Etti

The next few weeks flew by. Etti and Grey spent their days settling in at their new place, which Grey had turned into an adorable little studio apartment. He was ridiculously handy and Etti couldn’t resist him when he walked around in nothing but jeans and a tool belt. Her sexual appetite was growing faster than her belly and Grey was only too happy to satisfy her.

He was just finishing putting up a ceiling fan in the nursery when Etti walked in to find him sweaty and shirtless. She gave a low whistle. “I didn’t know I was marrying an HGTV star.”

Grey grinned. “Hey, babe. You’re home early.” He climbed down the ladder and pulled Etti into a hug. He kissed her, then her belly.

She loved how affectionate he was with her lately.

Etti was finally starting to trust that their relationship was on solid ground. It was amazing how far they’d come now that no one was trying to kill them or keep them apart. She never thought she could find this kind of happiness, and now that she had, she never wanted to let go. Etti pulled Grey back to her and kissed him again. “I love you,” she murmured onto his lips.

“I love you too, babe.” He pulled back to look at her. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you.”

Grey’s smile threatened to crack Etti’s heart wide open. She was an emotional train wreck these days—her hormones always a moment away from pushing tears to the surface for no reason.

“I wanted to surprise you and have the nursery done before you got home today,” Grey added. “What do ya think?”

Etti looked around the room in wonder. She’d been so fixated on her mate’s sexy body that she didn’t even look at the room they were in. When Etti left for work that morning, there’d been nothing. Now, there was a white crib, changing table and rocking chair set up.

“Where did all of this come from?” she asked.

“My mom,” Wes replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “She may have gone a bit overboard, but—”

“Are you kidding? This is awesome! Everything matches and it’s all brand new,” Etti said looking at the tags.

“So you like it? I left all the tags on so we could exchange it if you want something different.”

“Grey, I love it!”

Grey sighed, his shoulders relaxing. “Oh, thank God.”

Etti frowned. “I’ve been acting like a hormonal she-bitch, haven’t I?”

Grey bit his lip and held his fingers up indicating a tincy-wincy bit.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to, but wedding details and work have been exhausting me. Not to mention this little one doesn’t let me get any sleep,” Etti said patting her round belly. “Just call me out on it when I’m being moody.”

“Yeah right! I’m rather attached to my balls, babe.”

“I’m not gonna take your balls off!”

“Really? Has Wes found his since you told him off?”

“You are not Wes!”

“I’ll take that as a no. Is that why you’re home early?”

Etti nodded. She purposely made the schedule so she and Wes weren’t on at the same time. Marc said their tension was making the customers feel awkward. But business had really picked up lately so Wes had been coming in early this week to help out.

Grey shook his head. “Babe, he’s your best friend. Don’t you think it’s time you make up with him already?”

“How can you say that? The whole reason Wes is being an ass is because he thinks you’re not good enough for me.”

“So? He wants the best for you. I get it.”

“He doesn’t get to decide that, Grey. I do.”

“I know, babe. But I just want to see you happy. You’re getting married and having a baby. These are two of the biggest things you’re ever gonna go through. We’ve already excluded your parents. And now your best friend?”

Etti’s temper flared as her wolf protectively snarled at the mention of her parents. Her voice was low as she addressed Grey. “I’m not changing my mind about my parents. You know we can’t trust them. They tried to kill me. I’m not letting them anywhere near my baby.”

“I know that, Etti. And I agree with you where your parents are concerned. But Wes is your best friend. I don’t want you to regret not having him be a part of this.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Talk to him, Etti. Work out whatever this problem is.”

“I know what his problem is. He’s an overgrown six-year-old and I’m not apologizing to his jealous, nosy, overbearing ass!”

“Etti . . .” Grey gave her a warning glare and she shot one right back. “If you won’t do it for me or yourself, do it for the baby,” Grey pleaded. “This feud between you and Wes is adding way too much stress to your life. I won’t risk it, Etti. Nothing is more important to me than my girls. Now go make up with that overgrown six-year-old.”

Etti hated when Grey used the baby like that. She couldn’t say no now. She gritted her teeth but nodded. “Fine.” She squared her shoulders and marched toward the door, ready to go back downstairs and try to make amends with Wes.

“Where are you going?” Grey called after her.

“To talk to Wes, like you just told me to.”

Grey caught up to her and took her hands. “Oh no, ya don’t. Not like this. I can feel the tension pulsing off of you. I want you to bury the hatchet with Wes, not bury it in him.”

Etti threw her hands up. “Well what do you want me to do? I’m willing to talk to him, but I can’t help that I’m still pissed.”

Grey tugged her down the hall toward their bedroom. “I have a few ideas that might help relax you a little,” he said giving her a seductive glance that made her toes curl. “That is . . . if you’re feeling up to it.”

Etti’s clothes were off before she even took another step. That was all the answer Grey needed. He scooped her up, making her giggle, as he pretended to strain under her new weight. Grey carried Etti into the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes and laughter in their wake.