Page 139 of Restricted List

I grin as I remember what he said after that. “And you said I was your Little Dipper that morning because we spooned overnight.”

“Exactly,” he says, brushing his fingers across my cheek and tucking my hair behind my ear. “You’re my Little Dipper.”

I pull up the hem of his T-shirt to see his newest tattoo under his right pec. “And you’re my Big Dipper.”

“Always will be, Rory girl.” Cole leans in and kisses me softly, tenderly.

The moment is intimate but not sexual.

It’s intimacy in a way I’ve never felt before.

And that’s because Harlow was right about what she said to me last month.

Iamin love with her brother.

I love Cole.

I’ve never enjoyed being around someone as much as I enjoy being around him.

He’s my rock, always able to keep me grounded when my anxiety over our situation creeps in.

Love is a new feeling to me, but there’s no denying it’s exactly what I feel for him.

My heart skips a beat every time I see him. My breath hitches. My pulse races.

That’s love.

The unknown of our situation is still scary, but it’s much less scary to be doing it with your best friend, the man you love.

And with the way Cole is gazing and smiling at me right now, I’m almost certain that he feels the same way.

forty-two

Rory

“Get it, Sage!” Harlowshouts, and Sage breaks out in a fit of giggles, shaking her hips from side to side.

Spring Training is finally over, so Harlow came over to have a dance party with Sage and me while we wait for the guys. Since Lo picked the music, we’re dancing to Taylor Swift. Not that Sage has any complaints since that’s pretty much all Lane listens to anyway.

“You’re definitely ready to start ballet lessons next week, Lovebug!” I say happily, grabbing her hands and spinning her around.

“Again, Wory!”

I laugh as I spin her again before Lo flops down on the sofa. “I’m pretty sure Sage is in better shape than I am,” she says.

“I figured you’d be having enough sex to give you an actual workout,” I smirk, wiggling my brows at her.

“Knox does most of the work,” she laughs. “But I also haven’t seen him in weeks now.”

“Careful not to break the bed tonight, then.”

“You too, babe.”

“My bed will be fine. We usually use your brother’s.”

Harlow shudders, and I burst out laughing. “I guess I was asking for that,” she chuckles lightly. “How has everything been, though?”

I sit down beside her and smile. “Amazing. Lo, your brother is just… incredible. I’ve never been this happy.”

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