“Never gets old,” Dom whispered, looking up too.
“No,” Finn agreed. “It really doesn’t.”
I turned to look at him, firelight catching in his eyes, his expression open and content. This was home and there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
Chapter 51
Baby, you’re a firework
Finn
The afternoon heat of July Fourth had taken its toll by the time we made it back to our room at the lodge. Hours of celebration—kids running wild with sparklers, the smell of barbecue smoke, laughter carrying across the ranch grounds—had left us both ready for a break before the evening kicked in.
“I need at least thirty minutes where nobody’s asking me questions,” Alex toed off her sandals the second the door closed behind us. She’d been fielding extended-family curiosity all day, smiling through it—but I’d caught the way her shoulders had started creeping up around her ears.
“Take your time,” I pulled my sneakers off. “Evening celebration doesn’t start until seven anyway.”
She disappeared into the bathroom while I stretched out on top of the covers, letting the air conditioning work its magic. The room was quiet after the chaos outside—just the hum of the bathroom fan and distant noise of the celebration continuing without us. It gave me a minute to think about tonight—about what came after the dancing and the fireworks.
About the fact that we werereadyfor what came after. All of it.
My phone buzzed. Dom had sent a photo of him and Enzo with a group of kids who’d apparently challenged them to a water balloon fight.
Dom:getting destroyed. send help
Me:You’re on your own, brother
That earned me a middle finger emoji. Predictable as always.
Alex emerged fifteen minutes later in a t-shirt and her underwear, hair pulled back, looking more comfortable. She climbed over the bed and nestled down against my side, guiding my arm around her shoulders.
“Mm, you smell good.”
“I smell like sweat,” I huffed, my fingers already brushing up and down her arm.
“I like it,” she wiggled against me more and then sighed in contentment. “Tell me about tonight. A dinner and dance seems like an odd way to end July Fourth before fireworks.”
“It’s tradition,” I lifted a shoulder. “My great-grandparents started the celebration part. All the neighbors came for a big barbeque and fireworks. When Móraí was about fourteen, they added a dance and it just stuck. Became a North Star tradition. Móraí met my granddad at one when she was nineteen. I think that’s the real reason we still have them.”
“Romantic.” Her voice was wistful as she wrapped her arm around my middle, draping one leg over mine.
“Romantic as fuck,” I agreed, kissing the top of her head. I held Alex until I was sure she’d fallen asleep, drifting in and out of consciousness myself before finally getting up to get ready for the evening.
I showered quick, trimmed my beard, and pulled my hair back completely to save myself from the heat, deciding that was about as good as it was getting. When I came out, Alex was at the small desk by the window, scrolling through something on her phone while she chewed on the tip of her thumb.
“Please tell me you’re not working.”
“Just answering a couple of texts,” she glanced up, smiled. “No work today. Promise.”
“Good,” I kissed her lightly.
Golden light slanted through the windows, sounds of the celebration a comfortable backdrop. I pulled on my tan jeans and gingham plaid western shirt, snapping the buttons up to the last two.
“I’m gonna step outside for a bit,” I nodded toward the balcony after pulling on my boots. “Get some air and give you a little space to do your thing.”
“Okay. I’ll get ready in a minute.” She was already turning back to her phone, typing away with an expression that meant she was orchestrating something.
I slid the glass door open and stepped out onto the small balcony. The view stretched across the grounds toward the event barn, string lights already glowing even though the sun hadn’t fully set. The band was setting up on the temporary stage, testing microphones, and adjusting equipment. Restaurant staff were setting up drink and refreshment stations. A few early arrivals were claiming spots near the dance floor.
