His large hand is on her back, practically dwarfing her puppy body. My eyes drift to the lines in his muscular forearm, the bulge of his bicep. Resting my cheek on my hand, I exhale a sigh.
Corey
Looking forward to seeing you at Beverly’s wedding. Perhaps I can be your escort for the weekend.
Exhaling a little growl, I roll my eyes. How is it possible for one man to be so irritating? He knows as well as everyone my best friend has never gone by the name Beverly a day in her life. I wish I could roll him up and stick him in a fig.
Dove
I don’t need an escort. It’s all taking place at my home, in the orchard, and Boo has us all booked up with activities and preparations.
Corey
Ah, yes, champagne and mani-pedis. Still, it’ll be lovely to see you again. Perhaps it will give you ideas.
Dove
If by ideas, you mean ways to preserve my family’s heritage, that’s the whole reason I’m here.
Corey
There are more ways than studying to preserve your family’s heritage.
Dove
Agree to disagree.
Rolling my eyes, I’m ready to throw my phone across the backseat when another text lights up my screen. One that makes me smile and scooch down in my chair.
Maverick
ETA?
I look at the trip calculator on my phone.
Dove
About 45 minutes
Maverick
Perfect.
I put a thumbs up on his message and chew my lip as I look out the window, counting down the minutes as we make our way through the traffic on the interstate.
I must’ve dozed, because the sound of the door slamming shut makes me jump awake. I sit up quickly, reaching over to grab my purse and my messenger bag. The door opens, and I look up to see the hazel eyes I’ve been thinking about all week looking down at me.
My breath hitches, and I slide my hand into his, stepping out as he lifts me effortlessly onto the sidewalk then bends down to engulf me in a hug.
He’s still hard as a rock, but I’m surrounded by his familiar scent of woodsy leather and soap, and I close my eyes as I wrap my arms over his shoulders. Warmth floods me from my chest all the way down to my toes, and for several beats of my heart, we don’t move.
It’s like we’ve been apart for years rather than weeks,and every muscle in my body relaxes. Happiness washes over me in sparkling waves. I feel so silly, my eyes heat. A smile splits my cheeks, and I want to laugh.
Then he releases me, stepping back and smiling down at me so big. “Let me get your bags.”
I follow him into the house, and he puts my suitcase at the foot of the stairs. Looking around, the place seems freshly cleaned. I even notice a fresh bouquet of white roses in a crystal vase on the table.
“These are beautiful.” I walk over to take a deep sniff of the fragrant blooms.
