Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“It was in the back.” She grins at me, and then boosts up to kiss my jawline. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
Ryker moves to the front, leading us inside, and I hear him give instructions for where to seat us to the hostess.
Finally, we’re in the back of the room, in a booth, with the girls tucked safely against the wall, and I take a breath.
I won’t breathe completely easy until we’re back on the ranch, but for now, this works for me.
“What can I getcha to drink?” the waitress asks as she approaches. She does a double take at Ryker and me, and then a slow smile spreads over her lips. “Hey, fellas.”
“Hey, Sarah,” Willow says with a fake smile, making Ryker and me share a grin.
Willow is territorial as fuck. It’s adorable.
But then Lena’s hand lands on my arm and she tips her head onto my shoulder, also fake smiling.
“Oh, uh, hi, Willow,” Sarah says.
“You know my husband, Ryker,” Willow says. “This is my friend, Lisa.”
“And this is my boyfriend, Gideon,” Lena says, not batting an eye at the fake name that Willow gave her.
I love these girls.
“Of course, we all grew up together,” Sarah says. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Two filthy martinis for us,” Willow says, pointing to herself and my girl.
“Water for me.”
“Same,” Ry says, and then Sarah’s gone. “That wasn’t obvious at all, Trouble.”
“Sarah always had a crush on you guys,” Willow says, rolling her eyes. “And I’m not convinced that she really cares that you have a ring on your finger, but she won’t fucking flirt with you while I’m sitting right here.”
I lean over and kiss Lena on the head, breathing in her oranges. “What do you want to eat, baby?”
“I want a burger and onion rings. But I need you to get french fries so I can steal a few.”
“Deal.”
“Oh, can we do the same?” Willow asks Ryker, who just nods and sets his menu aside. “Good idea. Okay, before the food gets here, Gid needs to open his present.”
“I need a drink first,” Lena says, and just then, Sarah returns with all our drinks. We place our food order, and Lena takes a few sips of her martini. “Oh, that’s good.”
“They used the good gin,” Willow agrees with a nod. “Okay, presents.”
“You guys didn’t have to get me anything at all. It’s just another day.”
“Wrong,” Lena says. “It’s the best day of the year because you were born on it.”
Christ, my heart.
I ignore Willow’s aww and Ryker’s grin, and lean over to kiss her lips.
“You’re all the present I need, Rebel.”
“You guys are way too gooey,” Willow says as she takes another sip of her drink. “Come on, the wait is killing me.”
Lena bites her lip, then grabs the long, thin wrapped box that she stowed between her and the wall and hands it to me.
I don’t bother to try to save the paper as I tear into the gift, then open the lid of the box and feel the breath catch in my lungs.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, and drag my finger over the glass covering my mom’s face. It’s a sketch of my parents, sitting on the porch of the farmhouse, laughing and looking so in love, my heart aches. It’s exactly how I remember them from the time when Ry and I came to live at the ranch.
I pass the frame over to my brother, and then I cup my girl’s face in my hands and kiss her.
“Thank you. That’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.”
“You’re welcome.”
“This is incredible,” Ryker says, shaking his head as he stares at my girl’s art.
“Right?” Willow wipes a tear from her cheek. “You’re so talented, Le-Lisa.” She winks at Lena, making her laugh.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Very few people come in and out of the pub, and soon, I start to let my guard down just a little and let myself enjoy this time out with my favorite people.
“What kind of book are you recording now, Willow?” I ask after our food is delivered and we start eating. Lena puts two of her onion rings in my basket and grabs a small handful of fries.
“It’s a hockey romance, actually. I’m enjoying it. Next up, I have a dark stalker romance.”
“I bet it’s fun to work on such diverse projects.” Lena licks some ketchup off her finger, and it has my cock standing up and paying attention.
“I love that it’s always different,” Willow agrees. “I have a fun job.”
“Gideon mentioned that you have a degree in finance?” Ryker lifts an eyebrow at Lena. “That’s my jam, girl. What kind of portfolio do you have?”
“Mostly IRAs, but the bulk of my money is in trust, from my parents. I come into the rest of it when I’m twenty-five.”
“When is that?” Willow asks. “Not because I need any of your money—I’m just curious when your birthday is so I can prepare.”