Page 67 of Wild Ever After
“They’ll be fine. We’ll just be gone for a bit.” I take one more peek at Declan, this time he’s looking my way and our eyes connect for the briefest moment. “Come on. We’ll be back before they even realize we’re gone.”
I know that is unlikely, but I need more space between Declan and me. Why did I have to start falling for my husband?
We all crowd onto Leo’s golf cart, sitting on laps in the front and the back, as Scarlett drives us down a path, toward a private lake on Jack’s property. She parks under a tree that has an old, weathered Wildcat jersey hanging from a branch.
“This is it,” she says, locking the brake.
“Wow.” Kota mouths. “I had no idea this was back here.” She lifts up on her toes and points. “I think I can see my house from here.”
She and Maverick bought a house not far from the street that Declan, Ash, Leo, and Jack live on. I haven’t seen it in person, but the pictures look gorgeous. It still trips me up that me and all my friends live in these big, beautiful houses that I only ever dreamed of as a kid.
My mom always managed to put a roof over our heads, but we stayed in a lot of places that were no bigger than Declan’s living room.
We turn on some music and sit on the grass near the water, and the conversation flows from Dakota and Maverick’s house remodel to Scarlett and Leo’s wedding date (they still haven’t nailed it down) to Piper and Tyler’s planned elopement next spring.
I’m happy for my friends and happy to talk about all that’s going on in their lives instead of mine.
Our happy bubble is invaded by the sound of another vehicle approaching. We turn to see some of the guys heading down on golf carts.
“Looks like we brought the party to us,” Scarlett says, happiness evident in her smile and the way she stands to greet Leo.
Sure enough, the guys have blankets and coolers and a couple of speakers that quickly drown out our music. Tyler and Maverick, even Ash, hop off the carts and start toward us.
Each of my friends gets up to say hello to their guy. In the distance, a couple more carts are coming, and I hold my breath as I wait to see if Declan is with them.
When it’s clear he isn’t coming, I stand and go to Scarlett. I tap her shoulder to get her attention.
“Can I take your cart back to the house?”
“Yeah. Is everything okay?” Her brows knit together.
“Yeah.” An excited smile pulls my lips apart. “Everything is great.”
“Keys are in it.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand before I jog off.
My heart races as I head back to the house.Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone.
The sun has set, but Jack has lights strung up around the yard, giving me enough light to search for his dark head.
I find him in a circle of young guys, not far from where he was standing when I left. His back is to me, so he can’t see me approach.
Even so, when I get within six feet of him, he turns like he knew I was coming. A hint of surprise crosses his face as his lips pull into a smile. He takes a step in my direction, but then pauses and lets me close the space between us.
He didn’t come after me. He knew I needed space. Maybe what he said about knowing exactly the kind of woman I am was true. He always seems to know what I need even before I do. The man has the patience of a freaking saint, and I’m tired of overthinking it. I like him. He likes me. And I want to jump his bones immediately.
Stepping to him, I cup his cheek and lift up on my toes to bring my mouth to his. His surprise is short-lived and then he’s kissing me back like he hasn’t seen me in days, instead of hours.
Dropping back to the heels of my feet, I open my eyes and look up at him. “Hey.”
“Hey.” His voice is gruff but laced with humor. “What was that for?”
“For being you.”
One side of his mouth lifts higher.
“Having fun?” I ask.
“Yeah. I’m having a pretty good time. You?”
