Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Goddamn, that cuts to the bone.
Mainly because I feel it, too.
That warmth, that easy affection. It’s like it keeps part of him around, my best friend egging us both on, no matter how MIA he is.
I can see his easygoing smile even now.
That’s just how Ethan was.
Everyone’s friend, never met a stranger he didn’t like, this charmer with the cocky grin and messy shag of sandy hair.
If he were here, he’d tell us to stop being screwballs and get out of our own way.
Then he’d thump me for the things I’m suddenly wanting to do, with the way my heart catches fire at the words I was crushing on you.
I linger on that warm expression of fond memories on Ophelia’s face, then catch a lock of honey-gold hair and coil it around my fingers.
“All this time, we both thought it was hate when it was the exact opposite.”
“All this time. Crazy,” she agrees shyly, a slow smile spreading across her lips.
Only trouble is, it’s happening so fast it makes my head spin.
Where the hell do we go from here with two lives apart and endless drama pulling us in different directions?
“So, you still crushing on me now?” I ask.
Do you still love me?
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Ophelia laughs and prods her finger lightly against my chest. “It’s been ten years, Grant. I’m still a pain-in-the-ass realist. I barely know you anymore.” That laughter fades, though, and she cocks her head at me with thoughtful eyes lingering before she adds, “But I think I’d like to.” Then she grins, impish as ever as she pokes my chest again. “Your turn, bucko. Are you still in love with me?”
I could answer.
For Ophelia Sanderson, I could cut myself open and pour out my soul.
Somehow, I don’t think I’m gonna give that beautiful brat the satisfaction, though. Not when we’re dancing around our words, saying too much and trying to read between the lines.
I just grin slowly, lace our fingers together, and lift them to kiss her knuckles.
Then I gather her against me in the glowing morning silence, settling down again to hold her while the light rises through the windows, gold and bright and true.
I haven’t had a morning this peaceful in a good, long while.
We stay tangled up on the sofa together, now and then stealing a few light, wordless kisses that leave me as hard as a rock.
Honestly, it’s a relief when Nell comes thumping downstairs and catches us with an ooh and a loud giggle.
That’s our cue to start the day.
Soon, we’ve got all hands in the kitchen throwing together breakfast. We work seamlessly without minding little Nell’s clumsy 'help.'
I gotta say, I’m grateful for an extra pair of hands to catch the girl with sharp objects she’s not supposed to touch, or her ham-fisted attempts to fiddle with the burners to make our food cook faster. We’re real lucky she doesn’t burn down the house.
Meanwhile, we’re treated to Nell’s cartoonish smoochy faces and schoolyard songs about sitting in a tree doing the unspeakable.
Ophelia takes it all in with good humor, thankfully. She also chases Nell into her seat with a frontal assault of tickles.
It’s a sweet normalcy I hadn’t realized I’ve been missing until it’s right there in my face.
What would it look like if this was my life, my family, every day?
I’m sure I ain’t the only person wondering. Ophelia looks at me like she’s seeing me for the first time with new eyes, and I think she’s pretty damn fond of what she sees.
My heart drums every time I catch her eye over breakfast.
That warmth lingers as we split apart to tidy up, wash the dishes, and get Nell ready for school.
Not long after, I drop them both at the school, Nell kissing my cheek and rushing off to scream after her friends. Ophelia offers a bright smile and tells me she can walk from here since she’s planning to stop by the family shop to try to corner Ros before she sets off on another visit to the medical center.
“I’ll pick Nell up this afternoon, if you want,” she says, leaning her arms on the driver’s side window and peering in at me with a smile. “My car’s supposed to be out of the shop, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Not sure how I ever managed before.”
And just to see if she’ll do it—if things really have changed between us—I tilt my head up for a kiss.
Ophelia glances to both sides, her face flaming such a pretty sky-pink.
Then she leans in and gives it up, pressing her mouth to mine like pure nectar.
It’s swift and sweet, this lingering heat that curls through my veins as our lips brush chastely.
I have to hold my greedy tongue back before she pulls away with a flick of her finger against my nose.