Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Rio’s gaze met hers. The sternness in his demeanor made her stand taller. Slowly, he shook his head. Amber returned his warning with a small, dismissive gesture. He wasn’t in charge of her. Instantly, she knew that had been the wrong thing to do.
“Your strawberry daiquiri,” a waitress at her elbow commented.
Amber broke her connected gaze with Rio to look at the frosty glass and then back at the young, smiling woman. “Thank you,” she answered on autopilot.
“Harper, Rio sent you your favorite—a vanilla rum and diet Coke,” she announced, handing over the other glass.
“Thank him for me, Monica,” Harper said sweetly.
“That daiquiri looks so good. I’m off to sweet talk Rio into making one for me,” one of her cheer squad members said as she walked away. The others streamed after her.
After taking a sip of her strawberry concoction, Amber slapped her hand over her mouth as laughter burst from her lips. He’d sent her a drink with no alcohol, just as he’d always done when she was a kid. Merriment glittered in her eyes as she met Rio’s glance once again.
“Look, there’s Maisie and Beau. He picked her up at the airport,” Harper said as she pointed toward the door. A second later, she was on the move, followed closely by Amber.
“Maisie! Beau! You both look so good. Love the silver fox look, Beau. And Maisie, you could have stepped right off the cover of Vogue,” Amber shared before pulling the slight figure in for a hug.
“Thank goodness I have a wardrobe person who picks out clothes for me. Otherwise, I’d wear a lab coat with jeans,” Maisie said with a laugh.
“Now you, Harper, look like a million bucks. How can you have kids drooling over you all day long and still have that sweet look on your face?” Maisie wondered as she embraced Harper.
“Oh, you’re just being nice. I’m so glad to see you both,” Harper cheered, and gave Beau a bear hug before pulling back awkwardly. “Sorry. Is it bad to touch you?”
“Touch me?” Beau echoed, looking confused.
“She’s worried about the media that buzzes you like a hornet’s nest,” Maisie guessed tartly.
“You can hug me anytime, Harper. Come here, you,” Beau said to Amber and pulled her close.
“Well, well, well. The gang’s all here. Except for the famous country star. He’s too busy to come, I guess. Like Harper’s imaginary boyfriend,” Miranda’s acerbic voice observed from behind them.
“Good grief, are you still so constipated that you treat people like shit?” Maisie’s voice carried over the crowd.
“It’s okay, Maisie. I don’t know why Miranda is so worried about my love life.” Harper didn’t say anymore, but from the steam rising from Miranda’s carefully stretched face, she’d struck a nerve.
A flurry of motion at the door signaled the arrival of someone who everyone remembered. Colt paused just inside the doors to search for someone. Spotting Harper, he made a beeline to her side.
“Hi, Angel.” Colt wrapped his arms around Harper without looking at anyone else, pulled her into his arms, and pressed his lips to hers. “I’m sorry I am late.”
Amber’s eyelashes almost sizzled away from the heat of that kiss he apologized to Harper with. What is going on?
She looked at Maisie and Beau to judge their reaction and would have loved a picture of Maisie’s gaping mouth and Beau’s complete lack of reaction. He really has this politician thing down.
When he lifted his head, Colt shared, “The tour bus driver got slowed down by the traffic on the highway. I was about ready to jump out and run when it finally cleared.”
“Colt Ziegler is your imaginary boyfriend?” Miranda gasped in shock before shaking her head. “I don’t buy that!”
“Sorry?” Colt looked at her with confusion written on his face. “Are you one of our class?” He even scanned her nametag and no recognition showed on his face.
“Colt! I’m Miranda Teasdale. I led the Dragonettes.”
“I thought Amber was the head cheerleader,” Colt answered with a shake of his head.
“The Dragonettes. I led the dance team,” Miranda retorted.
“Oh. That makes sense. I was always in the locker room when you all did your thing,” Colt said dismissively before turning to shake Beau’s hand. His broad shoulders blocked Miranda from the group.
“I’ve been watching the polls. It looks like you are a shoo-in for the Senate,” Colt congratulated him, ignoring the woman behind him.
“Keep your fingers crossed for me, Colt. It’s good to see you in person rather than on TV,” Beau answered with a smile.
“And you two! Are you finally moving home?” Colt asked, stepping forward to hug Maisie and Amber before returning to Harper and pulling her close to his side. When she shifted away, he tightened his grip and gave her a look that seemed very recognizable to Amber. Pure Daddy.
“I just took a job at General Hospital,” Amber admitted.