Page 261 of Red Marked

He stares at the phone.

“I’m glad you answered that,” I say, smiling.

“Me too. Shit.” He pushes it into his pocket and takes my face in both hands. “I love you, Star. Will you come to Draig Island with me, and um…I don’t know, will you do life with me? All of it? This isn’t how I planned this.”

“Yes. To all of the above.” My eyes are stinging. “I’ve been miserable too. Even though coming home has been the happiest time of my life.”

He kisses me. It’s short and intense.

“Let’s go.”

“I’d better let my family know.”

We turn toward the house, and my parents and brother are watching us through the window. They quickly drop the drapes when they see us.

I look at Flint, and we both laugh.

72

Flint

Star and I jog through the hospital. We’re following the directions we received to get to the maternity ward. Ridge is on his feet before I’ve made it through the door to the waiting area.

It’s been way too long.

I grin as soon as I see him and Robyn. He gets an arm around my neck and thumps my back hard, and I do the same to him.

“About time,” he says into my ear. His voice is gruff.

“I know.” I pull back and look at him. He looks tired. “I’m sorry. It’s been pretty busy.”

“Magma filled me in.”

Then Robyn has me. She squeezes me hard around the middle and doesn’t let go for a while.

“Look at you,” she says when she does. “Actually here and in the flesh. It’s good to see you.”

“It feels good to be back.” I mean it. I turn and hold my hand out, and Star steps up beside me and takes it. “This is Star. Star, this is Ridge, and this is Robyn. They’re family. Star is my girlfriend.”

It feels damned good to say it.

Robyn’s whole face changes. She looks at me, then at Star, then back at me. Then she has Star by both hands. “Oh, I have heard all about you. Not just from Magma but from Koa too. It’s so good to meet you.”

“You too,” Star says. “I’ve heard a lot about you too.”

They pull away, smiling.

Ridge shakes Star’s hand and nods once. “It’s good to meet the female who finally tamed Flint.”

“Don’t, Ridge.” Robyn elbows him, her eyes wide.

Star laughs, and I smile.

“How’s Carla?” I ask.

“We’re waiting to hear.” Robyn sits and rubs her eyes. “Last I heard, they’d taken her through to surgery. They’re performing a cesarean, which is completely normal with twins this early. They don’t take chances.”

“How early are we talking? Are the babies going to be okay?”