Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“I know.” My mother almost looks like she could cry at any moment. “Honestly, I’d be over the moon if Hartford’s got a bun in the oven.”
We can’t finish our conversation because my brothers, Callum and Shepherd, enter the kitchen. They both kiss our mother on the cheek, glance around the kitchen looking for scraps, and say their hellos.
“How’s the party planning going for the mayor’s thing?” Callum asks me, always all business.
“No, absolutely not,” our mother scolds. “No business talk today.”
Callum rolls his eyes, but continues looking at me, waiting for my response.
“I’m all over it. The party will be amazing. Mayor Reeves is going to get a small article in the local paper about the brewery this week, before the event. I already sent him all the promotional material.”
Shepherd wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite sister?”
“I’m your only sister.”
He steps away from me, grabbing a slice of an apple Mom’s cutting to prepare the apple pie and pops it into his mouth. “Still my favorite.”
I laugh as Hartford and Paxton waltz into the kitchen. After everyone’s said their hellos, Hartford steps up closer to me. “I heard a secret about you,” she sing-songs, and my heart nearly plummets into my stomach.
“Secret?” I ask as Griffin decides at this very moment to walk into the kitchen. “What secret?”
Griffin’s eyes meet mine, and my heart thumps wildly in my chest. “Hey,” he whispers to me first before he gets torn away by Callum and Shep.
I can’t even say hey back, because I return my attention back to Hartford. “What secret?”
“I heard somebody’s making a name for herself as the head party planner at Atta Boy.”
A sense of relief washes over me. Phew. I can breathe.
“Oh, right,” I say, trying my best to smile. “Yes.”
“Is the party in here?” Lake says, holding Willow’s hand.
After everyone has said hello, and a few of the people, Griffin included, have left the kitchen, I’m left standing with my mother, Willow, and Hartford.
“Wonder when Millie’s coming?” Hartford says, checking the time on her phone. “I can’t believe her and Brock just started dating.”
“I don’t think they’re technically dating. I think Brock is using the words, ‘seeing each other’,” I say, using air-quotes.
Tripp walks into the kitchen, and spots that it’s just us girls in here and immediately walks right back out.
“What was all that about?” Hartford asks.
“Something’s going on with him. He’s been super grumpy lately. More than usual.” I finish the carrots and hand them off to my mother.
“You know,” Hartford starts. “Shep has been extra grumpy too. Ever since he’s been home.”
“Really?” my mother and I say in unison.
Willow chimes in with, “Maybe they’ve both got girl troubles.”
Hartford leans her hip against the counter. “Paxton did say Shepherd hooked up with his neighbor over Christmas.” Hartford glances at my mother whose face has fallen flat. “Sorry, Carol. You know what I mean.”
We all laugh, minus my mother. My mother nearly swats her hand in the air. “I don’t pretend to think my men aren’t out being men.”
Hartford’s eyes go wide, and her cheeks blush. “Not Paxton,” she says in a rush, and we all laugh harder, even my mother this time. “Seriously, we’re abstaining from sexual…” her words fall away as she appears she’s making the conversation worse.
“We all know you have sex,” I say. “We read your article.”
“Anya,” Hartford nearly yells at the top of her lungs. “Oh god,” she covers her face, “I can’t believe you just said that around your mother.” She faces my mother. “Carol, I’m sorry.”
Mom only laughs harder. “Girls, as much as I’ve enjoyed this, get out of my kitchen.”
Hartford spins on her heels quickly. “Gladly.”
“I haven’t talked to you in forever,” Willow grabs my arm as we walk out of the kitchen and onto the back patio where everyone is sitting. “I’m sorry I’ve been so absent. Things with Lake are going really well.”
I stop walking so I can hug my best friend. “I’m really happy for you. Lake is a great guy. Paxton wouldn’t be friends with him if he wasn’t.”
“Your brothers are good judges of characters, especially Cal.” She nods over at Griffin. “Griffin is a great guy too.”
I’m nearly spilling over from trying to keep this secret. I whisper, “Actually, can you keep a secret?”
“Always.”
“Something’s kind of happened with him.”
Willow screams at the top of her lungs, and everyone stops to stare at her. “Sorry,” she says with a blush. She grabs my arm, pushing past Brock and Millie who have just shown up to the party. “Tell me all the things,” she says as we stand in the laundry room.
“Well.” My cheeks flame hot. “I mean…” I can’t get the words out.
“Is he a good kisser? Have you had sex?” Her eyes widen. “Oh my god, he’s a stallion in the bedroom.”