Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Um…I…I,” I’m speechless.
“Brock probably feels the same way you do, Willow,” Kai says with a nod of his head.
Could they be right? Does Brock have feelings for me?
“What should I do?” I ask all of them just as my mother walks into the living room.
“Willow, one of the Atwood boys is here.”
My eyes widen. “Here? Like at the front door?” I slowly rise from my chair.
My mother nods, her brown eyes shining with confusion. “Yes, I’m not sure which one. There’s so many of them. I think it’s one of the younger ones.” My mother’s brown hair falls around her shoulders as she smiles.
“Brock?” I whisper more to myself than anyone else. I head to the front door, my five brother’s trailing behind me. I blink twice, trying my best to gauge what I’m actually seeing.
Brock stands with his hands behind his back, on my front porch. When he sees me, his eyes light up. “Willow,” he says, stepping forward but then hesitating when he sees all my older brothers coming up behind me. “Oh, hi guys,” he says, his cheeks blushing slightly. He raises one hand, and I glance over my shoulder.
My brothers return his hi with hellos of their own, and I step out onto the porch, shutting the front door behind me to block my brothers from overhearing.
“Sorry about them,” I say, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
“It’s okay. I get it. Siblings are nosy.”
I laugh. “Exactly. Was Paxton really upset?”
Brock shakes his head slowly. “Nobody was upset except for you. I hated seeing you cry that day. I want you to know I almost hit Lake, but he ran off. Paxton made him leave, and nobody cares to ever see him again.”
“Same. I don’t ever want to see him again. I’m so sorry he embarrassed you in front of your family.”
Brock steps closer, his eyes locking with mine. “Don’t you ever apologize for that asshole ever again. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you from him. I’m sorry you had to have any of that happen to you. If I could take your pain away, I would.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” I say, wishing the whole situation would just dissolve into nothing. “I just feel bad about your mother. She had to see all of that. I’m so embarrassed. I feel like I ruined Paxton’s wedding.”
Brock inches closer. “You only ruined one thing.”
“I did? What’s that?”
“Other women for me. Because there’s nobody on the planet I want more than you, Willow. I know you don’t feel the same way as me, but I have to tell you that I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ve always been attracted to you, growing up I always thought you were so pretty, but didn’t really know how to express those feelings so I picked on you. Now, I know it’s because I’ve had this huge crush on you, and it’s only gotten bigger.”
I blink.
He continues, “Seriously, Willow. You’re it for me. I loved being your fake boyfriend in Vegas, and I’m hoping I can be your real boyfriend here in Magnolia Ridge, and well, everywhere else in the world too.”
My smile widens. “You’re in love with me?” I ask in a whisper.
He nods, inching even closer. His hand moves to rest on my hip while the other slides through my hair. “I’m so in love with you.”
“I love you too,” I tell him right before he kisses me, making me the happiest woman ever.
I can hear my brothers cheering from the family room, their voices a mix of laughter and shouts of encouragement. Together, Brock and I break the kiss and glance at the big bay window. There’s my whole family staring at us, watching with wide smiles and eyes full of joy.
I laugh, feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness. “Oh, we’ve got a lot of family to tell that we’re together.”
Brock smiles wide, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, it looks like your family already knows, and my family assumes. In fact, my family knew we were the perfect match, I think, before I did.”
“Your mother wasn’t mad?” I ask, a hint of worry creeping into my voice.
Brock tugs me closer, his gaze steady and reassuring. “My family already loves you, Willow. Now it’s my turn to love you for the rest of my life.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling the weight of his words sink in. “I seriously can’t wait.” And then we kiss again, not caring who is watching us.
As we pull back, still wrapped in each other’s arms, I look around at my family. Their expressions are a mix of pride, happiness, and maybe a little bit of relief. It feels like a new chapter, one filled with love and support from everyone I care about.
“Guess we should join the party,” I say, glancing back at Brock with a grin.