Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“My schedule freed up.” I collect her in my arms, lifting her small body off the ground and spinning her in the air, like I used to when she was little. She’s still wearing the same braids as she did back then.
“Stop! You’re gonna make me barf.”
“Just do it before you get in his car,” I joke, setting her back down.
A familiar freckled face is behind her. “Hey, Ronan!”
“Dani.” I pull her into my chest in a hug, resting my chin on the top of her head. “Damn, how long has it been?”
“Three years, I think?”
“You haven’t changed a bit. Still pale-ass. You’re gonna burn in this sun.” I yank on her strawberry blond ponytail, earning her giggle as she pulls away.
“Your hair is longer.”
“Yeah.” I reach up to push a hand through it. “Might shave it again. It’s hot here.”
But Dani’s head is shaking fervently as she peers up at me. “No, this suits you. It looks good.” Her cheeks flush.
It seems her crush has not faded yet.
“Finally, Little Lyle.” Connor’s deep voice booms behind me
“Connor, this is my sister, Britt, and her best friend, Dani, who is like a sister to me.” Even if she’s looking at me in a very non-sibling way.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” Britt holds a hand out.
Connor cringes at it. “What? No.”
Before Britt can register his words, he has her in a bear hug, rocking back and forth like a child squeezing its favorite stuffed animal.
When she peels away from him, she’s laughing.
Dani gets the same treatment.
“All right, all right. Greetings are over.” I know Connor too well to be comfortable with his hands all over them.
“Welcome to Mermaid Beach.” Connor throws a meaty arm around each of their shoulders and leads them toward Darla. “Gosh, we’re gonna have so much fun.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get the bags.” I shake my head at his back. He’s trying to get under my skin; that’s all this is. He wouldn’t try anything on either of them.
Fuck.
Would he?
“Ronan!” a familiar voice calls out.
I turn around, and there she is: Tasha, my first love, the woman who crushed my heart.
Holy shit. She’s actually here.
She looks the same and yet different. Still tall and willowy, her crop top showing off a hard stomach. That featherlight brunette hair I used to love fisting is cut to her chin. It suits her.
With a wide grin, she leaves her spot by the limousine that her friends are climbing into—I recognize some of their faces—and rushes over, plowing into my body.
It’s a beat before I return the hug, shocked to be seeing her again.
“It’s so good to see you,” she purrs in my ear.
“You too,” I manage. I used to know this body so thoroughly. She doesn’t feel the same, though. She doesn’t feel right.
Not like Sloane’s body feels right.
With one last tight squeeze, she pulls back but stays well within my personal space, her hands landing on my biceps. “You look amazing. You’ve been working out.”
“Yeah, I needed another addiction since I quit smoking.” I’ve been slacking a bit lately, but now that I’ve got more time, I can get back to the gym and running.
“You quit? Good for you.” Her hazel-green eyes sparkle. “So, you came to greet me?”
“Giving Britt and Dani a ride.” I toss a thumb behind me.
“Oh, right. Of course. I’m so dumb.” She laughs at herself. “Well, come and say hi to everyone!” Her hand slides down, fitting into mine as she attempts to tug me toward the limo.
“Actually, how about I meet you at the front of the hotel. I’m heading that way anyway, and these parking attendants are eyeing us.” I slip my hand out of hers and move backward toward Darla. “It’s a fifteen-minute drive. Twenty, tops.”
“Okay? See you there.” With a lightning-fast scan of my body, she strolls back to the limo, her hips swinging with each stride of her lengthy legs.
I climb into the passenger side of the Bronco. And groan.
“You, my friend, have a Valkyrie sitch right there.” Connor points to the limo.
“Yeah. I’m gettin’ that.” And the sooner I shut it down, the better, but in front of the airport didn’t seem like the right place.
Britt leans in, her arm draped over Connor’s seat. “What’s a Valkyrie sitch?”
“It means she’s making moves to ride your brother’s dick—”
“Con!” I bellow at the same time that Britt yells, “Gross!”
With a grin, Connor shifts into gear. “Buckle up, Little Lyle.”
“Get moving!” A security officer slaps our hood.
“I’m movin’! Don’t fucking touch her!” Connor roars before pulling away from the curb, his glower aimed at the skinny man as we pass. Thankfully, his anger fades as quickly as it came. “What are you gonna do about the ex this weekend? Obviously, she can’t stay at the house now.”
“The fuck if I know.”
“Why can’t Tasha stay there?” Britt asks.