by Hart, Staci
“You can hold her when they get home and settled in.”
“Pwomise, Daddy? Pwomise!”
He chuckled and kissed her hair. “I promise.”
“Who wants to hold her?” Patrick asked.
Lily pouted. “My hands are full. Maggie, you go first.”
Maggie’s face softened. Pregnancy looked good on her; she was practically glowing. “Oh, well, twist my arm.” She stepped up to Patrick and took her with the ease and grace that I’d learned only parents had. When Stella was firmly cradled in her arms, Maggie whispered to her, taking her little hand in her fingers to unball her fist and press her thumb to the tiny palm.
I caught a whiff of the cupcakes, the sugary carb-loaded sweetness taunting and enticing. Craning my neck for a view of the box, I said, “So … cupcakes?”
Coop laughed and flipped open the box. “I thought we could make a toast. I wanted to bring you whiskey, but Maggie said no.”
Maggie gave him a look coupled with an amused shake of her head.
Cooper set the box on the rolling bed tray and flipped the lid. “Rosie, you get dibs.”
I couldn’t even handle that choice. I needed all of them in my mouth immediately. “Is this one strawberry cake?” Dopamine spiked as I pointed at one with chocolate icing, sprinkled with Fruity Pebbles.
“Yup.”
I’d snagged it the second his mouth formed the affirmative and began unpeeling the paper.
“Come on, guys. You’d better get one before she inhales this and we lose the chance.”
Everyone picked out their cupcakes, including Hazel and Andrew, who stuffed the tops in their mouths without hesitation. And we raised our pastries in unison.
Lily smiled. “To babies and beginnings.”
West chimed in, “To friendships and fumbling through life together.”
Maggie held hers up. “To always having you all to count on.”
Cooper added, “And to sharing all the moments that matter.”
Patrick met my eyes. “To love and happiness.”
And with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, I said, “May we live happily ever after.”
Also by Staci Hart
CONTEMPORARY STANDALONES
Bad Habits
With a Twist (Bad Habits 1)
A ballerina living out her fantasies about her high school crush realizes real love is right in front of her in this slow-burn friends-to-lovers romantic comedy.
Chaser (Bad Habits 2)
He’d trade his entire fortune for a real chance with his best friend’s little sister.
Last Call (Bad Habits 3)
All he’s ever wanted was a second chance, but she’ll resist him at every turn, no matter how much she misses him.
The Austen’s
Wasted Words (Inspired by Emma)
She’s just an adorkable, matchmaking book nerd who could never have a shot with her gorgeous best friend and roommate.
A Thousand Letters (Inspired by Persuasion)
Fate brings them together after seven years for a second chance they never thought they’d have in this lyrical story about love, loss, and moving on.
A Little Too Late (Follow up to A Thousand Letters)
A story of finding love when all seems lost and finding home when you’re far away from everything you’ve known.
Living Out Loud (Inspired by Sense & Sensibility)
Annie wants to live while she can, as fully as she can, not knowing how deeply her heart could break.
The Tonic Series
Tonic (Book 1)
The reality show she’s filming in his tattoo parlor is the last thing he wants, but if he can have her, he’ll be satisfied in this enemies-to-lovers-comedy.
Bad Penny (Book 2)
She knows she’s boy crazy, which is why she follows strict rules, but this hot nerd will do his best to convince her to break every single one.
The Hardcore Serials
Hardcore: Complete Collection
A parkour thief gets herself into trouble when she falls for the man who forces her to choose between right and wrong.
HEARTS AND ARROWS
Greek mythology meets Gossip Girl in a contemporary paranormal series where love is the ultimate game and Aphrodite never loses.
Paper Fools (Book 1)
Shift (Book 2)
What the Heart Wants (Novella 2.5)
From Darkness (Book 3)
Fool’s Gold (Novella 3.5)
SHORT STORIES
Once
Desperate Measures
Nailed
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About the Author
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom to three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey, and her favorite word starts with f, ends with k.
From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north in Denver, until they grew a wild hair and moved to Holland. It’s the perfect place to overdose on cheese and ride bicycles, especially along the canals, and especially in summertime. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, gaming, or designing graphics.
www.stacihartnovels.com
[email protected]