Page 91 of After You Returned

“I still can’t believe your big brother insisted Paisley brew beer at the distillery. Those two hated each other.”

“And yet they’re now living together and have a baby.”

It gives me hope. If Paisley could forgive Eli for being a jerk in high school, maybe Hazel can forgive me for how I treated her.

“Speaking of Eli.” Hazel points to my big brother and his fiancée.

I groan. “I was hoping to have a night without my family.”

“Why?” She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you embarrassed of me?”

I throw an arm over her shoulders. “More worried about how much they’re going to embarrass me.”

She rubs her hands together. “This sounds promising. Do you think he’ll tell embarrassing baby stories about you?”

“No one can stop us!” Rhett shouts as he escorts Dakota into the restaurant.

“I was already looking forward to tonight, but this is going to be even better than I expected.”

Hazel gazes up at me with a smile on her pretty pink lips and a twinkle in her green eyes. Happiness practically radiates from her. If my being embarrassed by my brothers makes her this happy, my brothers can have at it.

I’ll do anything to make my woman happy. She deserves all the happiness in the world after how I’ve treated her over the past years. But those days are over.

Addy groans when we enter the restaurant. “Are all of the Raider brothers coming tonight?”

I shrug. “No idea.”

She surveys the map of tables. “Okay. I’ll separate you. No Raider next to another Raider.”

Hazel laughs. “Because separating the brothers worked so well at school.”

“I’m doing the best I can here.” Addy grabs two menus and leads us to our table right in front of the stage.

Once we’re alone, Hazel leans across the table. “How much cash did you slip her to get us the best seat in the house?”

“None.”

She raises an eyebrow and I can’t lie to her. I want her to know I’ll always tell her the truth. No matter how bad it makes me look.

“I promised her a discount on her next purchase from the distillery.”

“Good thing you’re the sales manager.”

I open my mouth to make a derogatory comment about my job but close it again when I realize my job isn’t as bad as Ithought it was. Especially since I’ve got several trips lined up. Huh. Never thought I’d appreciate my job.

Chloe, the manager of the restaurant, jumps on the stage. “Good evening, smugglers and mermaids!” The crowd erupts in cheers. She waits until everyone settles down. “Are you ready for theFoam & Fable Storytelling Night?”

The crowd goes completely nuts – stomping their feet, whistling, clapping, and shouting. Typical smuggler behavior.

“Our first storytelling smuggler is the one, the only, Eli Raider!”

Eli swaggers past our table. He winks at me. Shit. He’s definitely telling an embarrassing story about me. Good thing Hazel knows most of my embarrassing past. Because she was right there beside me.

Hazel reaches across the table and grasps my hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll stand by your side.”

My chest warms. This is what I want. I want Hazel to stand by my side forever. Through marriage and children and career changes. Through all the hard shit life will throw at us.

I lean over the table to kiss her. “Thank you,” I murmur against her lips.