True shook her head as Bonnie let out a boisterous laugh. Bonnie was the best hype woman in the game, always boosting True up to the stratosphere. A true bestie.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she drawled as an image of one particular Stone brother flashed before her eyes. She wouldn’t complain if Xavier Stone treated her like eye candy. He was hot enough to melt the snow in Alaska.
“Seriously, True. I know you never work out, so I think it’s safe to assume you hit the genetic lottery.” Bonnie let out a sound of disgust. “Which once again proves that life isn’t fair. I owe my physique to potato farmers in Ireland.”
True chuckled. “Both of my parents were total knockouts. Extremely easy on the eyes.” Her mom had been a plus-size queen with flawless mocha skin and a close-cropped Afro, while her dad had resembled a male model with hair flowing to his shoulders, a mahogany complexion, and muscles for days.
“Lou and Jessiewereboth smoking hot. I used to have the biggest crush on your dad,” Bonnie said, her voice sounding wistful. “I remember this one time he walked into the bowling alley wearing these tight Levi’s jeans. I swear he stayed in my dreams for weeks.”
True clapped her hands over her ears. “La la la la. TMI. I don’t want to hear another word about those jeans. Or any of your scandalous dreams. I’m serious.”
Bonnie smirked and wiggled her eyebrows. “Sorry, but I speak the truth. He was my first crush. But more than anything, I liked seeing them together. Watching him open doors for her or hold her hand made me believe I could have what they had someday.”
Tears pricked True’s eyes. She’d had no idea how impactful her folks had been. “Thanks, Bonnie.”
“For what?” Bonnie asked, sending her a quizzical look.
“Well, for starters, thanks for watching Jaylen tonight. And for talking to me about my parents.” She wiped a stray tear away from her cheek. “No one here in town ever does. It’s like everyone is so wrapped up in how they died, it’s impossible for them to remember how they lived.” A malfunction in a seaplane’s engine had taken them in the prime of their lives. Their deaths had rocked their small town, highlighting the fragility of life and showcasing the reality that tomorrows weren’t promised to anyone. Her parents had been beloved in Moose Falls, making the tragedy even more poignant.
Bonnie reached out and clasped True’s hand in hers. “Are you kidding me? Spending time with him is always a blast. As you know, he’s an amazing kid,” Bonnie said. “And that’s in large part due to you, True. You’ve been big sis, Mom and Dad, plus a soft place to fall all wrapped up in one.”
“You’re going to make me cry, which means you’ll have to do my makeup all over again.” Bonnie was masterful atblending eye shadow, creating a cat eye with eyeliner, and picking the perfect lipstick. She claimed to have learned her skills on TikTok and YouTube. If she started charging folks, Bonnie could have a nice side hustle.
Bonnie reached out and hugged her. “I’ll do your makeup one hundred times if you ask me to. I want you to shine tonight.” Her lips twitched. “It isn’t every day you get invited to the mayor’s mansion.”
“I wish you were attending too,” True said. The event would be a lot more fun with her BFF by her side. Although Bonnie was a good eleven years older than True, they had bonded at Northern Exposure over the past six years and become besties. Her friend had come to Moose Falls to evade a boyfriend who liked to use his fists on her when he got mad. Words couldn’t describe what Bonnie meant to True. She was the most loyal and generous person True had ever known. She hoped that one of these days Bonnie would get everything she deserved in this world.
“Honestly, I think that I got the better end of the deal, staying inside where it’s nice and cozy with the coolest kiddo in Alaska and ordering Thai food.” Bonnie made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on and get outta here so you’re not late. And remember, I want all the details.” Bonnie winked at her. “I wouldn’t complain if you snagged a few snaps of the Stone brothers while you’re at it.”
True laughed out loud at Bonnie’s outrageous request. She wasn’t going to embarrass herself by getting caught taking photos of Hattie’s smoking-hot grandsons. She could just see Xavier now looking at her with raised eyebrows.
True heeded Bonnie’s advice and hustled out of the house after quizzing Jaylen about his homework and kissing him on the forehead. She tried not to feel bad when Jaylen cuddled up to Bonnie on the sofa, appearing as happy as akid on Christmas morning. He had barely seemed to notice her exit.He’s growing up, she reminded herself.And pretty soon I’m going to have to share him with the world. Sports. Dates. College.It was all coming at her with the force of a rushing river. Sometimes True just wanted everything to slow down. Or maybe she was afraid of being alone. Jaylen had filled a huge void in her life after the death of her parents. Raising him had been a distraction from grief.
As she drove up to the mayor’s mansion, True let out a contented sigh. The driveway leading to the mansion was lit up with sparkling lights strewn across Sitka trees and mounds of snow. The building itself was an architectural dream. Marble columns stood on either side of the entrance. Two brass knockers in the shape of bald eagles decorated the door. The Alaskan flag flew proudly from a spot above the balcony.
After parking her truck in the designated area, True made her way over to the mansion. Thankfully, she’d decided to wear her XTRATUF boots until she got inside. Otherwise she’d be slipping and sliding all over the place in snow and slush.
True let out a gasp as soon as the attendant opened the doors and ushered her inside. She caught sight of the magnificent spiral staircase and the gleaming black-and-white marble floors. She had only been here once before for a business workshop, and the place had lived rent-free in her head ever since. Although she would never admit it to a single soul, True had fantasized about getting married here in a simple yet romantic ceremony filled with loved ones, close friends, and lots of forget-me-nots, the official Alaska state flower. She wasn’t a very sentimental person, so this particular dream always managed to take her by surprise.
Shoot. In her rush to leave the house, she’d left her bag with the heels. They were sitting on her entryway table. Nowshe would have to walk around the reception in her sturdy winter boots. Either that or simply go with stockinged feet. The hell with it. She was going to rock her winter boots. Maybe everyone would think it was a deliberate fashion choice instead of a faux pas.
A confident woman can pull off anything.
Pearls of wisdom from her mentor and the woman who had invited her to the mayor’s mansion this evening. Hattie Stone. True didn’t think her friend had ever lacked bravado a day in her life. Hattie was the fiercest woman she had ever known. Businesswoman. Creator. True wanted to be just like her when she grew up. With the exception of her complex familial relationships. True didn’t know the truth behind Hattie’s estrangement from her grandsons, but twenty years was a long time for them to be MIA.
True checked her jacket with the coatroom attendant, then stashed the ticket in the small evening bag that by some miracle matched her dress to perfection. In keeping with Hattie’s motto, True glided into the room as if she were the special guest of the evening. Two steps into the room, and True clapped eyes on one of the guests of honor. Xavier!
She hadn’t been wrong in her initial assessment of him. Not one little bit. He looked even more handsome than she’d originally thought, decked out in a dark suit and a crisp white shirt. And he was heading straight toward her. Suddenly her palms moistened, and she lost her train of thought. Not even Garrett had made her feel this type of nervousness mixed with anticipation. A gut rush.
He stopped in front of her, greeting her with a wide smile that showcased perfect teeth. “Hey there, True. Nice to see you again.”
He remembered her name. Why did that make her feel giddy? And her pulse was racing.
“Hey, hotshot. Fancy meeting you here.”
Xavier frowned at her. “If it’s all the same, I prefer my given name. Xavier.” He winced. “Hotshotreminds me of my old football coach. That’s what he called me. And it wasn’t a good nickname. He thought I was a showboat.”
She quirked her mouth. “And were you?”
