Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
My hands shake as I pull out a small slip of paper. I recognize Charles’s blocky script—even all these years later—and bite my bottom lip as I read the note.
Trust my intuition.
Oliver Rhett – Crossport University
Beneath that, he wrote Oliver’s number and the address for his loft.
“I don’t know why he had my info with this stuff,” Oliver says. “I like to think he wanted it all to get back to me if something ever happened to him, but it’s strange.”
“This wasn’t with the other envelopes,” I say carefully. “I dropped it in the bag with everything else, but this envelope is one your father gave to me.” I hold his gaze. “He told me he thought I’d be the perfect match for his son, and he wanted his son to someday have the family he deserved as a child.”
Oliver’s eyes go glassy with tears, and he shakes his head. “No. You don’t have to—”
“He gave me this envelope and said he wanted me to reach out to his son in a few weeks.”
Tears spill over and onto his cheeks. “Alec. He was always looking for the perfect match for Alec.”
“After everything you told me, I assumed it was Alec too, but Oliver”—I wave the envelope in the air—“this was who he wanted me to contact. He wanted me to be with you because he wanted you to be happy, and some instinct of his told him that I could be your family.”
Tears slip from the corners of his closed eyes. This strong man. This impenetrable force. Crying at a note left eight years ago by a man he claims to hate.
“Do you hate that your manipulative old man wanted me to be with you?”
He swallows, his throat bobbing. “No. I don’t hate it at all.”
I wrap my arms around him. “I love you.”
He slides a hand into my hair and kisses my cheek. “I love you too.”
ONE YEAR LATER
OLIVER
Orchid Valley is the perfect retreat.
In fact, I spend more time here than in L.A., so maybe that makes our California place my second home.
Either way, I’m rather fond of this sleepy tourist town. I like the people and mountains. There are plenty of trails to hike and places to visit within a couple hours’ drive. But mostly, this is where Savvy is happiest, so it’s where I’m happiest. And tonight that’s truer than ever.
“Did you bring it?” my sister asks, elbowing me in the side much harder than necessary.
“No, Peony. I forgot the most important part.”
“I’m sorry,” she mutters, wringing her hands. “I’m nervous.”
We’re in the backyard of our Orchid Valley home surrounded by Savvy’s friends—our friends—celebrating the long Labor Day weekend with a cookout and a few beers. And, if I have my way, one big surprise.
Brinley joins us on the patio. “You about ready?” she asks under her breath.
“Just about,” I say, grinning at her.
“Hey,” Rose says with another elbow in my side. “Why didn’t she get a snarky reply?”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Sorry, sis. I’ll try to be more equal-opportunity snark.”
“Have you seen the ring?” Rose whispers to Brinley.
“No.” Brinley’s eyes go wide. “Have you?”
Rose nods like a bobblehead. “It’s gorgeous.” She holds her hand out, palm up. “Gimme. I want to show Brinley.”
“You two can’t wait, like, twenty minutes?”
“That’s forever,” Rose whines. “Come on. I want to see it again too!”
I nod toward the outdoor kitchen Kace and Dean helped me install this summer, and we step behind the counter so Savvy won’t see anything from where she’s standing, chatting to Stella in the backyard. I open the blue velvet box and show them what’s inside.
“Oh my God,” Brinley whispers, her hand to her chest. “She’s going to love it.”
“Isn’t it gorg?” Rose says.
The back door swings open and Smithy walks out. “Hey, all!” he announces. “I brought more beer!” He hoists a six-pack of O’Doul’s in the air. Dude makes me laugh. He owns a bar and is always stoned, but he’s decided alcohol is the devil’s water and has switched to nonalcoholic beer—and not even the good craft kind.
“Hey, Smithy,” Brinley says. “Glad you could make it.” But her tone says, I told you not to be late.
“Shit, man! That ring is gorgeous! Is that for Savvy? About damn time!” He holds a hand in front of his eyes, pretending to be blinded, but everyone else is gaping because Smithy has one volume, and now everyone on the lawn knows what tonight’s surprise is.
Including Savannah.
I snatch the box back from Brinley, who looks as mortified as Smithy should but won’t, snap it shut, and tuck it back into my pocket before turning to my girlfriend.
She’s staring at me, biting her bottom lip like she’s trying not to laugh. A dozen pairs of eyes are trained on us.
I squeeze the back of my neck and stroll down the steps and into the yard. “I guess I’m doing this now,” I say when I’m standing in front of her.