Page 66 of Feels Like Falling
And until recently, we’d managed to keep our ownership of the multimillion-dollar company under wraps. Some days I still couldn’t believe that we’d pulled it off—kept pulling it off and continued to grow despite being two guys who’d never had the heart to leave the land they’d inherited.
“I think the real miracle is that you were able to deliver that line hardly blushing at all.”
Archer rolls his eyes. “I sent you the listing with all the properties available from here to Nashville. More than a few that would work for us.”
“I’ll take a look tonight and we can set it up,” I finish as Bea and Ellison turn back to join us.
“I really do appreciate this, Montana,” Bea says as she rests her hand on my forearm. “And whatever soaps, lotions, you name it—they’re yours.”
“It’s…” I look at Ellison out of the corner of my eye. “It’s fine. Grandad likes that lavender one you make.”
“Of course.” She nods as she settles against Archer’s side, his arm coming around her with an ease I’ve only ever seen when he’s with her. “We need to stop at your house before we go to mine tonight.”
“Wait,” Ellison says as she stares at them. “I thought y’all lived together?”
This time, it’s Bea whose cheeks heat. “Not yet,” she says with a smile. “I was engaged before I moved here and it didn’t end well, and while Archer isnothinglike my ex, we’ve been taking it slow.”
Ellison gives me the side-eye. “Are we doin’ it wrong, Max?” she asks, but the smile stretching across her face tells me there’s no way she thinks we’re doing it wrong.
Especially after last night.
Thank God.
But now all I’m thinking about isdoing itand,fuck,the fact that she already promised to be naked when I got home.
And now I’m half-hard just thinkin’ about it.
“I think you make your own rules, Eddie.”
She grins. “But how come you don’t want to stay at my place?”
“For starters, you moved half your shit into my bedroom your third day here—not to mention that damn Christmas card that keeps reappearing no matter how many times I throw it out.”
“Christmas card?” Bea asks quietly.
“It’s hilarious; I’ll show you later,” Archer says with a snicker.
I narrow my gaze at him before turning my attention back to Ellison. “Besides, I’m not really up for a repeat of your father cockblocking us anytime soon.”
Bea’s eyes widen, and Ellison raises a shoulder and then lets it drop. “Agreed. Especially because you made me use my key instead of crawling through your window the next night.” Bea’s gaze bounces between us like she can’t quite tell if we’re joking. We’re not. “On the plus side, Dad hasn’t come back to the cottage unannounced after that incident.”
“It’s been like thirty-six hours,” I grumble as Archer looks wearily at me.
“I saw him talking to Arden James at the coffee shop. That’s weird, right?” he asks, and something niggles in the back of my mind. Evan Mills is still on my shit list, so I can’t distinguish which thoughts are rational as they race through my head.
“She reached out to me wanting to do a piece on the farm and our experimental pesticide success.”
My gaze slides to Ellison who frowns. “He said that a reporter reached out to him—it’s what got the ball rolling on him filing for divorce. Could it be a coincidence?”
“I dunno, Eddie.”
“I feel like you and I should talk—over coffee or wine, your choice,” Bea says as her head tilts to the side, her attention ping-ponging between us. My girl smiles widely and nods her gratitude at the reprieve evident.
“Look, Max, my second friend! I’ve madetwo friendssince I’ve been back!” I chuckle even though my heart hurts for her. She’s making it a joke, but underneath I know she’s truly excited about the prospect of having people other than me in her corner—people who are invested in her and not just because of me.
For all her bravado, she’s still just a girl who’s never been able to take anyone at face value. There were always ulterior motives and backhanded compliments just this side ofbless your heart.
I’d never blessed anyone’s heart, but the people Mr. and Mrs. Mills exposed their daughter to made me want to wipe out every other word in my vocabulary but those three.
