Page 32 of The Lost Book of First Loves

His ranch bordered her dad’s land on the other side from Beck Hunter’s. “Yes.”

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other. Oh, hey. I’m sorry about your dad. I didn’t hear about it until it was too late to go to his memorial service.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Would there come a point in her life when thoughts of Carson didn’t hit her like an avalanche of rock and debris?

She hoped not.

“It’s so great to see you, Ali. You look amazing!”

She could feel herself flush at the admiration in his gaze. If he had once looked at her like that when they were in high school, she would have been ecstatic.

“Scott. It’s good to see you, too.”

“Likewise,” Xander said, his voice desert dry, though she didn’t think Clint noticed.

He waved to them both and headed for the cashier up front. Ali felt silly and breathless, as if she had ridden her horse down a steep embankment.

“He doesn’t seem to have changed much.” Xander’s voice was carefully neutral, as it always was when it came to Clint.

No, she thought as she watched him walk out of the restaurant with his lean-hipped walk that was almost a swagger. He hadn’t changed much. He looked as good as ever.

“Looks like your summer is shaping up nicely.”

She sent Xander a sharp look. “Why? Because Clint Maclean smiled at me? Give me a break, Xan. I’m older and wiser these days.”

She was grateful he didn’t point out that she was staring at Clint’s ass.

“So what are you looking for now in a guy?”

“More than a cute smile and a wicked curveball.”

That surprised a laugh out of him and she couldn’t help thinking that when it came to cute smiles, Clint had nothing on Xander. All those years of wearing the braces he had hated had definitely been good to him.

She knew his videos weren’t only popular because of his dreamy destinations or the beautiful women who accompanied him. Xan emanated a sincere kind of charm that had always drawn people to him, and that came through unmistakably in his videos.

Yes, the years had been kind to him but she had always refused to let herself see Xander in a romantic light. They weren’t that kind of friends.

More to the point,hedidn’t look atherin a romantic light. Judging by his travel companions, Xander was more interested in lush, gorgeous model-types who spoke with sexy accents and gazed at him lovingly through the camera.

To her relief, the server brought their food before he could press her about what shedidwant in a romantic relationship.

“How are things working out with your houseguest?” he asked after taking a bite out of his BLT.

“Fine so far.” June had been staying at the cabin for several days and seemed to be settling in.

“I stopped by to check on her before I came here to meet up with you. She’s not supposed to drive for another week so I asked her if she wanted to come into town with me for a change of scenery. She was reading something from my dad’s library and said she was fine. I love that she’s such a fan of his.”

He gave her a careful look. “When are you going to tell her the truth about your DNA match?”

She looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. The last thing she needed was for word to get back to Loretta before Alison had a chance to tell her grandmother herself.

“I don’t know. You and Beckett are both pushing me on it.But like I told him, the woman just had a life-changing cardiac event. I don’t think she needs this kind of shocking news right now, while she’s still healing.”

“Is it really your place to make that decision for her?”

“Yes! I’m her sister!”

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