Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“What is this, anyway?” She pointed to the logo above her chest.
“Nice change of subject. It’s the rescue swimmer emblem.” I looked her over, then put my eyes solidly on the trail. “You look good in my clothes.” Shit, I was not prepared for the immediate swell of possessiveness in my chest.
“So others may live.” She read it upside down.
“It’s our motto.” We passed six.
“As in you’re willing to die?” She glared up at me.
“Kind of comes with the territory.” I couldn’t help but smile right into her narrowed eyes. “Come on, you knew what I wanted to do. You knew it was dangerous.”
“Contemplating dream careers at sixteen is a little different than you actually flying off into potential death every day.” Two lines appeared between her brows as she looked forward and we passed five.
“How’s the reality of your dream career measure up to what you thought it would be?” We broke off the main path and took the smaller one toward what she’d called the outhouse but which was a full bathing station, indoor plumbing and everything.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “It’s everything I wanted, and sometimes even better than I could have dreamt, especially when performing. But it’s also so much worse.”
“Hold on.” I reached for her arm, stopping us just in front of the building. “Are you not happy?” Was I wrong in thinking the injury had sucked the joy out of her?
“Define happy.” She lifted her brows. “I’m at the top of my game—or will be once I’m fully healed—and have a contract as a principal dancer at one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. I get to do what I love every single day and they pay me for it.”
“Not that you need the money,” I reminded her.
“I’m happy. Or at least content.” She headed into the restroom.
“Right,” I muttered as she closed the door.
A few minutes later—with brushed teeth—we headed into the chaos of the pavilion, which was in full breakfast mode.
Dad and Caroline stood at the flattop, laughing as they cooked, while Mom stacked the camping dishes to prepare to serve.
“Allie!” Juniper raced over and slammed into Allie, throwing her arms around her middle.
“Hey kiddo.” Allie hugged her back, then smoothed the hair out of her eyes. “How did you sleep?”
I caught Caroline watching from the corner of my eye.
“Not bad!” She bounced back on her heels. “We’re rope swinging today!”
“Oh.” Allie tensed. “That sounds . . . exciting.”
“You’re going to have so much fun!” She ran off to play with the twins.
“And suddenly, I’m chopped liver.” I brought my hand to my heart.
“Awh.” Allie clasped my hand, leaned into me and smiled, crinkling her freckle-spattered nose. “Is Hudson not the favorite for the first time in his life?” Her eyes lit with mischief, and if I hadn’t fallen for her eleven years ago, that look would have done it. Hook. Line. Sinker.
“Fine. You can be Juniper’s favorite.” I locked my arm around her waist and bent my head to hers. “As long as I’m yours.” I kissed her, slow and sweet, savoring the hint of mint that clung to her lips. She rose up and kissed me back, and I seriously debated telling my family to fuck off so I could carry her back to our cabin, but I kept my tongue behind my teeth.
I was never going to get enough of this.
“Why did you two even bother getting out of bed?” Gavin asked as he walked by.
“Good question,” I said against her mouth as I broke the kiss.
“Behave,” Allie ordered, her smile turning my heart end over end.
“Not in my vocabulary.” I let her go reluctantly so we could grab food, then mentally groaned when Allie sat at Caroline and Gavin’s table. Time to work.
“Nice hoodie,” Gavin said with a grin.
“Like it?” Allie glanced down. “I’m thinking of adding it to my Hudson’s Hoodies collection.” She bit into a piece of bacon.
If she used her teeth on me, I’d give her every hoodie I owned.
“So when’s the big day for your promotion?” Caroline asked me.
“You’re getting promoted?” Allie raised her eyebrows at me.
“You didn’t know?” Caroline countered, then sipped her coffee.
“I hadn’t told her.” I narrowed my eyes on Caroline before turning toward Allie. “Because I don’t know when it will happen. I made the list, but when you actually make rank depends on how many people they promote a month and how fast the list moves, so probably not until September. Maybe October.”
“Congratulations.” She smiled. Yeah, I was never going to get enough of that either.
“And where are you thinking of heading next, since your duty-station preferences are due like what . . . in a few weeks?” Gavin asked, side-eyeing Caroline.
“Your what?” Caroline fumbled her coffee but kept it from spilling. “You’re not leaving, are you?”