I could do was nod.

  The world erupted into cheers again, and Tripp surged to his feet to take me into his arms. Over the crowd, which now pressed in around us, I could hear Tillie and Molly screaming and cheering. I saw flashes of faces, Layla and Dash, Charlie and Liam. Tripp’s parents. Phones winked and flashed as pe
ople revolved around me.

  Tripp set me down on my feet amongst the crowd, which was still in a crazy mass around us. “You aren’t saying that because I put you in a tough spot in front of everyone, are you?’

  I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “That would have been bad if I said no. But for you, it’s yes. It’ll always be yes.”

  “You promise?” he asked softly.

  “You were the best risk I’ve ever taken. I promise.”

  Exclusive Series Epilogue

  Charlie

  “Next year, she’ll be going to school. Can you believe that?” I ran my hands over a miniature head full of cornflower silk hair. The delicate gold lace flower girl dress is a couple shades darker than her silky locks.

  “You’ve been saying that ever since she was born.”

  My eyes lifted to where Layla was standing, clad in a deep blue bridesmaid’s dress. Ember was next to her in a deep green and Madison on the other side in a violet. Carolina, my daughter, stood in front of me, facing away, coloring to keep herself occupied during the hustle and bustle of preparations. We had about ten minutes before she was bored with the crayons, but for now she was content.

  She was a wild one, but I loved every second of it. Carolina was every wonderful part of me and Liam, a constant reminder of our love. “And I mean it every year. I keep telling her to stop growing, but she doesn’t listen to me.” I remembered a time before she could walk and talk when she wouldn’t let me put her down. Now she couldn’t wait to scramble out of my hands and explore.

  A little boy about half Carolina’s size came barreling in from the small closet where he’d been hiding. His mile-wide grin was a twin of his father’s. Layla crouched down to scoop him up before he could escape.

  “Remy, you little rascal. Where have you been hiding?” Layla tickled his ribs and his laughter was ebullient.

  “Here, I’ll take him,” my half sister Madison said and held out her hands. “Maybe Dash can keep him out of trouble. Do you want me to take Caro, too?”

  I gave her a nod and watched as the mini version of Liam helped Remy out into the hallway. I never knew it was possible for my heart to exist outside of my body until our daughter was born.

  “Fat chance,” Ember said once they were gone. “Dash is the reason why he is so much trouble.”

  Layla retrieved the bottle of champagne from the bar and poured two nearly full glasses. “God, isn’t that the truth. The two of them keep me busy.”

  Ember took her glass and sipped heartily. “Wait until you have three. You and Dash couldn’t handle two Remy’s.” she said.

  In response, Layla replaced the champagne without pouring a glass of her own. I frowned at the bottle. “I won’t have to wait long,” Layla said with a small smile as Ember and I began to drink. It felt like old times. Girls’ nights were still frequent, but took a bit of a back seat to families and careers. We stole away any moments we could to hang out sans children.

  It took a moment for realization to dawn. Elation filled me up along with the bubbles from the champagne. I didn’t know it was possible to be so happy.

  “Wait, what?” I blurted.

  “Oh my god,” Ember breathed.

  I shook my head. “You’re kidding.” My tone was almost accusatory. How did I not see it? I should have guessed. She’s been pale and glowing since we showed up at the cabin yesterday. That and Dash was strutting around the place like he was something special.

  Ember lifts her hands in a hold up gesture. “Are you pregnant?”

  Layla’s gaze lifted to mine. “I hope you don’t mind. I meant to wait until after your honeymoon. I don’t want to steal your thunder or anything. On second thought, forget I said anything. I should have waited. I’m such an idiot.”

  I shuffled to Layla’s side and wrapped my arms around her. “You’re not an idiot. There’s no way you could steal my thunder and this only adds to my happiness. Another baby is a blessing.”

  “You’re just saying that.” She punctuated the pitiful whine with a sniffle. “This is terrible timing.”

  “No, I’m not. I mean it. Today isn’t only about Liam and I. It’s about you two as well. You’re what make our lives special. We wouldn’t have made it here without you, after all.”

  She sniffles again. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course she’s sure. If it weren’t for us, she and Liam would still be dancing around each other,” Ember declared.

  “Hey! You’re not supposed to pick on the bride on her wedding day,” I said.

  “It’s not picking if it comes from people who love you. Only you and Liam would take five years to have an actual wedding.” Layla pulled away to give me a once over. “We’ve all been waiting for this for a long time. I just didn’t want to steal your spotlight.”

  “Don’t ever feel like you have to keep happy news from us.”

