Page 80 of The Risks of Reuniting

"She made a plumbing joke?" Lucy's voice flies higher with delight. "I didn't think he'd ever find someone like that."

"Right?" I lean back on my headboard. "So we're playing pickleball and she's off to the side, and Gavin launches into some big brother act, telling me how concerned he is about Holt's intentions, blah, blah, blah, and then he says it would be a waste of my time to be in North Carolina if Holt hasn't put a ring on it . . . because it's one thing to move for a boyfriend, but another to move for a husband."

Lucy gasps. "He said that? That's bold."

"Exactly. But before I could say anything, Alisha steps in and says, "So there's no point in going if they're not married?". And Gavin backpedals a little and says he doesn't want me to go without a thorough commitment, and Alisha says people can be committed without marriage, and that I shouldn't get married because of family pressures. Then, they're having an argument about marriage and what it means to both of them, while I stand there holding a pickleball paddle and praying Gavin doesn't mess this up because Alisha is honestly a goddess."

"Wow," she breathes. "I didn't know Gavin had it in him. He's usually such a goofball."

"I know. It was sweet, but annoying, because he's my older brother, you know?"

"As an only child I can't totally relate, but as his cousin I can see why you aren't looking for him to butt in. He's hanging in there, but he isn't a professional at life."

I laugh out loud at her description. Gavin has a job, a house, pays his bills, and seems to mostly function in the adult world, but he's a major weirdo. A lovable weirdo, but one who you half expect to be found dead in an alley for stealing someone's Guinea pig.

"Anyhow, in the end he said he's only looking out for me because he cares, which was sweet, but I kept waiting for a plumbing joke to drop."

"He didn't use one?"

"Nope. No jokes were made."

"All right. Unexpected, but not totally disappointing. I've heard hundreds at this point, and they aren't getting better." We both chuckle. "Alisha sounds cool. Do you think he'll bring her around the family any time soon?"

"I'm not sure, but I hope so. I'd love to have her as a sister-in-law."

The conversation flows to how she's doing, off on a big adventure to Prince Edward Island, shooting her shot at a big promotion and living her Anne dreams. She's just arrived, and things aren't off to a great start, but I encourage her the way she's always encouraged me. She's got this. She's Lucy-Freaking-Sinclair . . . and I'll never stop reminding her of that.

“Speaking of people you love to have around… how’s Shark Attack looking?” I ask.

Lucy groans and launches into a tirade on the absolute ridiculousness of running into her old nemesis in another country. I’d say it was a crazycoincidence… but after everything that happened with Holt and me, I think my brain is officially inanything can happenterritory. So, I just listen and laugh while she tells me all about her first few days on Prince Edward Island.

“You’ve got this Lucy,” I say, signing off. “Thatpromotion is as good as yours.”

“Thanks, Chloe. And you better tell me how Holt takes the news. I fully anticipate happy tears.”

“From me or him?”

“Oh, him. Definitely.”

Chapter 27

Holt

Chloe called me on my lunchbreak today, her voice giddy with some emotion I can't quite pinpoint. When she asked me to come for dinner tonight, I didn't hesitate for a second. I missed her yesterday and would see her every single night if I could.

I'm loving my internship, the networking, and the hands-on experience, but the best part of being back in Salt Lake is being back with my people. Having breakfast with my parents each morning has driven home how lonely I felt on the east coast. Knowing Chloe is a fifteen minute drive away, it's the icing on the cake. I want to pack all this up and have it in my life every day.

To be a doctor of pharmacy is my goal, but Chloe is my dream.

Chloe isn't really a girl who needs or wants flowers, but I'm carrying a small bouquet of tulips as I approach her door with butterflies in my stomach. My girl is on the other side.

Allie answers the door and her lips press flat when she sees me. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. "I hope you know what a gift you're getting," she says, and then her face softens into a smile as she steps aside to let me in. "She's upstairs." She points up and shuts the door behind me before she moves to the kitchen. "It's about to get real, my man."

I move curiously up the stairs to where Chloe's bedroom is, and when I step through the doorway I'm floored by the sight that greets me. Chloe is standing next to a pile of flat cardboard boxes, holding a roll of packing tape in one hand and a black marker in the other. Her face splits into a big smile, causing my heart to stutter a bit, as she sees both me and the flowers.

"Flowers?" She laughs. "I love them, thank you, baby."

"What's all this?" I ask, gesturing with my free hand toward the materials surrounding her.

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