Page 43 of In This Moment

A laugh, and Rebecca rubbed her forehead. “Let’s just say it was a good thing I was sitting down. My legs wouldn’t have held me upright.”

“Nice.” Dorothy flashed a grin. “You deserve some good vibes.”

“Agree.” Scarlett flipped her hair over her shoulder, obviously not finished with her interrogation. “Like, Alice down the rabbit hole, kinda good kissing?”

Forest’s truck pulled in the lot and parked.

“Yes, now hush.” Rebecca gave Scarlett the stink eye to behave, then watched Forest exit the truck.

The passenger door opened, and…Graham climbed out.

Lord help her, but he looked darn sexy in a pair of jeans and a gray tee. He normally wore suits to work, which was fine. A well-dressed man was attractive. But give her down-home slumming for the win. His backside filled the denim as if tailored for him and the shirt emphasized the lean, muscular shape of his build. Sunlight changed his ebony strands to something closer to navy. Disheveled and morning bedhead was yummy. Those eyes, though. So vivid green in stark sunlight.

“Well, butter my biscuit,” Scarlett teased.

Dorothy elbowed her. Hard.

Rebecca suddenly found herself unsure how to behave around him. Did they act like normal? Nerves pinged her belly and did a waltz. They were in the company of friends. Perhaps she’d just follow the leader and figure it out.

Wondering why he was here, she stayed mute. Graham hadn’t mentioned anything about accompanying Forest. Then again, the meeting had been called at the last minute. Something about the Historical Society’s verdict on renovations. She had been itching to hear news since the call an hour ago. They all had been on pins and needles, in fact. Their plans for the library depended on what they’d say.

“Hope it’s all right I came.” Graham smiled, rendering Rebecca’s brain cells toast. “I haven’t seen the infamous library up close yet.”

“You’re welcome anytime.” Scarlett winked.

“Never mind her,” Dorothy said. “She had too much coffee with her sugar this morning. She’s not actually flirting. And, yes, we’re happy to show you around.”

“I think you mean sugar with my coffee.”

“No, I meant just what I said.” Dorothy squinted, side-glancing their friend.

He nodded, grin implying amusement. “I appreciate the hospitality.”

Scarlett fidgeted with her short blue sundress. “I got a baby shower at the plantation in two hours. What’s the verdict?”

“Well,” Forest sighed. Shuffling papers in his hand, he frowned.

Oh, crap. Rebecca’s heart sank. The Historical Society had vetoed the changes. All their ideas and plans wouldn’t come to pass. They’d have to draw new ones and submit them again, and there was no guarantee those would get accepted. Those blueprints were what would work the best. All their agony over the past six months…

“They approved everything.”

Silence hung, then Forest slowly grinned. Wide.

“No,” Dorothy breathed, eyes round. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” He shrugged. “I inserted my two cents by telling them the changes were completely necessary and that our Belles would never disrespect history. Plus, I think Rebecca’s plug in the paper showed them how transparent you were being about the renovations.”

There wasn’t a shadow of doubt in Rebecca’s mind that if he hadn’t gone to bat for them, this wouldn’t have worked out in their favor. He was Vallantine’s golden boy, and his word was bond.

“Yes!” Scarlett let out a hoot, fists raised. “I would climb you like an oak if I weren’t in this dress, Forest Truman.”

“I’m not wearing a dress.” Giddy bubbles exploded in Rebecca’s chest. “Incoming.”

Forest must’ve guessed her move, because on her way to launching herself at him, he tossed papers at Graham and opened his arms to catch her. Legs around his waist, arms circling his shoulders, she hugged the spit outta him.

“Thank you so much.”

He laughed. “You’re very welcome.”

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