Page 98 of Hart Breaker

“I’m scared.”

“You have no reason to be,” I assure her.

“I had my own speech planned for tonight, but yes, Hudson, I’m freaking out.”

“Did you take a test?”

More tears slide down her cheeks, and her lips curve into a sweet smile. “In the bag under the tree. I was going to give it to you.”

“I can wait,” I say, feeling my eyes heat up. “But I do have to say one thing.”

“Okay.”

“Congratulations, little momma. I am so fucking happy for us.”

BV HIGH

Riley

“That ring is fucking gorgeous,” Mags sighs.

“It also sets the standard.” Lo points a candy cane at it. “When we find Mr. Right, he’s gonna see that ring and want to match it or beat it.”

“That’s awful.” I laugh, and also impossible. It’s custom made so that it matches the rest of my jewelry.

Lo holds her hands up. “Hey, I don’t make the rules.”

“I’ll settle for a bubble gum machine ring from a man who looks at me like”—Mags pauses and laughs—“Bossy and Major look at Lily.”

“She cheats.” I laugh. “Little stinker sneaks treats to them all the time.”

“You better watch it, or Uncle Alex will be putting them on a diet like he did old Wile.” Iz snorts.

Feeling a wave of nausea strike, I grab my ginger tea and take a sip, and it redirects me to start the conversation about the future.

“Sorry I’m late,” Syd says as she pushes through the door and hurries to us.

“How’d this date go?” I ask since that seems to be all she’s been doing the past couple months.

“There won’t be a second,” she huffs as she sets her bag on the counter.

“Give it to us.” Lo giggles.

“The clencher was the look on his face when I stepped back from an attempted goodnight kiss and held out my hand. The damn fool really thought he was getting some tonight. I am not a first date kind of girl, and my bio specifically states that.” She looks at me. “Did you already do the thing?”

“Of course not.” I shake my head.

“Wait, what’s the thing and why does Syd know and we don’t?” Mags asks.

“I know, too,” Lo taunts her.

“Be nice,” I scold her lightly as I grab the two boxes beneath the bar and set one in front of each of them. “Go ahead and open them.”

“Oh no.” Iz pushes hers forward. “I’m all in for the gift we all decided to give each other instead of stupid purses or shoes this year.”

I push it back. “We’re still doing the girls’ week in Moab.”

We plan to head west this spring and do some off-roading. That’s still the plan.

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