Case pulls out his phone. “I’m texting Hannah the good news. She’s so excited to be a matchmaker.” I laugh and shake my head, resting against the shovel as I stare out at the property. I love this, working with my hands—creating, building, growing something beautiful where it had been lacking.
It’s a dream come true.
Just like bein’ here with my friends, my brother, and now maybe, my girl.
It’s becoming home and it’s better than I imagined.
LANA
Pacingmy kitchen early Monday morning, I reread the text Mason had sent me well before my own alarm had gone off. I’d read it a million times, committed it to memory, and it still had me grinning like a fool.
MASON: Good morning gorgeous. I hope your day is incredible. I haven’t stopped thinking about you.
There’sno way I’ll make it through work if I don’t tellsomeone.
I could text the book club chat. It’s something I’ll probably have to do eventually. Ellison, Cal, Nessa, and Bea would pitch a fit if they found out I’d been harboring something so spectacular from them.
But I’m not quite ready to share this.
It’s too new.
Too wonderful.
And if I’m lucky, it might be lasting.
That leaves my only other friend.
It was a friendship born from spite and nothing else. We were like that movie where the wife and mistresses bond together to gain revenge on the cheating bastard. But instead of that particular scenario, Jacob had married mistress number two and I’d gotten full custody of our kids and Ranger.
LANA: I went on a date
AMARA: With the guy from the photoshoot?
LANA: Yes
AMARA: That’s amazing! What’s he like?
LANA: Younger—a lot younger
AMARA: Good for you girl—how’s the sex?
LANA: Why do you think I’ve had sex with him?
AMARA: …
LANA: Fine, the sex was incredible—and he was so damn patient with me
AMARA: Not everyone is Jacob
AMARA: That asshole couldn’t find a clit if it jumped up and bit him
LANA: Thanks for that visual
AMARA: You’re welcome. You DESERVE to be treated like a queen
LANA: I forgot what that’s like
LANA: He makes me feel alive—I wish I was being dramatic but it’s true
