Page 96 of Paging Dr. Summers

“I think that might do the trick,” Brooke breathed out.

She tugged her off-the-shoulder tee down just enough to reveal the ink—a bold black script reading,The Roxannes. Her skin, as always, was warm, smooth, and inviting.

I leaned in, letting my lips graze the tattoo. Goose bumps rose under my touch, and she gasped.

“Is that better?” I whispered.

“Much better,” she replied, her voice barely audible.

“Anything else I can do for you that won’t get me fired?” I teased, but I knew if she asked me to, I’d cross the line for her and not regret it.

Her infectious laugh filled the room. “Well, now that you mention it, I was thinking we should finally complete our bucket list.”

I did a quick mental inventory of the list, thinking we had completed each item, but we had left one unchecked. The most important one.

My hands cradled her face, my thumbs caressing her blushing cheeks. “Are you finally ready to check number one off the list?”

She nodded, her gaze penetrating my own. “I think I know where I belong.”

I leaned in closer, my grip on her tightening. “And where’s that?”

Her lips parted just slightly, as if she needed a breath before saying it aloud. “With you.”

I closed the gap between us and brushed her lips with my own. “I love you, Brooke.”

“I love you. And with this new job of mine, it looks like I can probably still afford to rent the cottage.”

I was so proud of her. SoundWave had been so blown away by her recent podcast episode that they’d sent her an offer almost immediately.

“Is that so?”

“How would you feel about me continuing to be your neighbor?” she asked coyly, her fingers tugging on my shirt.

I let out a small chuckle. “It’s worked out pretty well so far.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” She giggled. “I just have one more question for you.”

“What color dragon I would want?” I joked.

She shook her head, her laughter fading into something more serious. “No, this is important.”

Her tone caught me off guard. I straightened, all ears.

“What are we going to do to make this relationship work when things get hard?”

Her question took me aback, but I loved her honesty. And she was right to ask because as good as relationships can be in the beginning, the honeymoon phase never lasted. But I also knew that as good as things can be in the beginning, when you’re with the right person, better things are still to come. And I knew Brooke and I were in store for that kind of relationship. With her, the best was yet to come.

I leaned my forehead against hers and breathed her in. “We fight like hell for each other. Always.”

“Always,” she echoed.

I was glad she agreed because someday I planned to make her more than just my neighbor.

I SNUGGLED BACK AGAINST LOGAN in front of the firepit on his deck, letting the warmth of him and the flames sink in. The cool fall evening air nipped at my cheeks while we listened to the lapping of the waves against the shore and enjoyed the sun painting the water in shades of orange and pink. I still couldn’t believe this place was my home.

As beautiful as summer was in Aspen Lake, fall was proving to be just as enchanting. The aspen trees had all turned to gold, their shimmering leaves like coins dancing in the breeze.

“I hope Eden’s okay tonight.” She and Sophie had just left for the birthday party of Eden’s ex-boyfriend’s daughter, Poppy. Sophie and Poppy had become BFFs. Crazy, right? Eden and Sophie were still staying with Logan, as Eden was trying to find the right fit for them. I, for one, was glad they were still there. I loved seeing them every day.

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