Page 8 of Pining for the Lumberjack

“Alright, fine. But hurry up. I don’t have all day,” Jack grumbled.

“Yeah, you do.” I patted him on the back and stood for another cup of coffee. Yet my mind was on high alert.

I kept thinking about what Jack said.It sounded like you described my sister.

No, it couldn’t be. Maybe I’d finally gotten lucky enough to find someone like her.

Even if it would only cause me more pain in life.

CHAPTER FIVE

Adalynn

“This was such a bad idea,Suz. And now I’m in way over my head. What the hell were we thinking?”

Suzie chuckled before taking a sip of her coffee. She came over this morning after I cried to her on the phone. Thankfully, she brought coffee and donuts. “We weren’t thinking. The wine was.”

“I’m serious. I don’t know what to do.”

“You need to stop talking to him. I told you that the other day. Or just confess and finally be with the guy. Your brother will understand.”

I shot her my best stink eye. “No, he won’t. You know he won’t. Besides, Forrest doesn’t?—”

“Stop it right there, Ads. I’m not listening to you say that again. I’ve seen how the man looks at you when he doesn’t think anyone notices. If Jack cares about Forrest’s and your happiness, then he’ll be fine.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“Itisthat simple, believe me. Worst-case scenario, it doesn’t work out, and you find a new hot mountain man. There’s plenty to go around, according to Mountain Mates.” Suzie winked and bit into a frosted chocolate donut.

“My heart would be broken. I don’t want anyone else. I want Forrest. Why? Why did I mess this all up?”

“You didn’t mess it up. You propelled it forward. It’s about damn time the secret came out because I’m done hearing about it.”

“Wow. Thanks, Suz, that’s real nice of you,” I teased.

Suzie laughed. “Listen, I love you more than anyone in the world and all I want is to see you happy. Which means you aren’ttalkingabout being with Forrest. You actuallyarewith him. And if he doesn’t feel the same, then he sucks. If Jack comes between you, he sucks too.”

I snorted and shook my head. “Ha! So insightful, my friend.”

“I want to hear some good stuff. What have you and Forrest been sexting?”

“Sexting? With Forrest?” My brother appeared in the kitchen like a stealth ninja at night, his voice booming loud.

My entire body froze, my spine tight.Where the hell did he come from?

My cheeks flamed red, and my ears grew hot. I thought Jack had left. When did he return?

“Uh, hello? What are you two talking about?” Jack sat down beside me, and I could feel his intense stare.

“Girl talk, that’s all. And not your friend Forrest, duh.” I rolled my eyes and acted like he was weird for asking.

“There’s another Forrest in Apple Falls? I doubt it,” Jack grumbled.

“Who said he was in Apple Falls? There are other towns around here, you know.”

“Okay, and who are you meeting from another town? Wait a second, don’t tell me you created a profile on that website.”

“What website?”

---