  “When are you due?” Ember asks, coming to my other side. “Do you have names yet? I think Ember’s nice. I’m just saying.” There’s a shadow in her eyes I can see reflected in the mirror in front of us. For the baby she and Ember lost and would never forget. My hand finds hers and she gives me a small smile. They’ve talked about trying again now that they’re engaged.

  “Early May,” Layla said. “Dash likes Skylar for a girl and Zach for a boy.”

  “Are you crying?” Ember asked incredulously with a lifted eyebrow in my direction.

  “I can’t help it!” One look in the mirror and my tears turn to laughter. “You guys I can’t go down the aisle looking like this.”

  Liam

  “No turning back now,” Tripp drawled from a chair next to the fireplace.

  “There’s been no turning back since the day I met her,” I said, accepting a tumbler of whiskey from Dash. He held Remy upside down in his other hand. For someone who was a bit of a playboy in college, he sure settled down into the family man like it was a role made for him.

  “I know what you mean,” he said and took a seat next to Tripp. They clinked glasses together and I raised mine in a salute before throwing it back.

  The cabin where we were holding the ceremony was full of comfortable but well chosen pieces. It would double as our honeymoon getaway after the reception was over. Two weeks in the mountains of Sweet Creek, North Carolina with my beautiful bride. The same cabin where we honeymooned after our quick courthouse wedding before our daughter was born. Caro was named for the place where we imagined the person she would become.

  Carolina.

  The only person in this world who had the ability to bring me to my knees beside her mother.

  I didn’t think I could love Charlie more until the day she gave birth to Caro. When they handed that baby to me and I looked down in her wailing face, I knew I’d die for them. I’d do anything for them. Nothing had ever felt as right as holding them both in my arms.

  “Ah, shit,” Dash said, breaking me from the memory. “He’s getting sappy. That means enough whiskey for him.”

  Which means Tripp poured us three more and passed them out. “There’s never enough whiskey.”

  “There is if you don’t want Charlie to beat your ass,” Dash said.

  Tripp winced. “Ember would kill me if I did anything to ruin this wedding, so fine. Last one.”

  “Bottoms up,” I said before draining the tumbler.

  When Charlie’s mother, April, who has been acting as a wedding coordinator, gave me the signal I took a deep breath and stepped out onto the aisle. This was it. Even though we’ve been married since before Carolina was born, it doesn’t make the moment any less special. In fact, having Caro walking down the aisle toward me melted my heart like nothing else on this earth. It made it all the more special to have her participate.

  Carolina reached the last couple feet and her eyes met mine. My dad was walking with her and holding Remy, who was the ring bearer. At the last moment, Caro pulled away from his hold and sprinted to me. She threw her arms around my legs and looked up at me.
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  “Daddy marry me!” she exclaimed.

  Laughter rolled in waves over the audience. I picked her up on my hip and she rested her head on my shoulder. I could have put her down, made her stand in her place in line, but this felt natural.

  “How about we marry momma?” I whispered.

  Carolina nodded enthusiastically. The wedding march began to play and the doors opened to reveal Charlie in a simple, but elegant dress. The sight of her stole the breath straight from my chest. She was so beautiful it almost hurt to look at her.

  “Momma pretty,” came a stunned whisper from Carolina.

  “I agree.”

  Around me, the world began to fade. I only had eyes for Charlie. Vaguely, I heard whistles from Dash and Tripp from behind me, but it was drowned out by a buzzing in my ears. She’d been my wife for a while now, but I’d never been more grateful that she was mine. I couldn’t wait to shout it from the rooftops. To show her off to all of our family and friends. We’ve been meaning to do it for so long until I finally told her I wasn’t living another day without celebrating our life together. After the pandemic in 2020 cancelled our first wedding plans, it was about time.

  When she made it to me, I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for her. Pulling her against me, I kissed her deeply, until she was as breathless as me. She blinked up at me, dazed.

  “I don’t think we’re at that part yet,” she said.

  “I couldn’t wait.”

  Caro leaned forward and kissed Charlie’s cheek, too, then beamed at us both. I barely held it together with my arms around my girls as the officiant led us through the ceremony.

  All too soon, it was my turn to say my vows. “I’m not sure there are words to describe how much my wife means to me, but I’m going to do my best.” I pulled out a slip of paper covered in scribbles and if Charlie noticed my hands shake, she didn’t mention it. “Charlie, I’m here today in front of our friends and family to give my vow to you. But one vow would never be enough. Instead, I promise to update our vows as we face life’s challenges together, because love is flexible. I promise to grow with you and to learn with you as we fall more in love each day. I feel like I’ve loved you my whole life and I promise to keep on loving you for the rest of it.”