Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“They’re here!” I heard Mom cry out. “They’re here!”
My grandmother lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Go, Grams. I’ll get the rest out.”
She took off without a second’s hesitation. A few moments later, I heard cheering, and I smiled.
“So, you do know how to smile?”
I turned to see Lilibeth Asher standing there. She was one of my sister’s best friends, and the owner of a perfumery and gift store on Main Street called Wonderland Whimsy. From the moment we’d met, we had done nothing but sparred with one another. And I knew exactly why I was such a dick to the woman.
If it kept her at a distance, I wouldn’t be tempted by the way I felt when she was near.
My eyes ran up and down her body, taking in the navy-blue sweater dress that hugged every curve. She wore black boots, and her blonde hair was pulled up into ringlets atop her head. Small flowers were tucked into her hair, as usual. She looked breathtaking. And that pissed me the fuck off. I didn’t want to notice when Lilibeth looked good.
“What are you doing here, Flower Child?”
Sighing, she set a pie on the kitchen island.
“Hey, you told me not to call you sweetheart, so I stopped.”
“And you think Flower Child is better?”
I looked past her. “Why aren’t you out there congratulating Emeline?”
Something moved across her face, but it was quickly replaced with a smile. “I wanted to give your family time with her first. Why aren’t you out there?”
When I didn’t answer, she tilted her head and regarded me.
“Are you not happy for Emeline and Levi?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I am.”
She nodded. “Right. It’s just so hard for me to tell which scowl of yours means what.”
God, why is she here?
“Don’t you have your own family to spend the holiday with, Lilibeth?”
She folded her arms over her chest, and all that did was perk up her breasts. My dick instantly twitched in my pants. “My mother and father went on a cruise. Vivianne found out and asked me to join your family. Honestly, I don’t get how you’re an offspring of Vivianne and Ladd’s. They’re so nice, and you’re…”
Her eyes raked slowly over my body before her gaze met mine again. I raised my brows, inviting her to go on, and she didn’t disappoint.
“You’re such an asshole.”
I couldn’t hold back the laughter.
Lilibeth smiled, and I had to look away. “Wow, he knows how to laugh, too. Interesting.”
Moving around her, I intentionally bumped her arm. “Excuse me, Flower Child.”
I didn’t have to look behind me to know that Lilibeth was following. When I walked into the living room, I found everyone surrounding my baby sister, Emeline. I smiled when I saw her wide grin. She was showing everyone the engagement ring Levi had given her. I searched the room for my best friend and found him talking to my younger brother, Gatlin.
Levi and I had been friends for as long as I could remember. He and his six-year-old son, Rhett, had moved back to River Falls last spring, not long after his two-year-old daughter died in a car accident. Levi’s ex-wife had been driving, and she’d suffered a few broken bones. Their marriage, which had really been over for the last few years, took its last hit with the death of their daughter. Levi filed for divorce, Caroline gave up custody of sweet little Rhett, and they started a new life back in River Falls.
That life now included my sister, who’d had a crush on Levi for years. They’d started dating in May, and now, just six months later, they were engaged.
Emeline lifted her gaze and met mine. I smiled and made my way to her. She hugged me tightly.
“Levi told me he asked for your permission to marry me,” she said in my ear. “Thank you.”
I held her tighter. “I just want you to be happy, Emeline.”
She drew back and looked up at me. “I’ve never been happier.”
Nodding, I replied, “Good. I’m glad.”
She looked past me, eyes sparkling with delight. “Lilibeth! What are you doing here?”
I quickly moved out of the way and stood to the side, watching as Emeline and Lilibeth hugged. She then showed Lilibeth the ring, and they both squealed like schoolgirls.
Ensley walked over and stood next to me. She sniffled, and I glanced over just as she wiped a tear away.
“You okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “I’m just happy for Emeline, that’s all.”
I smirked at her. “You’re next.”
Turning her head, she gaped at me. “Why am I next? Because I’m a girl?”
Laughing, I replied, “Because it’s certainly not going to be me. And can you see him settling down anytime soon?” I pointed to Gatlin, who was walking around trying to balance a glass of water on his forehead as Rhett cheered him on.
Ensley burst into laughter. “Fair enough.”