Page 89 of Tickled Pink

I can feel it all.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Thad,” I say.

He smiles as we open our arms to each other at the same time. An embrace as firm as it is soft.

We hear Phoebe’s feet on the stairs and separate before she makes it to the kitchen. She enters and we both gasp.

Thank you for your help again, Jackie Bone.

“What?” she asks, instantly self-conscious. “Is it too much? It feels like too much.”

“It’s perfect,” I say, my eyes roaming her curves.

“You’re gorgeous,” Thad says as he rushes forward to scoop her up into his arms. After a quick hug, he steps back, grabbing her wrists. “All right. Let’s see ‘em.”

She happily presents her hands, along with the two new bracelets dangling from her wrists. Each carries a golden heart. One from Thad. The other from me.

“They’re beautiful,” she says, looking at both of us with tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

I step forward to see them for myself. Thad releases her and she wraps her arms around me.

“So, where are we going?” she asks, full of nerves. “Do I need to pack? How many pairs of underwear we talking here?”

“You’ll have everything you need when we get there,” I answer.

“And that is…?”

“Not here,” Thad says, reclaiming his coffee. “Drink up and let’s go.”

Phoebe peeks up at me.

I mime a key against my mouth.

She sighs.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Phoebe

When we reach the hangar at eleven o’clock, my heart is already pounding.

My pulse grows wilder when Thad and Max lead me to the helicopter waiting for us on the grass.

And when I realize Thad is our pilot, my heart practically explodes.

“What?!”

Thad just chuckles as he yanks once on my seatbelt. “Just don’t stand up.”

“Wh-wh-why would I stand up? Who would do that?”

“Max, hold her hand.”

Max instantly entwines our fingers as Thad settles into the pilot’s chair at the front. “Yes, Thaddy,” he says.

I scoff. “He’s got you doing it now, too?”

Max smiles, his eyes steady and bright. Confident. Full of trust in Thad.

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