Page 4 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“It’s all these damn romance books you have me reading. Everyone is six foot four with big, magical dicks. So, I’veraisedmy expectations,” Peyton said over her laughter.

“Pun intended.” Ruby winked. “How did it go? Do you like him?”

“Coach Hotty or his dick?” Peyton asked.

“Shhh… we’re talking about Coach Hotty. The morning rush is about to start, and I want to know what happened.” Demi shot Peyton a warning look.

“He’s funny and really nice. I don’t know. It was fine. Good, maybe? We’ll see if he calls me today.”

“You sell yourself short, girl. Of course, he’ll call you. You’re such a catch. I mean, who looks this good in freaking farmer pants?” Ruby kissed my cheek. “I’ve got to run. Good luck today. I’ll see you tonight.”

“You’re not working today at all?” Peyton looked at me, pushing out her bottom lip. “It’s going to be so boring without you.”

“Hey. I can hear you.” Demi laughed as she bumped her bestie in the shoulder. “She’ll be back tomorrow. This is a big day. Let her enjoy it.”

“I’ll pop in during the day and see if you guys need help. I’m just next door. But I want to make sure everything goes smoothly today.” I gave them each a hug. “Love you. I’ll see you later.”

I grabbed the drink carrier and made my way to the kitchen, pulling open the door that led to Love Ever After.That was the name I’d chosen for the bookstore. It connected to Demi’s shop from the inside, but each space had its own exterior entrance for customers, as well.

It couldn’t be in a better location, next door to Demi. I set the tray down on the table beside the drawings for the design and layout we were using. Kingston and Nash didn’t think this would take more than a few weeks.

I couldn’t wait.

I was grateful to have friends who owned a construction company and were willing to do this job for a very fair price.

It was nice to have something to look forward to. I’d been dreaming about this for a long time, and it was all finally happening.

I flipped on the lights and pushed open the front door, waving as I saw Kingston and Nash getting out of their truck. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I looked down to see a text from my brother.

Hayes

Big day today. Congrats. Proud of you for pushing hard to make this happen. I’ll stop by after my shift to see how it’s going.

Thanks. Be safe. Love you.

Hayes was a firefighter, and I always worried about him, but I tried not to let him know that every time he went to work—unlike my brother, who was a barbarian when it came to being protective of me.

“Sayit isn’t so,” Kingston sang out, because he loved making Saylor jokes every chance he got. He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Big day today, wouldn’t yousay?”

I laughed because he was always on, always making me laugh. The guy had more charm in his pinky finger than most people had in their entire bodies.

No wonder the women in Magnolia Falls are feral for the man.

“Are you seriously going to be doing this the whole time?” Nash rolled his eyes as they both stepped inside.

“What? She’s got a good name for it, wouldn’t yousay?”

“Speaking of good names… I was ordered to give you this.” Nash reached into his back pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper. “Cutler made this for you.”

I opened it and found he’d drawn all the places downtown that were important to him. The firehouse where Hayes worked. River’s law office was on there. Whiskey Falls bar, which was owned by Ruby’s dad, Lionel. RoD Construction, also known as Ride or Die Construction, owned by both Kingston and Nash, Magnolia Beans, and then Love Ever After was right in the center of the picture.

Kingston leaned over my shoulder, and the smell of sage and mint flooded my senses.

“Congrats to my girl, Saylor.” Kingston read the handwriting on the top of the page. “Damn, Beefcake has more game than most of the dudes in Magnolia Falls.”

Beefcake was the name Cutler had asked us all to call him, as he no longer liked his real name.

“Yeah. I told you, his teacher said we need to start calling him Cutler. She said it’s wrong to let him change his name.” Then nodded to the drawing. “He spent a lot of time on that. Really tested my patience by making me spell everything over and over because he needed it to be perfect.”

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