Page 54 of Boarded Hearts

“Where’s Felicity?” I ask Mom as I exit the downstairs bathroom. After the house tour, I took a call from my agent that couldn’t wait, and Felicity wandered back downstairs.

“She’s out in the backyard with Adam, honey. They’ve been out there for a good while now.”

“With Dad?”

“No. Just them.”

I peer over Mom’s shoulder to find Felicity and Adam standing at the raised Koi Pond. Adam’s bent over, pointing at something, an animated look on his face, and Felicity matches his level of enthusiasm. The pair look like kindred spirits, each as engrossed as the other. I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen my brother so engaged with another person; let alone someone he’s only just met. He’s always preferred his own space.

“I think you might have a little competition for her attention.” Mom’s teasing tone penetrates my trance.

A smile pulls at my lips as I continue to watch them. “Yeah. Have they been like this for a while?”

“Yes, well, initially he was showing Felicity the waxy leaves on the camellia. They were both feeling them. Then they moved onto the fir trees. Adam then pulled her across to the pond, and they’ve been there ever since.” Mom pauses, shaking her head in wonderment. “She’s really something, isn’t she?”

“Amazing.” I’m still staring at the woman who seems to capture the attention and hearts of everyone she meets.

This woman. If I wasn’t completely gone before, I sure as hell am now.

“Thanks for coming today,” I say to Felicity as we make our way back to downtown Seattle.

“I enjoyed myself. Your family is lovely.”

I know I’m lucky to have them in my life.

Felicity turns on my playlist but keeps the volume low, and Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House” starts playing softly through the speakers. “You like Ed Sheeran?”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to trash him as well as Miley? I don’t think my heart can take it.”

She laughs, a sound that makes my heart swell once again. “No, I love him. He often joins me on my end-of-week wine dates.”

What the fuck? “Huh? Is that some random British saying?”

She laughs again, pressing her palm to her sternum.

“Alright, Mary Poppins, it’s not that funny.” Fuck knows where that came from, but her posh British accent, flawlessly pretty face, and dark hair kind of remind me of her, along with the fucking massive tote bag she carries around everywhere she goes.

She whips her head over to find a shit eating grin on my face. “Oh no, you didn’t. Joker.” She then turns the volume up louder on Ed.

I immediately reach over and turn it down, sensing my opportunity to push a little further.

“What are your plans for the holidays, Mary?”

She casts a glance over her shoulder to the empty back seats.

“What’re you doing?”

“Just checking for someone called Mary.”

I tap my fingers on the steering wheel. “Are you going to stop being a naughty girl?”

Felicity shrugs innocently. “Didn’t think I was.”

I switch lanes and then throw a quick, heated glance her way. “Oh, you are. And that’s punishable behavior in my book.”

Her mouth forms a perfect “o” and the apples of her cheeks pinken.

My dick twitches at the sight of her lips parted like that. “Can you not?”

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