Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Noah’s eyes find mine again, the question marks set inside. Like I would ever say no to him or this beautiful town. He once mentioned he’d like to see Max have the freedom to live outside without the confines of concrete—I want that too. He asks me, “What do you think?”
“I think the three of you working together is a force to be reckoned with.”
Instead of going to his brother, Noah comes to me. Pulling me to my feet, he looks at me with the same smile that melted my Ice Queen heart many months ago. “Thank you.”
Kissing him, I close my eyes to enjoy the sweet pressure, though it’s only briefly. We don’t mind packing on the PDA, but we also don’t need to make a scene in front of the family. “So you’re taking it, right?”
He glances back at his brothers on the couch. “The dream team?”
Loch stands first and then Harbor. All three brothers are toe-to-toe. I shoot a look at Marina sitting in a chair next to mine, who rolls her eyes. “Hug it out and get it over with, guys,” she teases.
Lark comes into the living room and stops. “What’s going on?”
Tuesday raises her arm behind her, reaching out for Lark. “They’re having a silent standoff or something. Who knows?” When Lark takes her hand, she asks, “What can I get you?”
“I’m good. Mavie’s asleep, so I get a few hours to play with the grown-ups and the Westcott brothers.” She laughs and shakes her head. “Here we go again.”
Loch exchanges a look with Harbor, and then it happens so fast that Noah doesn’t see it coming. Loch scoops his legs up from under him, and Harbor holds him under the arms. While Noah threatens to get revenge, Marina opens the door for them to run through. She says, “Brr. That pool is going to be cold.”
“Wait, what?” I rush for the door.
“They do this to each other at least once a year,” Lark says. “They’re so competitive, but it’s all in good fun. We just let them get it out of their system.”
Tuesday follows us outside, closing the door. “What comes around goes around with these guys.”
Noah is laughing but reaches his arm out for me. “Save me, babe.” He’s tossed in before I can reply.
I laugh, and then ask, “Should I get him a towel?”
Lark wraps her arms around herself. “They’re all going to need one tonight.”
We watch as Loch and Harbor start running across the lawn with Noah in fast pursuit. “Your helicopter can’t save you now.”
Harbor yells, “Want to bet?”
Lark laughs. “I think he forgot that we’re staying the night and sent the pilot to a hotel. Yep. He just remembered.” As Harbor legs it toward the woods, she looks at us. “Want to go inside?”
I reply, “I’m hungry. Anyone up for a snack?”
Tuesday says, “I’d love pancakes.”
I rub my stomach. “Mm. Me too.”
The four of us return to the warmth of the house and start digging through the pantry for the ingredients. Working together, we get the first batch mixed. While I start cooking the pancakes on the griddle, Marina leans against the counter next to me. “How’s it going with my brother?” She pops a blueberry in her mouth.
With the spatula in hand, I anchor my hip on the counter to face her. “Really well. We haven’t been together for that long in the scheme of things, but it’s also like we’ve been together our whole lives. That sounds weird, right? I just . . . I’ve never been so much myself with someone else. He loves me for me. He’s an incredible partner, and you already know he’s a great dad.”
“He is. He’s so good with Max.” She says, “The first time I met you, I saw you were under his spell.”
“The Noah Effect?” I start to laugh, remembering her mentioning it before.
“Yeah. It’s all in the eyes. They don’t lie. The dilation of the pupils when they gaze upon him and then the flirting begins. It’s a whole thing that I used to find so annoying. I even had girls befriend me, hoping to get with my brothers. Ick. So gross.”
I flip three of the pancakes, then snatch a blueberry from the dish. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Being used never feels good.”
“It doesn’t, but here’s the thing, Liv. It wasn’t one-sided with you.” I meet her eyes, and we hold each other’s gaze. Her heart is on her sleeve as the corners of her eyes soften. “He looked at you the same way.” She pops her shoulders in a casual shrug. “The Liv Effect. He’s so in love with you.”
I love how easy it is to talk so openly with her. She’s warm and inviting, and I love that there’s a protective edge to her when it comes to her brothers. “I feel the same about him.”