Free Winter Kisses (A 3:AM Kisses Novella Book 2) by Addison Moore Page B

happily ever after package, and if that means investing in a minivan and a never-ending supply of diapers so be it. With Laney by my side life is going to fade from a black and white world to a brilliant Technicolor surprise.
    “What’s up?” A hard slap lands over my shoulder, and I turn to find Bryson with a goofy grin on his face. “Heard you swept Sawyer off her feet last night.”
    “Good news travels fast.” I nod him into my office, and he follows.
    “Laney sort of left Baya holding the bag—her bag to be exact. So”—he connects his fingers at the tips as we take a seat—“speaking of bags, you bag anything last night? Anyone?”
    “You’re subtle.” I open my laptop before relaxing into my chair. “Does ‘sort of’ count?”
    “Sort of?” He looks amused then it quickly morphs into something shy of pity. “Bummer.”
    “No, definitely not a bummer. We held strong and put our bodies to good use. It’s not that I couldn’t, it’s that I didn’t have the proper equipment to wage war.” I nod into him. “No battle helmet.”
    “Dude.” Bryson pulls his wallet from the back of his jeans, and it looks as if he’s literally pulling it out of his ass. “Make love not war and all that good shit.” He flings a couple of foil packets my way.
    “Thanks.” I snap them up like they’re Halloween candy. “I didn’t know you were packing.”
    “Yeah, well, you never know when you’re going to shoot a few off. Baya keeps me on my toes. You should get one of those industrial sized boxes,” he teases. “The way you and Sawyer used to look at each other, you’re going to need it.”
    “Duly noted, and we will most definitely need it.”
    Bryson nods into me. His expression grows somber, and I think I know where this is headed.
    “So are things going to be different this time around?” The smile slips right off his face. He’s gone from a dick-sock wielding buddy to Laney’s over protective big bro in one easy bound.
    “I’d never hurt her.”
    “I never said you would. How about your family? You think anyone might try to put her heart in the blender and serve it up with some mint leaves on the side?”
    I nod, completely transfixed on some invisible horizon behind him.
    “I’ll talk to my mother. But I don’t think I should wait for the first sign of bullshit to protect Laney. I’m afraid I need to cut my mom out of my life for a while. Maybe for good.” I shake my head at the idea. “I hate it. But last time she went too far, and Laney left me. I can’t go through that again, not for twelve seconds let alone twelve months.”
    “Let her know how you feel. Make sure she realizes how serious you are. I know your mom, Ryder. She’s going to change her tune about Laney if it means losing you.”
    I blow out a breath and thread my hands behind my neck. “You’re right. She means well, but she’s toxic as hell when it comes to my love life. I think I’ll stop by her office and have a little talk.”
    “You need some moral support?”
    “Nope.” I hold up the twin foil packets. “You did your good deed for today.”
    “Rock on, man.” He leans over and throws a knuckle bump my way. “Guard Laney’s heart. She’s a sweet girl. She deserves to be happy, and so do you.”
    “Will do, and thank you. It’s nice to see you smiling these days, too.”
    “I’m just glad Baya’s safe. Any news about the trial?”
    “None that I know of.” My cousin Aubree was arrested last month for trying to kill Baya, and, apparently, there’s strong evidence that suggests she did kill Stephanie Jones, a girl we grew up with. Bryson and Steph were together for a while, right up until she died. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to go through something like that. And I never want to find out. I’d never say it to Bryson, but losing Laney for a year was enough to do me in. I still don’t know how he catches his breath in the morning. I’m glad he found Baya to quell the