Page 131 of Bennett

Laurel joined them, brows raised. “Okay, what’s going on?”

“Oh, good, you’re here,” Rylee said, eyes twinkling as she held up a swatch card and a cinnamon twist. “We’re talking design, pastries, and impending chaos.”

Laurel scratched her temple. “You’re in your element.”

“I know.” Rylee took a bite of the pastry, then leaned closer, her voice dropping. “I’m just excited about Jenna’s arrival.”

Since those two were childhood friends, Rylee’s excitement made sense. But the sparkle in her eyes said there was a lot more to it. “And?”

“And Jenna always had a crush on my thick-headed brother,” Rylee replied.

“We still talking about Josh? Because Gabe fits that bill too.” Laurel grinned.

Rylee snorted. “So true. But yeah—Josh.”

“Go on,” Annie urged. “Tell her the good part.”

“Neither Jenna nor Josh knows the other one lives in Harland yet.”

Laurel blinked. “Oh, wow.”

She almost felt sorry for Jenna. Even though they hadn’t met in person yet, Laurel felt like she knew her from their Zoom calls and emails.

Rylee beamed. “They don’t have a clue. It’s going to be delicious.”

Annie huffed a laugh. “You’re a menace.”

“And proud,” Rylee said, taking another bite. “I’m just here for the drama, the coffee, and the baked goods.”

Laurel shook her head, laughing. “God help us if their first run-in happens in this shop.”

“Please let me be here when it happens,” Annie said.

“No worries. Laurel has cameras, remember?” Rylee grinned.

Laurel huffed out a laugh. “Think my aunt’s right.”

By the time Laurel made it back to the front of the shop, the others had scattered, deep in conversations and pastries.

And there was Bennett, leaning casually against a large canvas-draped object in her favorite corner, a sexy grin on his face. Her heart skipped a beat as she neared. He was so damn handsome, and she was so damn lucky.

A smile tugged the corner of her mouth. “What are you up to?”

“I got you a present.” He straightened, then reached for the edge of the canvas and pulled it free with a single, smooth motion.

Beneath it stood a tall, beautifully handcrafted corner bookshelf—warm wood with clean lines, deep shelves, and her initials carved into a small heart on one of the back panels. Subtle. Thoughtful. Stunning.

Laurel’s breath caught. “Bennett…”

“Figured a place like this deserved something permanent,” he said quietly. “Something made to last.”

She lifted a hand to slowly brush her fingers across the smooth edge of a shelf. “You built this?”

He nodded. “Cut the wood last week from Mac’s place. Finished it yesterday at Harper’s wood shop.”

Harper was the girlfriend of another ESI teammate. Laurel was still learning everyone’s names and faces, but she knew the man in front of her very well.

He was too good to her. Too good for her.

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