Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 131916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
She knocked her shoulder into mine, slanting me a big grin, prodding me for details.
“No,” I murmured what I hoped she didn’t know was a blatant lie. “Of course not.”
She tightened her hold on my elbow as she giggled. “Good call, bestie. He’s not exactly the type to stick around for morning cuddles, if you know what I mean. And I wouldn’t want to have to kick his ass for breaking your heart.”
It was all a ramble and a tease while my chest suddenly felt heavy.
I wanted to ask her so many things. Where Nolan’s mother was. If he saw her. If they’d been together or had even been married.
No doubt, it was a bad sign that jealousy clutched my spirit at just the thought of it, and I knew I should try to put some distance between these two guys who’d taken possession of nearly every thought.
Still, I picked up the stuffed puppy and paid the vendor.
Raven’s voice was gentle as we walked away from the booth, though her tone had gone almost questioning. “That is really nice of you.”
“Maybe this will remind him he doesn’t need to be scared of going to the doctor in the future.” I shrugged like it didn’t matter. Like that had even been close to what I’d been thinking when I’d seen it.
“Except now he’s going to think he needs a gift every time he falls and scrapes his knee, but I pretty much do, too, so he can’t be blamed. He is basically his auntie.”
She was all soft teases before she tugged my arm. “Come on, let’s get back. I’m starving.”
She drew it out, groaning toward the twilit sky.
I sent her a look. I wasn’t sure how that was possible since she’d sampled about every treat we’d walked by.
She laughed. “What? This girl likes her food.”
By the time we made it back to the big tent where we’d left her family, they were standing, and Nolan came bounding our way. “It’s time for dinner, Auntie and Miss Charleigh! I just got to go on the jumping castle and now my belly is all the way empty, and my dad said I can get a special treat if I eat all my food. Hey, what’s that you got?”
He hadn’t paused for a breath before his big blue eyes went wide when he saw the stuffed animal.
Kneeling in front of him, I held it out between us. “I thought you might like it.”
“Is it for me?” he squealed, his little shoulders popping up to his ears as he threaded his tiny fingers together and brought them to his chin.
“It is.”
“Really? Thank you, Miss Charleigh!”
He didn’t take the puppy. Instead, he threw his little arms around my neck.
A surprised gasp rushed out of my lungs. Grief clutched then unfurled inside me, though it whispered differently as I curled my arms around him. His warmth was a balm that spread through my being.
Hugging him tight, I inhaled the sweet bubblegum scent of his hair.
“You are really the nicest because I really wanted a puppy, but my dad said I gotta wait for a real one, so it’s really good I got this one,” he gushed.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Jumping back, Nolan grabbed the stuffed animal from my hand and twirled it around. “Like it? I love it, and his name is gonna be Lucky!”
He turned without saying anything else, and he ran back toward the group who’d gathered at the back of the tent with the stuffed animal lifted over his head. “Dad, Dad! Look it! Miss Charleigh got me a puppy!”
That unfathomable gaze found me, spearing me to the spot, making my heart race.
Erratic and thready.
I didn’t know how long I stood there, just staring at him as he stared at me, before Raven leaned in and muttered in my ear, “Not hot and bothered, my ass.”
Twenty minutes later, we were all sitting at a picnic table on the lawn closer to the lake. The night grew thicker with each minute that passed.
I’d tried to leave, but Nolan had begged me to stay to eat with them, and there was no chance that I could say no.
So, there I was with a plate of street tacos in front of me, tucked between Nolan and Raven.
The man who trembled the air with every move he made sat directly across from me, spinning my world into disorder.
“Here we go,” Kane called as he sauntered up, setting plastic cups brimming with margaritas in front of me and Raven.
“Ugh, you are a godsend, Kane. What would we do without you?” Raven teased.
“Cry.” He touched his chest.
“For joy,” Otto called, grinning from where he was eating an oversized piece of pizza at the other end of the table.
They’d all been giving each other crap nonstop since I sat down, though I could tell it was done in good fun, the group obviously close.