Page 175 of Love Me Reckless

“Oh, Sawyer!”

“I wanted something to match the one your grandmother gave you.”

“This is so beautiful.” The opal glitters like it’s lit from within.

“Let it be my promise to you,” he says.

I caress his face and kiss him. “It’s perfect.”

“Can we put it on? I’ve been dying to see it on you.”

“Oh,” I say with a laugh. “Right. Yes!”

His rough fingers fitting the clasp around my wrist is another reminder of how opposite we must look to those on the outside.

Our hearts know the truth.

“I love it,” I say, and pull him to me for a kiss. “And I love you.”

He tackles me. “Say you promise.”

“I promise.”

He pokes me in the side, making me laugh. “Say it again.”

“I’m yours, Sawyer. I promise.”

Breathless from our tussle in the sheets, he kisses me.

After a morning spent in bed, we finally saunter into our little cabin’s kitchen to make breakfast. While Sawyer is whipping eggs for cheesy omelets, I pour us each a cup of coffee and toast twoslices of sourdough. I set a bowl of the blackberries we picked yesterday on the table, too, my new bracelet flashing in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

I smile to myself and hug Sawyer from behind. He gives me a quick squeeze before pouring the eggs into the heated pan.

On my way to the toaster, my phone lights up on the counter. It’s a text from Ava. I expect her to gush about the ceremony last night or to see a link to download her pictures, but instead, it reads:

I think I’m in trouble

Frowning, I scoop up my phone and type out a quick reply.

Did something happen?

Call me when u can I’m freaking out

The toast pops, making me jump.

I press CALL and lift the phone to my ear.

“What’s up?” I say when she answers. Ava doesn’t freak out about anything, so my worry meter is pegged.

The sound of a door gently closing fills the silence.

“Aves, you okay?” I ask over the sound of movement like she’s running.

Sawyer sends me a concerned glance.

“Hutch and I um, spent the night together,” Ava says.

A shock wave zips down my spine. “What?”

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