Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Wrap him around me, his leather and scent enveloping me as I tilt into his arms.
That heavy coat is so large it dwarfs me and I don’t mind one bit.
Then he pulls back.
“What about you?” I finger the collar, turning to face him shyly.
“I’ve got my police jacket,” he says gruffly, tugging it down from the hook and sliding into it with a flex of his chest so strong it looks like he could snap the buttons right off. He gives me another fierce, guarded look that sets off butterflies. “Let’s go.”
No argument here.
Nell and I exchange an almost conspiratorial look.
She slips her little hand into mine, and I slide mine into Grant’s arm again. We step out into the night like this is the new normal.
Our normal, period.
Like somehow, it’s just this easy, falling into this patchwork family.
I try not to think too hard about what that might mean.
The ride to the restaurant—a local steakhouse—is quiet and comfortable.
Nell carries on a conversation with Mr. Pickle in the back. Apparently, she doesn’t want us knowing his business, frequently bending and whispering in the unicorn’s ear.
I alternate between watching her in the rearview mirror and watching Grant next to me.
Every now and then, I catch him watching me, too.
Dinner is lively, mostly gentle teasing and trying to keep Nell from splattering herself with steak sauce.
I almost don’t taste my food, not when I’m so alive in this happy moment, this feeling of togetherness like we all belong at this table.
Once we’re done stuffing ourselves, we get out just in time to head to the movies.
It’s a short drive, and soon we’re surrounded by the buttery scent of movie theatre popcorn and pretzels.
In the concession line, Grant pulls Nell up on his shoulders so he doesn’t lose her in the ballooning late night crowd. Another thing that never changes in Redhaven.
The theatre always turns into a madhouse in the fall, the cooler weather driving people in.
It’s the usual townsfolk doubled by tourists coming for a quiet date night in our rustic little theatre that still looks like it belongs to the Vaudeville era.
How many hours of my life did I spend in this place growing up?
Usually tagging along with Ethan and Grant—and just as often sandwiched between them so I could have my two favorite men to myself.
As we file off to the room marked on our tickets, we exchange a fond look.
I think he’s remembering older, easier days, too.
It’s like stepping back in time, but this time without the charged, uncertain potential of our younger selves.
Now, we’re all grown up and so many things are set in stone.
But it doesn’t bother me tonight.
Not with him.
It’s also no surprise when Nell parks herself between us.
We trade indulgent looks over her head.
So much for make-out sessions.
Not long after the previews, Grant presses one big hand over Nell’s eyes and leans across her to brush his lips on mine over her head, lingering in a way that heightens all the sweetness inside.
“Later,” he promises against my lips, mostly mouthing the words.
A vow that reaches down inside me, stoking a wildfire.
And I shiver from the hot flash before settling down with Nell happily snuggled between us and already sleepy. Her small head falls against my shoulder and her feet spill over the side onto Grant.
I never thought I’d have this much fun watching a kids’ movie.
It’s another movie with the squeaky yellow things in overalls. There’s got to be like thirty of them by now, yet Nell wakes up and laughs with delight like she’s seeing their antics for the first time.
But I’m honestly more entertained by Grant’s scowling.
He watches the film like it’s personally offending him with how illogically silly it is, only for his glower to soften whenever Nell kicks her feet and giggles.
I don’t know how I hold it in.
It’s the sweetest first date ever, this little girl tugging at my heartstrings and that big lunk making me so warm every time he snorts and shakes his head like it weighs a ton.
Halfway through the film, his arm stretches across the back of Nell’s seat so his forearm rests lightly on my shoulders. Grant walks his fingers up and down my arm, something I can feel even through the thick jacket.
I love this vibe.
This quiet, simple thing might be the cure I need.
Erasing all the pain, all the hurt, all the bad memories of this town for just one night, making this place feel like home again.
My face hurts from smiling by the time the movie ends.
It’s like the first half of the day never happened.
I never thought I could go so easily from feeling so upset, so hurt, to so enchanted.
Like all my problems fade away into a dream and soon I’m back where I belong.
Nell looks hilariously drowsy by the time the lights come up. Toward the end of the movie her shrieking laughter died down to a quiet smile.