Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“I take it you fell in love on this trip?”
I laugh. “I did, actually. Jess and I … We might’ve drifted apart—again—if we hadn’t done this. Or maybe not. Maybe the universe used this path to put us together. But I feel very, very good about what we’re offering with this, Bridgit. I have suggestions—lots of them. I’ll draft them and send them to you by Monday morning.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“Great.”
“We’ll chat on Monday. Talk soon.”
“Goodbye.”
I slip my phone into my pocket and start emptying my suitcase. I’m not halfway through when my phone buzzes again.
Unknown: Hey, Pippa! It’s Brooke, Moss’s girlfriend. Honey’s granddaughter. We met the other day.
I add her to my contacts list.
Me: Hi!
Brooke: I got your number from Honey. I hope that’s okay?
Unknown: Hi!
Brooke: That’s Ashley, Maddox’s wife.
I add her to my contacts list too.
My smile stretches from ear-to-ear.
Me: Hi, Ashley! Yes, of course, it’s okay, Brooke.
Ashley: Things happen in this family every hour. It’s best if we’re all on the same page.
Brooke: Like the Sparkles dating app thing? OMG Jess wins that round.
I don’t know what I’m doing in this chat or how I got here, but I love it.
Me: Just tell me the rooster is gone.
Ashley: Yes. Maddox made sure of it. I think he was actually afraid of what Jess might do if Banks left it there.
Me: Yeah, me too. LOL
Brooke: Moss and I are going to make some pizzas in my new pizza oven tomorrow night. I’m sure Jess will tell you, but if he’s anything like his brother, he’ll tell you at the last minute.
Ashley: His other brother does that too.
Brooke: I hope you’re not busy and can come! You don’t have to bring anything at all. It’s very low-key. We aren’t fancy people.
Ashley: Oh! If you hear anything about Damaris getting a new couch—NO, YOU DIDN’T.
I laugh, my heart expanding wider than it’s ever been stretched.
How are these people just inviting me over? Assuming I’m going to know about a couch?
Things happen in this family every hour. It’s best if we’re all on the same page.
I press a hand to my nose to try to prevent myself from crying. It’s a trick I learned in elementary school when Dad got mad at me for being “too emotional.”
Brooke: Recap—the couch has been an issue since before I came into this family. Damaris has threatened to get a new one and Kixx keeps saying no. But the boys all bought one for her, and Moss and Foxx are picking it up one day this weekend. It’s a surprise.
Me: I won’t say a word.
Ashley: Final tip of the day—LOCK. YOUR. DOORS. I know I’m all shouty caps today, but I’ve had a lot of caffeine because Jess has been gone so Banks is back at our house. I’m all shouty capping things BECAUSE BANKS IS AT OUR HOUSE.
Brooke:
Ashley: Banks phone went off until Maddox finally made him leave around ten last night. Constant texts. He has one lady that was seventy-eight sexting him things that I didn’t know were possible.
I burst out laughing.
Me: I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to seeing him or not. How long will he be upset about this.
Brooke: Forever.
Ashley: FOREVER.
Brooke: Jess won that round. But this isn’t over.
Ashley:
Me: I really appreciate the tips. And thanks for reaching out. It really does mean the world to me.
Brooke: Welcome to the family.
Me: You know we aren’t getting married, right?
Ashley: You’re adorable.
Brooke: Good luck.
I stare at the phone, waiting on their responses, but they never come.
My laughter is a mix of amusement and disbelief. Surely, they don’t really think we’re getting married. Right?
I start to sweat a little.
But as I replay the conversation in my head, like I always do, the sweating eases. It’s not out of the question. Heck, at some point, we probably will get married. They probably just see the writing on the wall.
Besides, who could be loved this entirely by Jess Carmichael, and not want to marry him?
I grin. Who could feel this loved by the entire family and not want to be a part of it?
Before I can think it through, my phone rings again. I don’t know the number.
I take a long, deep breath. “Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart. It’s Damaris. Jess said you were home, and I finagled your number from him. I hope you’re okay with that?”
I laugh. Might as well. Everyone else seems to have it. “Sure. What’s up?”
“Did you have a good time on your trip?”
The way she says it tells me she knows I did. She’s already gone over it with Jess.
“I did,” I say, coyly. “It was a great time.”