Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
I was worried that our love bubble would burst once we left Deer Lake. It hasn’t. It’s moved with us. I’m feeling too at home in his place already. We eat tacos, queso, and chips in front of the TV in the living room, figure out the groceries I need to get for the menu I have planned, and then I fall asleep with my head on his lap.
It’s too comfortable. He’s too comfortable like I’ve known him forever.
Just after one in the morning, I’m tangled up in him in bed, my favorite place to be with Laird, when he asks, “Marina Westcott is your best friend?”
The TV lights up the room, and after my quick nap in the living room, I haven’t been able to fall asleep again. Pushing up, I lift my head off his chest. “Random.”
“You mentioned her being your family. I guess I just put two and two together when you said the Westcotts, referring to her brothers.”
Lying back down, I roll to my side to face him. “We grew up together.”
“She was there for you after the accident?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for her. Well, and her husband. When being at home with my mother became too much, Marina and her husband took me in.”
“Cash Ryatt.” I nod as the cogs figuratively turn, judging by the distance in his eyes. I reach over and smooth his brows, hoping to ease the tension gathered there. He says, “I met them in Austin after the show.”
Nodding again as if it’s a skill I’ve honed, I reply, “That was the concert I was at and where I got my hat. Though unfortunately I don’t remember. I wish I did.”
His chest rises with a deep breath that he holds for a count as he stares at the ceiling. When he releases it long and slow, he turns to me. “I wish you did as well.”
I come closer, kissing his bicep. “Wouldn’t it have been amazing if we’d met?” I sigh with a smile, thinking about the chances of that and then me being here with him now. “We would have such a great story to tell.”
My smile is met with sadness. He slips his arm under me and says, “The best.” Leaning over, he kisses my head. “I’m going to get some sleep now. Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams,” I reply, feeling like I said something wrong. I hate the way his moods shift with the tides. I’m not sure what I said that changed the temperature of the room. If I did, I’d know which landmines to avoid. Instead, I keep setting them off without any warning.
Morning brings a new beginning.
I yawn before reaching for Laird, but he’s not there.
I thought my eyes weren’t open. They are. It’s pitch black in this room.
Careful when I climb out of bed, I head to the bathroom. Since I’m there, I brush my teeth, wanting fresh breath when I attack him with kisses. I don’t worry about how I look since we’ll most likely end up right back in bed.
I somehow—coughsLairdcoughs—lost my tank top and shorts in the bed last night. We didn’t have sex, but we did get dirty. Dark becomes light as I pad down the hallway toward the living room. Giving him an excellent view as I stretch for him. “Good morning.”
It all happens so fast I don’t have time to react. “Oh shit,” he says, running for me like I’m about to be tackled.
My gaze pivots to the kitchen, where I see Nikki Faris. His sister. His twin sister. She says, “You must be Poppy.”
Body blocked into his arms, I’m rushed back into the bedroom. The door closes, and he smacks a button on the wall, demanding the curtains open. My heart left my body back in the living room, but my eyes are wide open. “Was that your sister?”
The horror I feel inside is written all over his face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Oh shit is right . . .
24
Laird
Her blond hair is no longer in disarray.
Her hazel eyes pop under darkened lashes.
The smile I’m used to when she sees me is nowhere to be found when Poppy returns to the living room. She stops, the bottom of her dress fluttering forward from the abrupt action, as if there’s an invisible barrier keeping her out. “Hello,” she says, gulping with pinkened cheeks.
My sister stands from the couch as I rush to greet her. “Hey,” I whisper when I reach her, taking her hands in mine and giving her a smile that evokes her own. She rolls her eyes and looks away with a sigh. Pulling her to me, I kiss her head. “You look pretty, but how are you doing?”
“Embarrassed beyond . . .” She exhales and shakes her head.
Nikki says, “Please don’t be. I know that’s impossible, but . . .” I move to the side, slipping my arm around her waist, and hold her close. “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you.”