Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“She’s right,” Penny agrees. “Just go on the date. See where it takes you. Maybe things will feel clearer after tonight.”
Leave it to these ladies to put everything into perspective.
“Thanks, guys.” I smile, feeling lighter than I have in days. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
They’ve always been my safe place—the family I used to wish for. The kind I once had with my sister, before everything changed.
“Anytime.” Ellie pulls me into a hug, her arms warm and comforting.
Hollis and Penny pile in until we’re all tangled in a giant group hug.
That’s when it happens—a sudden thump against my stomach. Two quick taps from Ellie’s belly.
We all jolt back at once.
“Oh my god…” I gasp. “Was that—”
Ellie’s mouth curves into a knowing smile. “Baby gymnastics on my bladder?” she offers with a laugh. “Yep.”
Hollis squeals in delight, and in the next breath we’re all reaching for Ellie’s belly, hands pressing gently to the swell. Another kick flutters beneath our palms, sending us into a burst of excitement.
“This is so fucking cool,” I breathe, completely in awe.
There’s something so magical about it.
“It is,” Penny whispers, emotion catching in her voice.
I meet her eyes and offer a quiet, knowing smile—something only the two of us share—before Ellie cuts in.
“Yeah, cool, except at three in the morning.”
We all laugh, the sound soft and full, still wrapped in the wonder of the moment…when a sharp knock rattles my front door.
Panic crashes back through me, hard and fast. “Crap, it’s him.”
Ellie’s hands settle on my shoulders again, her gaze as firm as her voice. “You can do this, Harlow. Do you understand? You’ve got this.”
I nod, because right now, that’s all I can manage.
“Good. Now go out there and have fun.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Penny adds. “We’ll slip out the back.”
They all spring into motion, grabbing purses and shoes in a blur of practiced chaos. By the time I reach the front door, they’re huddled at the back, giving me exaggerated thumbs-ups and grins before slipping out.
I hold onto the warmth they leave behind as I open the door. Then, I lose all ability to breathe.
Linc stands before me in a pair of dark, well-worn jeans and a black Henley that fits like it was made for him. Rugged, effortless, and that masculine confidence wrapped in a cocky grin that shouldn’t undo me after all these years.
“Hi,” I mutter, aiming for annoyance because I don’t know how to be anything else around him.
Unless, of course, he’s got me naked beneath him…
Don’t think about that, Harlow.
“Goldilocks,” he returns, stepping inside like he owns the place.
Before I can react, his arm slips around my waist, lifting me just enough for him to brush a quick, unapologetic kiss on my mouth.
It’s so fast it’s over before I can even think about protesting.
Not that I would.
“You look nice.” His tone dips, eyes sliding over me with heat that sinks straight to my core.
“Thanks,” I manage, sounding embarrassingly breathless.
“Brought you something.” He pulls a fistful of dandelions from behind his back, their seeds mostly gone, stems wilted.
I laugh, both amused and touched.
“I know, they’re a little worse for wear,” he grumbles, misreading my reaction. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep these little fuckers in one piece? Walk too fast, and poof—they’re dust.”
Smiling, I take the half-naked bouquet. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“But you’re impressed,” he counters, smug.
I don’t bother denying it. “And touched. Thank you.”
His grin eases into something warmer. “You’re welcome.”
For a long beat, neither of us move. Just his eyes on mine, that pull between us stretching taut. The kind that doesn’t fade, no matter how much I want it to.
“So, where are we going?” I ask, breaking the connection first.
“Dinner. I got us a reservation at Solara.”
My brows lift. “The new place over in Glacier County?”
“The one and only.”
“I heard they’re booked solid until next year.”
His grin returns. “They are. Lucky for you, I’ve got connections.”
I roll my eyes at his arrogance.
He chuckles, warm and amused. “They’re hosting a lantern festival over the lake for the grand opening. Figured we’d head down to that after dinner.”
Excitement sparks through me. “A lantern festival? Really?”
He nods. “You ever been to one?”
I shake my head. “But I’ve always wanted to.”
From pictures I’ve seen, they look positively magical. I’ve even tried convincing a few of my clients to do them, but no one ever bites.
Amusement lingers in his eyes. “Guess it’s your lucky night, Goldilocks.”
He’s so damn cocky I can’t resist knocking him down a peg. “Lucky is the last word I’d use to describe tonight, Masters.”
His laugh bursts out, deep and boisterous, tugging a reluctant smile from me.
He slings an arm around my shoulders. “Come on, smart-ass. Let’s eat.”
The move is so easy, so natural, that I don’t bother fighting it.
I decide to do the same for the rest of the night—go with the flow, have fun, and let it be what it is.