Page 3 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

Her chest rose and fell against mine, and it soothed me in a way.

I’d been a little lost these last few weeks, and if I were being honest, right now, with Saylor, was the most content I’d felt since everything had gone down.

Maybe protecting my best friend’s little sister was just what I needed.

She needed me, and maybe, in a weird way, I needed her, too.

one

Saylor

Present Day

“Okay, I’m going to take these teas over and meet Nash and King,” I said, unable to hide my excitement.

“I can’t believe you’re finally starting renovations on the bookstore.” Demi beamed.

I’d been working at Magnolia Beans coffee shop, which Demi owned, for months now. I’d had to jump through all sorts of hoops to get a business license and a bank loan to open my bookstore, as well as save up as much money as I could for living expenses. And today was finally the day.

“You look like a total lady boss,” Peyton said. She worked at Magnolia Beans, as well, while she was taking courses online to get her master’s in education. She’d be graduating soon, and Demi would need to hire all new people, as I’d be working next door, and Peyton would go back to the classroom.

I glanced down to see my white tank top and the denim overalls that I was wearing. “This is lady boss attire?” I asked over my laughter.

“Tell her, Rubes. It’s not about the clothing; it’s about the woman beneath,” Peyton said.

Ruby chuckled. The four of us had become the best of friends over the last few months, and I’d been happy about my decision to return home to Magnolia Falls. I had friends here, real friends. My brother was here. I was opening a business.

My mother was also here, which had been a big part of the reason that I’d wanted to come back to start pursuing my dreams. Unfortunately, I didn’t see much of her as she’d gotten back together with Barry, my stepfather, which shouldn’t surprise me, yet it always did.

And as long as Barry was in her life, I had to put up boundaries.

“Correct. You are channeling your inner lady boss. You rock those overalls like a badass bitch.” Ruby smirked, grabbing her tea from Demi, who was laughing hysterically now.

“I’ll do my best. Are you sleeping at River’s tonight?” I asked. She and I were roommates, but she spent a lot of time over at her boyfriend’s house. We were all close, and I loved seeing that she and River were so happy.

I loved it for both of them.

“Probably. But I’ll come by the bookstore after work because I want to see how much they get done on the first day of renovations,” she said.

“This is so exciting, Say. You had a goal, a dream.” Demi shook her head as if she were trying to hold back the emotions. “And you made it happen.”

“Oh, my gawwwwdd. You are such a sap lately.” Peyton laughed hysterically. “I swear it’s all the wedding planning. It makes you such a weepy mess.”

Demi and her fiancé, Romeo, had gotten engaged a few months ago, and I was thrilled for them.

Demi shrugged and had a big smile on her face as if she couldn’t help herself.

“Hey, I’m the one opening a romance bookstore. I’m all about being in your feels, you know?” I said.

“Speaking of being in your feels… how did your date go with Coach Hotty? Damn, that man is one fine specimen,” Peyton asked as she loaded the pastries she’d brought out from the kitchen into the display case.

“Why do we call himcoachif he’s a trainer?” Ruby raised a brow.

“I asked him that, and he said that he considers himself more of a coach than a trainer. He works on the mental and the physical aspects with his clients,” I said, trying to hide my smile because he really was hot as hell. He’d just moved to town and was working over at Romeo’s gym, which was now somewhat famous after Romeo had put his name on the map when he won his big fight last year.

“What about his dick? Does he work on that? Because that’s what our girl needs,” Peyton said, and Ruby’s and Demi’s heads fell back in a fit of laughter.

“You are so crude,” Demi said, shaking her head at Peyton before turning to me. “Ignore her. She’s just a horny one these days.”

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