Page 25 of Too Sweet

“You have nothing to apologize for,” I say. “Whatever happens, you’re mine. You’re not going back to that job as a bottle girl.”

“Carter.”

“Summer.”

She sighs, her eyes dazed. “I’m too tired to argue,” she says with an exhausted, sweet grin.

I kiss the top of her head and haul her into my lap. I rest my arm over her legs, bringing her side to rest against my chest and kiss her bare shoulder.

“I’d like to say I’m not usually jealous, but I feel differently around you,” I say.

“It was fun seeing you snap. I wasn’t expecting it,” Summer replies.

We sit there for a long time until she sighs and pats my forearm.

“I should go find Harmony and take her home. And I have to go to work at 9.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” I say, pulling her face down for another kiss.

She laughs.

“Don’t be silly. We have a contract to sign. I have to take Harmony home, and then I have to get ready for work.”

I kiss her shoulder. “Of course, we can find Harmony and sign that contract. But, honey? Sorry; you’re never going back to being a bottle girl. Deal with it.”

chapter

ten

Summer

“You know, we could just front you all of the money, and you wouldn’t need to go to the bank,” Cooper suggests.

That doesn’t sit right with either me or Harmony as we stand in the guys’ office, looking over the contract.

“We want total control over the major decisions,” Harmony says.

The guys both agree.

I can hardly believe it, but we’re signing on the bottom line. It’s all happening.

“Make sure you have an attorney go over this for you to make sure you’re getting the better end of the deal,” Cooper says

“But we’ve already signed it,” I point out.

“Yeah, but it contains a clause that allows you two days to back out of the contract. We’ll give you three. We won’t hold you to anything,” Carter says.

Harmony squeals, a look of joy spreading across her face. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her like this.

“Little Spoon is really happening!” she exclaims, hugging me.

The four of us celebrate with champagne.

Something about this feels off, but I stuff down that feeling as we clink our glasses together.

The drive home from Gold Hill is quiet.

By the time we reach the Kentucky state line, I can’t take it anymore.

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