Page 36 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

Her hair was in a ponytail that swung down her back, and she wore just the slightest bit of makeup—pink gloss on her plump lips—and her smile reached her pretty turquoise eyes.

“Thanks, King. This is going to be a great day. And thanks for including my mama. It means a lot to her. To me.” She moved past me toward the kitchen, her lavender scent taunting me as she floated by.

“Of course. Barry better not show up, but your mom is always welcome. What time is Jalen coming?” I asked because I was dying to know what was going on with them.

“Oh. I haven’t filled you in yet because you’ve been so busy with work. That’s done. I officially ended things. I mean, we’re still going to be friends. But nothing more.” She shrugged before holding her arms up and waving her hands around. “I guess I’m single and ready to mingle.”

Ruby laughed as she walked through the back door. “Oh, boy. Here we go again. She’s back on the market.”

“Truth be told,” Saylor sighed, her eyes moving between us, “I think I might just want to be by myself for a while.”

“Well, you know, there’s nothing wrong with that. A girl can alwaystake careof her own needs if she doesn’t want to rely on a man to do it.” Ruby winked and then bumped her shoulder into Saylor’s, and they both laughed.

What the actual fuck is this?

Were they actually talking about getting themselves off?

Was the universe fucking with me intentionally?

“Oh, yeah? You think you can please yourself better than a man can?” I asked, hoping like hell that they didn’t notice how gruff my voice sounded.

Ruby was busy looking at her phone now, and my gaze locked with Saylor’s.

“It’s not like I’ve been with anyone…like that,in a while anyway.” Her eyes widened as a grin spread across her gorgeous face, and she reached for a grape and popped it into her mouth casually, like we were discussing the weather. “So, yeah. I know how to please myself, King. Don’t you worry about me.”

Fuck me.

Not even a white van filled with killer bees and a serial killer clown driving said van could help me now. There was no vision that could erase what was going through my mind. I was for sure going to blow if I didn’t take care of business soon.

I popped a grape into my mouth and tried to mimic her casual demeanor. “Not worried at all.”

Because it wasn’t Saylor that I was worried about at the moment.

It was me.

nine

Saylor

I couldn’t rememberthe last time I’d had a day that was this relaxing and fun. I’d been so focused on getting the bookstore open, getting the financing lined up, and working at the coffee shop to cover my living expenses.

But today had just been about family and friends and enjoying our time together.

Cutler had needed help to find the two hundred eggs Kingston had filled for him, and we’d all pitched in. Nash made endless fun of Kingston for going so over the top, but that was just who he was, and I knew Nash loved it. Cutler had done endless celebratory dances as he opened each egg to find all sorts of treats inside. There were coins and candy and stickers and a few mini baseballs. He’d filled a few with sunflower seeds, which had earned him a glare from Nash, but Cutler enjoyed every second.

I was surprised that Selena wasn’t here, but I didn’t want to ask why. It wasn’t my business. Maybe she was just with her family today.

One of the best parts about the day was the fact that my mom was there. Hayes and I had encouraged her to come, but it was always tricky because Barry wasn’t welcome, and she would usually choose to stay with him.

She’s always chosen him, hasn’t she?

“It’s so nice that Pearl is able to be here,” my mom said, as we finished eating.

River had gone to pick up his grandmother so she could spend a few hours with everyone outside of the nursing home.

“Yeah. She’s the best. I’m so happy she could be here, too.”

“The food was delicious. Do you think I can take a plate home for Barry?” she asked, and I hated how nervous she was when she mentioned his name.

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