Page 24 of Under an Endless Moon

Me

Never, brother. Which means we have to take the opportunity to enjoy ourselves in the moments we can. Take a bit of the finer things in life…like your ugly ass has been doing since Charleigh walked through your door. You know I’m going to.

Nah, I was gonna wallow for the whole fuckin’ day. Try to make penance for my sins when they could never be forgiven.

River

Never thought I’d get this.

Me

You deserve it more than anyone I know.

I meant it.

River

Hardly, but I’m not gonna be the prick who swindles what he’s been given. Speaking of, she just came into the shop. Wants another tat. I’d better run.

Me

Yeah, know exactly what you’re running to.

I chuckled when he only replied with a bunch of winky faces, the asshole tossing them right back at me when they were typically my favorite way to give him shit. Didn’t think the guy had even known what an emoji was before he’d met Charleigh who’d come into townabout six months ago and had changed everything for him and Nolan. Wondered if he realized his grumpy ass was going soft.

Made me damned happy, though, that he was happy.

I pulled on a fresh pair of underwear and flopped onto my back, picking up my phone and staring at the text thread from Raven.

Thumb hovering over the text that I’d left unanswered.

Should leave well enough alone.

But I was never so good at that.

So I tapped out a message like the selfish fucker I was, never able to fully let her go.

Me

Don’t worry, darlin’. I’m home safe and sound. Like I’d ever dream of leaving you.

NINE

RAVEN

“You’re an angel on earth, Millie.”I scooped up the giant bundle of fresh-cut flowers and grinned at the woman across the counter from me.

She’d been a total savior since she’d started working on the weekends here at Moonflower. I loved owning the quaint little floral shop that was my pride and joy. Loved putting together bouquets and making people’s days brighter. But I also loved to be able to take some time off to spend with my family, as well.

Millie only wanted to work on the weekends, so it was a win-win.

She arched a penciled-in brow. “It is my job, and you’re here on a Sunday morning just after dawn taking care of a big part of it.”

“I have to pick up some treats for our family picnic today, so I was already in town. It’s no bother.”

Her scowl was full of affection. “I think you’re the one who’s the angel on earth.”

My chest expanded. God, I loved this woman. She was so kind and gentle and caring. The type of person I wished my mother would have been, which was probably why I’d adored her the second she’d walked through Moonflower’s door two months ago and I’d hired her on the spot.

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