Mr. Swoony (The Nest, #3)

by Piper Rayne

I’ve always thought there was a correlation between how a friend treats a friend and how they treat their significant other. I bet she loves them with all her heart and cares for them more than herself.

I’d never want my girlfriend, fiancée, or wife to feel that way about me, and I pray whoever I decide to marry, if I ever do, knows that I’m her sidekick in whatever crazy thing she wants to do.

“I’m not. But I’d be lying if I told you anything other than the more time I spend with you tonight, the more I wish I had met you first.”

“I meant what I said. I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I don’t want to say good night. I want to talk to you all night and learn more about you, even though it somehow feels like I’ve known you for years. I’ve never felt this before, and I’m trying to navigate these new feelings, but I feel lost in the middle of the woods without a compass.”

“Go watch the sunrise with Tristan. Fight for the relationship you want, Eloise. Expect more from him and leave him if he can’t put you first. I’m not saying leave him for me but find someone who will love you how you deserve.”

not a good-natured one. In fact, it comes off as patronizing.

Is this what a white knight feels like? Because I feel badass.

The officiant asks whether anyone objects to this union, and I open my mouth to put an end to this, but the church doors burst open. Everyone turns in the direction of light pouring in at the end of the aisle. Conor. He bends over and heaves for breath before raising his hand. He searches me out, and when our eyes lock, a smile creeps up his lips, wrapping around his face as though I’m his sunshine after a destructive storm. “I object!”

Her eyes soften, and there she is. I get a glimpse of my Eloise. Then her eyes narrow, she lifts the skirt of her dress, walks down the steps, and grabs my hand. “Come with me.” She pulls me down the aisle and out the doors. This isn’t exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

Tristan stomps toward us and raises his fist, but when Conor ducks, Tristan’s punch lands on Kyleigh’s cheek. “You’re a dead man!” Rowan tackles Tristan.

“But I’m not really single.” “Yes, you are.” She shakes her head at me. “I’m taken. I’m just not dating her yet.”

So, I don’t want to be your rebound guy. I want to be your guy, period.”

“I want the job. I want to be the one to calm your fears, to empower you, to be the one you seek out to find refuge.”

I lean my shoulder on the doorframe and wiggle the body lotion in the air. “You forgot the next step. You have to lotion me.” He tosses the phone on his bed and grabs the bottle from me. “Welcome to the Nilsen massage parlor, where we guarantee a happy ending with every massage.”