Page 84 of When We Break

I tip up an eyebrow in surprise. “Myranch?”

“Of course, yours. It’s a beautiful place, Beck. It would fetch a high bid. Anyone looking for a mountain getaway would love it.” She smiles up at me so sweetly, it makes my heart ache. Jesus, I’m falling in love with her so fast that it makes my head spin, and I know there’s no way of stopping it. Not that I want to stop it.

“If you want to offer the ranch, Irish, it’s yours.” Her green eyes dilate as I sweep my knuckles down her soft cheek. “Anything you want. You know that.”

“It would be good advertising for you as well.” Her gorgeous mossy eyes fall to my lips, and she licks her own before continuing. “Because those who don’t win would likely also book a stay.”

“If you say so.” I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her so fucking bad. So I cup her cheek and lean down, but before I can get my lips on her, someone says my name.

“Beck? Is that you?”

I turn to look behind me and am stunned to find Ryan Wild, along with his wife, Polly, standing behind us.

“Ry?” I accept his hand and pull him in for a quick hug. “Holy shit, I know someone here.”

“Same,” Polly says, hugging Skyla. “Oh, you’re so beautiful. Is this Dior?”

“Aye,” Skyla says with a shy smile as her gaze drifts down Polly’s dark blue dress. “And that’s Chanel. Oh, it’s just lovely, Polly.”

“Thanks.” Polly kisses her husband’s shoulder, leaving a smear of lipstick that he doesn’t seem to mind at all. “Someone spoiled me on Valentine’s Day.”

“I don’t have any idea who that might have been,” Ryan says, but then offers his wife a grin. “You deserve it.”

“Oh, I know,” Polly replies, making us all laugh.

“I’m so sorry,” Skyla says as she frowns at someone waving her down. “It seems my mother needs me. I’d better go mingle.”

“Do you want me to?—”

“No, stay.” She smiles up at me, then at our friends. “I wish I could stay, too. This was a lovely surprise, and I mean it. Thank you both for coming. Polly, I’ll see you at our book club meeting next week?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Polly agrees before Skyla bustles off to mingle.

“So you and Skyla.” Ryan sips his whiskey. “I like it.”

“Do you know her well?” I ask him.

“Not well,” he replies, shaking his head. “I didn’t realize she’d moved to our town until Polly mentioned she went to their book club. I know Connor a bit, as I’ve invested in hotels in the past few years. When I was invited to this, Polly and I decided to take a couple of days away. I like her brother. And her family as a whole seems like good people.”

I nod and let my eyes move over the crowd, looking for my girl. I find her laughing with a woman, and it makes me jealous.

I want to hear her laughter.

Fuck me, I’ve gotten soft.

“I have to say,” Polly adds with a grin. “I like the way you look at her, Beck. I’ve known you a long-ass time, and I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that. Not even Tori.”

Polly and I grew up together. Her brother, Mac, is one of Ryan’s and my closest friends. And, once upon a time, she was tight with my ex.

“And how do I look at Skyla?”

“Like you love her.” She smiles softly and reaches out to pat my arm. “It looks good on you.”

“Yeah, well, I think this weekend is teaching me that our worlds are pretty different.”

“Fuck that,” Ryan says, shaking his head. “Money is just money.”

“Says the man with a shit ton of it.”

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