Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Same.” I brace his face between my hands, my wounded heart healing and feeling so much love for him it staggers me. “It’s overwhelming and big, and I’ve never been jealous a day in my life, Drew.”
“I guess there’s a first time for everything.” He kisses my forehead. “But you never have to worry or wonder what I’m feeling. I love you. It’s as simple and as terrifying as that.”
I can’t help but chuckle at that because that’s exactly how it feels.
Completely terrifying.
“What do you mean, you’re not leaving with us?” Stella, her hands on her hips, stares at Erin in shock and dismay. “Of course, you’re coming home. You don’t live here.”
“I do now,” Erin replies and smiles bravely. “I’m so happy here, you guys. I love it, and I think that this is where I’m supposed to put down roots and make my home. I don’t enjoy the city. I don’t have stuff figured out there like all of you do.”
Hudson shakes his head and then hurries over and scoops Erin into his arms, hugging her tightly.
“What are we supposed to do without you?” he asks, obviously perilously close to tears. “You’re my best friend, E. You can’t just leave me.”
“Dude,” she says as she pulls back and pats Hudson’s cheek. “I’m just in Montana, not Egypt or something. We’ll have visits. I have a phone. It’s going to be okay.”
“Your dad is going to kill us all,” Vaughn says thoughtfully. “You’ll be responsible for a mass homicide.”
“He won’t do that,” Erin says with a laugh and then turns to her sister. Zoey’s not crying or showing any kind of emotion at all. “Love you.”
“Right.” Zoey turns on her heel and walks up the stairs, into the plane, and Erin winces.
“She’s hurt,” Olivia says, walking over to hug Erin. “So I’ll hug you twice, once for her. You make sure you call us all the time, and if you ever need anything at all, we’re only a phone call away. Seriously, anything.”
“I know. Thank you.”
Everyone takes turns hugging Erin, murmuring words of encouragement and wisdom, before we all climb onto the plane to head home. Erin’s eyes shine with unshed tears as she watches us all through the windows. She waves and steps back, walking to the edge of the tarmac, and she waits there until the plane takes off, smiling and waving.
“What is she thinking?” Liam asks. “And how did we just leave her here?”
“She’s an adult,” Stella says with a sigh, watching out the window with worried eyes. “But man, am I going to miss her.”
“We had s’mores every night,” Caleb says, bouncing on his toes with eagerness to tell me everything that’s happened while we were gone. “Old Caleb made a big fire in the backyard, and Brynna bought all the stuff, and we ate a ton of them.”
“The kid can pack the food away,” Drew’s dad says with a grin.
“Thank you so much.” I hug my son to my side as I thank Drew’s parents profusely. “Are you sure you won’t let me pay you?”
“Absolutely not,” Brynna says, shaking her head. “It was our pleasure. Maybe we can do it again really soon.”
“Next weekend!” Caleb exclaims, obviously ready to spend more time with the older couple.
“Sometime,” I agree with a wink for my kid. “Have you thanked them?”
“More than once,” Brynna confirms. “He’s quite the little gentleman.”
“Well, we brought you a gift,” Drew says as he runs back down to the car to fetch the painting.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Old Caleb says, shaking his head. “It was fun to have a partner in crime around for a few days.”
Drew returns with the painting, covered with brown paper, and Brynna unwraps it, then gasps in excitement.
“Oh, this is beautiful. Is it this pretty in person up there?”
“As lovely as this painting is, I’d say it’s prettier in real life.” I nod when Brynna looks at me in surprise. “You’ll have to go sometime.”
“I think you’re right,” Old Caleb says, and looks down at his wife. “Maybe for our anniversary.”
“We should all go next time,” my Caleb adds. “It’s only fair.”
“We’ll talk about that,” I reply.
“That means no,” Caleb says with a sigh. “Thanks, guys. It was fun!”
And with that, he takes off for the car, making me wince.
“Clearly, we need to work on some manners.”
“Not at all,” Brynna assures me and pulls me in for a hug. “He’s great. It’s late, and he wants to get home. I can’t blame him.”
She pulls back and opens her arms for her son.
“London, I’d like to get together for lunch sometime so you can tell me more about your trip.”
“I’d love that. I’ll check my calendar and give you a call.”
“Perfect.” Brynna takes her husband’s hand in hers. “Have a good night, you two.”
“Thank you,” Drew says again, and a few moments later, we’re back in the car and headed toward home.