If someone had told her two years ago that she would be married and trying to have a baby, she’d have laughed in their face. She’d been totally career driven, and there had been no man on her radar.
Except Gavin, of course. She’d always loved Gavin, but in secret. He’d been the man of her dreams, someone she’d been close to as a client only. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she and Gavin would get together, let alone fall in love and end up married. That’s when her desire for a child—someone who was part of both of them—had started to take hold. She was almost in her midthirties now. If she was ever going to have children, it was time to get going on that. A now or never kind of thing, because she wasn’t getting any younger.
Which was why she wouldn’t let her dream of having a child go up in smoke.
Giving up wasn’t an option. They just needed to have more sex. Gavin was strong and virile, and she was still young enough. She worked out and ate right. There was no reason they couldn’t get pregnant. Gavin was off season right now, which meant he was more available than usual, and that meant more time for sex. Granted, she’d be a more than a little busy with the wedding and holiday planning, but if there was one thing Liz knew how to do, it was make time for sex.
She smiled against the rim of her teacup.
Operation Make A Baby was on.
Chapter Two
Gavin smirked at his soon-to-be brother-in-law while they sat waiting in the tuxedo shop. “So, Tyler, what are your intentions toward my baby sister?”
“I plan to marry the hell out of her, if that’s okay with you.”
Gavin shrugged. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into? She’s kind of a pain in the ass. Moody. Sometimes grouchy as hell.”
“Sounds like that’s how she treats you. She’s great to me.”
Gavin laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“I don’t know,” Mick said. “She’s always liked me.”
“Bullshit. She fought with you as much as she fought with me.”
Mick arched a brow at Gavin. “That’s not the way I remember it. She always ran to me when you were picking on her.”
“No. It was me. She hated both of you and ran to her favorite cousin.”
Gavin laughed at Cole.
“Anderson party?”
“Oooh, we’re a party,” Gavin said, nudging Ty when he stood.
“Not yet,” Ty said. “But as soon as all this tuxedo crap is over with, we’re heading to the bar.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Gavin said.
It took about an hour to pick out the tuxes, though Jenna had already made a couple suggestions, and Ty, not really caring, went with what Jenna wanted. They were all fitted, except for Ty’s two teammates and friends Victor and Eddie, who couldn’t make it. But now that the tuxes had been selected, they could stop in and get their measurements anytime. All Gavin cared about was that his part was done. They were out of there as fast as possible, so they could head to Riley’s bar.
“We’re lucky we could all be together this week,” Mick said. “Fortunately, we’re playing Cole’s team, so I’m actually in town in time for the tux fitting.”
“Yeah, it worked out well,” Ty said.
“We’re going to kick your ass.”
“In your fucking dreams, Cole” Mick said.
“We’ll see, pretty boy. You’re getting kind of old to play football. Shouldn’t you think about moving into the broadcast booth or something? Maybe play stay-at-home dad while Tara makes the big bucks?”
Gavin snorted.
“Hey,” Mick said. “You’re my brother. Shouldn’t you be on my side?”
“I’m on nobody’s side when it comes to family playing family. I’m just going to enjoy the two of you trash-talking each other.”
Cole smirked and leaned back in his chair. When Renee, their waitress came over, she high-fived them all.
“I was wondering when the Riley crew would come in. Beers?”
“I’ll definitely have one,” Tyler said.
Gavin nodded. “Me, too.”
“Soda for me,” Mick said.
“Soda here, too,” Cole said. “Though I could drink ten beers and still kick your ass come game time.”
Gavin rolled his eyes at Ty. “Here we go again.”
Ty laughed. “I wonder if we should take bets on whether they’ll come to blows or not.”
“They won’t. But it’s fun to watch them bullshit each other about whose team is better.”
Ty nodded. “I can’t wait for the game on Sunday. The bar should be packed. Are you gonna go to the game?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. You?”
“Are you kidding? Jenna would kill me if I wasn’t there for the game. It’s a big family day for the Rileys.”
“I think we’re gonna have a lot of big Riley days coming up in the next few weeks,” Mick said.
Ty grinned. “Yeah. Seems that way.”
“Are you excited?” Cole asked.