Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Come on now,” I say, fighting the smile that wants to break through. I’ve heard this story a million times. “It wasn’t that fast.” Even as I say the words, I know they’re not true. The story hasn’t changed, not once over the years.
“I knew he was going to be important in my life.”
“And I knew she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen,” Dad chimes in with the same line I’ve heard countless times.
“It doesn’t work like that for everyone. Look at Roman and Emerson. They fought hard to be together, fought against it, and then for it. It’s not always that easy.”
“Oh, it wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. My parents didn’t approve and did everything in their power to keep us apart. Our hearts had other plans.”
“You sound like a Hallmark movie.”
“Oh, we should call them up, see if we can sell them our story,” Dad jokes. “How much do you think we can make off that? Maybe we can remodel the kitchen and buy that new bass boat,” he rambles on.
“Har har.” I shake my head but smile despite the anger I harbor against my grandmother. I’d never met the woman, yet she still managed to insert herself into my life and strike up an anger deep in my gut all the way from her grave.
“Just keep an open mind. Life has a way of surprising you.”
“Yeah, okay,” I agree because I don’t want to argue with her.
I spend a little more time with them before leaving. The plan was to head home, but I see a text from Roman telling me that everyone is invited to their place for leftovers. They had a small wedding but enough food to feed an army. Time with the guys—and well, now girls, if you count Emerson and her best friend, Monroe—is exactly what I need.
CHAPTER
TWO
Monroe
Sleepovers just aren’t the same. Spending the night at my best friend’s house doesn’t quite look like it used to. Emerson insisted I stay over last night, but it was their wedding night, so we compromised that I would stay in what we declared to be my room at Forrest’s place.
Forrest has always been a big brother to me. A hot-as-hell big brother, but there is nothing romantic there. Sure, I like to flirt and tease him because I love to see him get all riled up. I don’t see him that way. His friends, on the other hand, that’s a completely different story. All five guys turn heads and drop panties wherever they go. Forrest is my brother. Not by blood, but in my heart. Roman, well, he’s always been Emerson’s. Those two, I saw the longing between them way before they gave into temptation. I couldn’t be happier for them.
That leaves Lachlan, Maddox, and Legend. All are fine as hell, all great guys. I flirt with them without mercy every chance I get. Not because I think I have a chance with any of them, but because it’s fun. The banter and flirting with them is safe, and for me, that’s important. They know I’m teasing, and in turn, I don’t have to worry about them getting handsy or trying to take advantage of me. Not that I would mind any of the three getting handsy, but you know what I mean. They don’t take our banter as a green flag to take what they want. I’ve heard some horror stories, and after my last breakup with douchebag Henry, let’s just say, safe is important.
Henry was one of those guys who liked to present one way but was someone altogether different behind closed doors. He was a fraud, and a fake, and had a mean streak a mile long. Thankfully, I ended things before they escalated too far. He wanted things he didn’t earn, things I wasn’t ready to give him. He still corners me if he sees me out somewhere, but thankfully, my best friend is having a baby, and we’ve been hanging out at her place, or Forrest’s, since we’ve been back home. Not that we went out a lot before. We pretty much always ended up hanging out with Forrest and the guys because Emerson was smitten with Roman.
Everything worked out like it was supposed to. In my heart, I know those two are meant to be together, and I have no doubt they will go the distance. They fought hard to be where they are, and I’m thrilled to watch them flourish and start their family.
The sun peeking through the blinds tells me it’s way past time for me to get up and get moving. Tossing off the covers, I grab some clothes that I’ve left here over the years and head to the shower. Twenty minutes later, I’m walking into the kitchen. There is no sign of Forrest, but his door remains shut, so I’m sure he’s still asleep. I busy myself making coffee and decide to scramble us some eggs.