Page 72 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

“So, Daisy,” Dani said, leaning in conspiratorially, “have you two made any plans for the wedding yet?”

Daisy felt a nervous flutter, thinking of the lies accumulating between her and her new friends. Would they understand why when it was all over? “Oh, we haven’t really had time to think about it yet. We’ve just been so busy with the house and the show…”

But even as she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Hunter. He was laughing, his head thrown back as Evan attempted to tackle him. Jude joined in, and soon all three were a tangle of limbs and laughter on the grass. The sight made her heart swell, and suddenly, she could see it all so clearly.

She imagined Hunter standing at the end of a long aisle, his broad shoulders clad in a black tux, his brothers lined up in support for the man who never let them down. She imagined the look on his face as she stepped through the door, and the way her hands would tremble when she placed them in his. She could see it so clearly, she could practically smell the flowers, hear the bells.

“No…” she repeated distantly. “No plans yet.”

But maybe someday…“Sorry,” Daisy said, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. “I guess I got a little distracted. But enough about me—what about you and Liam?”

“We’re working on it,” she replied warmly. “Planning a spring wedding.”

“And you?” Daisy asked Lily.

Lily sighed. “We just resurrected my family’s fudge shop, and Declan and I are just so busy running it that we haven’t had a chance to set a date. All I know is that I can’t wait to marry that man.” With a smile, her eyes landed in the vicinity of her fiancé, who was currently running back to the starting line, a grin plastered on his face.

The sun continued to warm the field as the game went on. Dani and Mia told her all about the island, pointing out members of the community across the crowded park. They filled her in on the Grand Sullivan Hotel renovation, and Mia even touched on her children adapting to the new man in her life after the death of her husband over two years ago.

This town had been through so much. And yet they loved so easily.

Daisy wanted that.

But there was always that voice reminding her of the brutal truth. People don’t just love you. Not without you earning it.

It was a lovely idea though.

A cheer erupted, and Daisy’s gaze snapped to the game. Hunter was backpedaling, his eyes on the sky as the football soared toward him. He jumped. Caught the ball. And landed in the makeshift end zone, securing the win for his team.

The field exploded with cheers, and Hunter, flushed with victory and exertion, scanned the crowd until his eyes locked with Daisy’s. A broad grin split his face, and he took off toward her.

Daisy stood, waiting for him. And when Hunter reached her, he swept her into his arms, lifting her off the ground. She laughed, head falling back as they spun.

“Kiss her!” someone shouted—it sounded suspiciously like Waylen.

Hunter’s eyes held hers, the world fading around them, and he lowered her feet to the ground but kept going, dipping her back as he stole a celebratory kiss.

And the crowd went wild.

ChapterSixteen

The game was over, but there was still one more win Hunter had to secure. He just had to find the right moment to talk to his grandpa.

Hunter held the door open for Daisy as they entered Martha’s on Main, the warmth and aroma of roasted turkey immediately enveloping them. The diner, though small, was already bustling with activity, filled with locals and visitors alike, who had lingered after the football game for Martha’s annual Thanksgiving dinner.

The tables that were usually peppered throughout the floor, between the booths and the bar, were now pulled into two banquet-style lines, jammed end to end with chairs.

“Ey-yo, over here!” Evan’s voice boomed from the far end of one of the long tables.

Hunter slipped his hand into Daisy’s, leading her through the crowded diner.

“Saved you a spot,” Jude said, scooting over to make room, and Hunter stepped back, letting Daisy shimmy in first. Miles and Waylen wedged themselves next to the wall on the opposite side, and Grandpa took the spot on the end.

A minute later, Dad stepped into the diner, his eyes searching the crowd.

“Joe!” Daisy shouted, her volume matching anything his brothers could muster up, and Hunter chuckled. He might make a Barrett out of her after all.

Dad took the remaining chair next to Grandpa.

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