Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
My phone pings in my hand as I sit in my parked car at the end of her drive alerting me to another text from Steve: That’s my two cents anyway. He’s gone, she’s single, go for it.
This is a small town and no one ever really leaves, so it’s surprising Tommy settled down up north. Maybe I should send him a thank you card, I think as I glance between my phone and Bree’s front door.
I think I just might, I text Tommy as if I’m not parked in her driveway as we speak.
The corner of my lip picks up into an asymmetric grin, knowing there shouldn’t be any issues. Steve would have given me the heads up if there was anything to worry about. In a small town, there’s always someone spreading gossip or starting up shit. There’s always someone who has feelings for someone else or toes being stepped on as a new lover comes in.
The unnecessary bullshit is why I left this place but I missed my family, my friends… and it’s home. This small town will always be home for me.
“Bennet,” a feminine voice calls out and I glance across the paved street to a raised ranch on Cedar Lane. The porch swing rocks as someone raises a glass to me and across her two other women wave. All the while, my eyes are drawn to a beautiful woman in an easy sundress and heels, covering her face as if she’s embarrassed by her friends.
My smile widens, Bree. Just as I open the door, my phone pings again and it’s Steve: You always had a crush on her, didn’t you?
We all knew on the team
Well no one told me, I quickly type out and before I can add that I’m with her now, he texts: Pretty sure you knew you had a crush on her.
Bree’s heels drown out the chuckle that leaves me and I slip my phone in my pocket just in time to look up and see her only a foot away.
“Just let me run in and grab my purse,” she motions towards the door as an easy breeze blows by and my heart skips a beat. I give her a short nod and take in every inch of her.
There’s something that stirs inside of me, telling me this was meant to be. A little deja vu, like in some other life, it wouldn’t be our first date, this would have been a normal day for us. I get home from work, she slips off her friend’s porch to greet me with a kiss.
No kiss for me though, instead I get a gorgeous view of her beautiful backside as she turns to head towards the door.
“She looks breathtaking doesn’t she?” Lauren calls out from the porch. I’m not sure if it’s her house or one of the two other women, Marlena and … someone I don’t quite recognize from a distance but I bet if I heard her voice, I’d know who it is.
We all grew up together and names and stories have flooded me this week since I’ve been back.
“She does,” I rock on my heels, raising my voice so Lauren can hear me and just as I slip my hands into my pocket, I hear a small squeal and a thud and turn to see Bree, face down on the sidewalk.
The peanut gallery lets out a collective groan and one of them comments just loud enough that I can hear, “Shit, that had to hurt.”
With quick strides I head to Aubrey, who’s grimacing but trying to play it off.
“What happened?”
“I just…” she starts and then winces and grabs her ankle.
“You fell?” I question and check the ground for what she tripped over.
“It’s fine,” she waves me off but when I hold my hand out to her, she places hers in mine and allows me to help her up. She’s dainty in my hands and I find myself bracing her for longer than probably needed. Her soft curve fits perfectly.
Her hazel eyes peer up at me and there’s a spark that’s reignited. Her breath hitches and she swallows thickly before pointing to the house.
“I just have to,” she starts but isn’t able to finish as our gaze locks.
“Grab your purse, right,” I finish for her and loosen up my grip.
She takes a single step, not breaking eye contact but then the tension is cut.
“Oh,” she winces, taking in a sharp breath.
“I might need to walk this off actually,” she comments and scrunches her face.
“Let me just check it, you could have sprained your ankle.” Before she can object, I wrap my arm around her waist and help her up the steps.
She’s putting weight on it, and I imagine she’s just fine, but having a quick look to make sure everything’s alright won’t hurt.