It pierces through my heart like a rusty arrow. “Ryland wouldn’t do that to you.”

He ducks his head, his expression sobering. “Yeah, I know.”

“And I won’t either,” I add, wanting him to know that. “I’ll never leave you. You’ll always be my best friend.” Wrapping my arms around his neck, I reinforce that promise with a hug.

“Thanks, Elle,” he murmurs, returning my embrace, the warmth of our friendship held within.

An idea quickly forms, prompting me to pull back. “Do you have your pocketknife on you?”

His brows furrow in confusion. “Yeah, why?”

“Let me see it,” I request, holding out my hand.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls it out, handing it to me.

Taking the knife, I flip it open. “Let’s make a pact. No matter where we go in our lives, or who we end up with, we will stay best friends forever. Deal?”

Another smile lights up his face. “Deal.”

Taking the knife, I press the blade against my palm, wincing slightly at the sting before passing it over to Gunnar. He follows suit, carving a solemn cut into his own.

Then, hand in hand, we seal our friendship with a shared promise, our bond unbreakable, our hearts intertwined for an eternity.

A promise I will uphold forever.

Gunnar

Present Day

The pungent smell of oil penetrates my senses as I work under the hood of Mrs. Carlson’s Buick.

The clanging of tools and steady rhythm of classic rock serves as a backdrop to the banter behind me, where James animatedly recounts his weekend escapade with the stripper he met at a friend’s bachelor party.

“You’re so full of shit,” Mitch says, clearly skeptical of the story he’s being told.

“Am not,” the young apprentice bristles. “I’m seeing her again next weekend. She’s taking me out for my birthday.”

Gavin grunts doubtfully. “Where? Toys “R” Us?”

Laughter erupts behind me, blending with my own quiet chuckle as I tighten a bolt.

“Screw you guys,” James retorts. “You’re all just jealous because you aren’t getting any.”

Little do they know, I’m getting laid more than all three of them put together, and it’s better than any encounter with a stripper because it’s been with Elle, and there’s simply no comparison when it comes to what we share.

Weeks have passed since we crossed the point of no return, and while we haven’t been keeping it a secret, we also haven’t shouted it from the rooftops. I figure people will find out when they do. Right now, I’m just living in the moment, enjoying the ride, and what a ride it’s been. The kind that makes me want to kick myself for not making this move sooner.

No pregnancy has happened yet, which is a bit disappointing, but it’s only made us more determined.

Elle even bought one of those ovulation kits to track when she’s most fertile, something I personally don’t feel is necessary since we fuck every day.

It’s actually become the best part of my daily routine: finish work, head to Elle’s, fuck. Eat dinner, fuck again. Take Bear for a walk, then hit the sack for round three. Rinse and repeat.

I’ve decided if this is how life’s going to be from here on out, I’m going to die a very happy man.

A vibration in my pocket pulls me from my thoughts. Digging out my phone, I see it’s a text from Maxine. A frequent visitor from down East who travels here for work from time to time.

Max:I’m in town next month for a conference. Let’s set something up. It’s been too long since I’ve felt you…

A message like this used to fill me with anticipation, now it does absolutely nothing.

It was a good setup at the time. Sex with no strings attached. I didn’t have to worry about her wanting more since she doesn’t live here, and I never had to worry about it interrupting my time with Elle.

She was the perfect scratch to an itch, but now there is only one woman who can satisfy that itch, and it’s the same girl who has always filled the void.

My one constant since I was eight years old.

Closing out the message with a flick of my thumb, I tuck the phone back into my pocket and refocus on the task at hand. Just as I sink back into the rhythm of work, Elle comes storming into the garage like a force of nature.

Her abrupt entrance is a welcomed surprise, and I quickly find myself captivated by the sundress she wears—something she’s been doing more often lately. The dress clings to her slim figure in all the right places, teasing the tops of her slender legs, reminding me of how they feel wrapped around my waist when I’m fucking her senseless.

The thought has my cock hardening on the spot.

“Hey, Ellie!” All the guys greet her with their usual enthusiasm, probably hoping she brought them food.

Greedy bastards.

“Hey,” she returns breathlessly, sounding like she just ran a mile to get here. “Where’s Gunnar?”

Mitch points over her shoulder to where I stand in the far back corner.

She whirls around, her eyes locking with mine before she strides forward, each step charged with purpose.

A flicker of concern rises within me. “Hey …”

“Sorry to interrupt,” she rushes out, ignoring my greeting.

“It’s fine,” I assure her. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, but umm …” Pausing, she looks behind her to find all the guys watching and listening.

They quickly busy themselves, pretending to work.

She doesn’t fall for it and leans in closer, keeping her voice low. “I just took the test and it’s saying now.”

I frown, momentarily confused until I remember the ovulation kit. “Wait, right now as in right this second?” I repeat, finally catching up.