A Carpino Collection, page 98
“I’m going to need another shower. You made me sweaty,” she says against the skin of my neck where she marked me. I’m gonna take shit for that at The Shed, but at least she knows better than to do that during the school year. I can’t teach calculus with a love bite and I’d rather wrestle gators in hell before ever wearing a turtleneck.
Still coming down, I don’t let go of her. “Told you we were going to be late.”
“Cam—”
“Shh,” I hush and don’t allow her to move. “Let’s call in sick. Your family can do without us for one hoopla. Your parents can drop the kids off after.”
She sighs. “There’s no calling in sick to Lizzie Carpino.”
I press into her one more time and groan, dragging my eyes open because I know she’s right. There’s no reason to take on the Carpinos when food is invol—
I freeze.
“Darlin’?”
“I’m sorry. If it were at my parents’ house I’d cancel, but Leigh is cooking and—”
“Baby,” I interrupt. All of a sudden, nothing matters besides the inanimate object on the counter that might as well be alive because it’s screaming from the hilltops. Before, I was so wrapped up in Paige, I couldn’t see anything but her. I turn and press my lips to her head. “You have something you need to tell me?”
Her fingers press into my lats that are as taut as the rest of me.
“Cam,” she whispers and I can feel it everywhere as something new grows inside me instantly. Something big and something I didn’t know my already exploding heart had room for.
I stare down at the stick that says one word, but might as well be a million. “I knocked you up again?”
She pulls back from me and those big brown eyes I plan on looking into until the end of my days are glassy. So similar to the last time she told me she was pregnant. Only this time, her tears aren’t from worry. This time, they’re happy, full of nothing but pure fucking joy.
She nods and her voice is low and rough. “I took the test before you got home. I thought I might be but wanted to make sure before I said anything.”
Threading my hand into her messy hair that’s starting to dry in a way she’s gonna bitch about later, I take her mouth. When we finally come up for air, I tip my forehead to hers. “How do you do it?”
Happy tears drip down her face to my hand that’s cupping her cheek. “Well, I did have your help. It wasn’t immaculate.”
I shake my head and kiss the smartass off her face. “No. How do you keep making life sweeter?”
She wraps her arms around me and presses into my chest. “In your words, we pulled the goalie, so we shouldn’t be surprised. But four kids is a lot. Are you happy?”
Putting my fingers to her chin, I lift her beautiful face to mine and make sure I have her full and undivided attention. “Never happier, Paige Montgomery. Never in my life have I been this happy.”
I see it in her eyes—she doesn’t need to say it but she does anyway. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
“Baby.” I wrap her up. “There’s no way you’re getting dressed. We’re calling in sick.”
This time I don’t get an argument, just her laugh that settles into my chest.
Making life perfect.
Paige’s Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Spiced and Iced Cookies
2 ¼ c. flour
1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 15oz. can solid pack pumpkin
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. cinnamon chips
1 c. white chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional, I don’t use them)
Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until creamy. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop by rounded table spoons onto baking sheets.
Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack and drizzle with glaze.
Vanilla Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1 ½ Tbsp. milk (maybe a little extra)
½ tsp. vanilla
Mix above well and lightly drizzle over cookies.
Notes: I always double the recipe, they freeze well. I also refrigerate mixture between batches and make the cookies rather big and bake on my convection setting for 16 minutes. Enjoy!
Double Broccoli
This one is easy!
Broccoli
A crap-ton of minced garlic
Olive oil
Sea salt
Mix on your favorite baking sheet that’s seen better days and make sure to get your hands messy.
Bake at 450° for 8 min. Flip that shit around, stir, mix. Put it back in for 5 min until it starts to blacken around the edges.
Dump into a pretty bowl and top with parmesan goodness. The more the better.
Make double, it’s that good, hence the name Double Broccoli. Pair with any wine, even better.
Athica Lane Play List
Because Paige loves her music, I thought I’d share some songs that inspired me while giving Cam and Paige the happily ever after they so deserve. I hope you enjoy it and think of Athica Lane when you hear them. I do.
Download the Athica Lane Spotify Playlist here.
Smoke – A Thousand Horses
Lay Your Hands On Me – Bon Jovi
Stereo Hearts (feat Adam Levine) – Gym Class Heroes
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Say Something – A Great Big World
The One That Got Away – The Civil Wars
Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin**
Won’t Go Home Without You – Maroon 5
Sail - AWOLNATION
Love Is Your Name – Steven Tyler
Come to Me – The Goo Goo Dolls
**There’s an iTunes Session of Piece of My Heart by Train. I prefer anything by Train, but I had to give creds to Janis Joplin.
Other Books by Brynne Asher
The Carpino Series
The Carpino Series
Overflow – The Carpino Series, Book 1
Beautiful Life – The Carpino Series, Book 2
Athica Lane – The Carpino Series, Book 3
Until Avery – A Carpino Series Crossover Novella
Killers Series
Vines – A Killers Novel, Book 1
Paths – A Killers Novel, Book 2
Gifts – A Killers Novel, Book 3
Until the Tequila – A Killers Crossover Novella
The Montgomery Series
Bad Situation – The Montgomery Series, Book 1
Broken Halo – The Montgomery Series, Book 2
Standalones
Blackburn
About the Author
Brynne Asher grew up in the Midwest and now lives with her husband, three children, and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she’s running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys cooking, decorating, and shopping, always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World” ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.
Asher, Brynne, A Carpino Collection
