Page 35 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

It’s a little slice of peace in a life that feels anything but.

I sink deeper into the water, letting it lap at my shoulders as I tilt my head back and sigh. Across from me, Peaches perches on a smooth rock at the edge of the spring, a romance novel tucked into her hand as she slowly flips through the pages. Her people didn’t teach her how to read–so we’ve been working on it for the past couple years, and she’s finally able to read the novels I love.

Meanwhile, I’m just…thinking.

About a certain someone I can’t seem to get off my mind.

Peaches glances up from her book, catching me mid-thought. She tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to figure out what’s going on in my head. “You’re quiet,” she says, a teasing edge to her voice.

“Just thinking,” I reply, swirling a hand through the water.

I can see the knowing smile tugging at her lips, and my heart sinks. “Uh-huh,” she says, dragging the sound out like she already knows exactly what—or who—I’m thinking about.

I huff, sinking a little lower into the water. “What?”

“Nothing,” she replies, but her tone is far from innocent. She flips another page, her eyes skimming the words as if she’s completely engrossed, but I know her better than that.

“Peaches,” I warn.

She finally glances up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s just…you’ve been a little distracted lately. And by ‘lately,’ I mean ever since he showed up.”

I freeze, my fingers stilling against the water as my heart gives an all-too-familiar flutter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, aiming for nonchalance but landing somewhere closer to defensive.

Peaches arches a brow, setting her book down beside her on the rock. “Really? You’re just sitting here, staring off into space, not thinking about Colt Morgan? That’s what you want me to believe?”

Heat rushes to my face, and I turn my gaze to the rippling surface of the water. “I’m allowed to think about things,” I mutter.

“Things,” she repeats, her grin widening. “Or people?”

I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Why do I even talk to you?”

“Because I’m your best friend, and I know you better than anyone else,” she says easily, leaning forward. “And because I’m the only one who’s going to tell you the truth: you’ve got it bad, Maggie.”

“I do not,” I argue, but even as I say it, I know it’s a lie.

“Mm-hmm,” she hums knowingly. She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Funny thing. I was talking to Colt earlier.”

That snaps my attention back to her, my heart skipping a beat. “You were?”

“Yep,” she says, her grin widening. “He was asking about the observatory.”

“The observatory?” I frown. “The one down south?”

Peaches nods, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “Yeah. Said he might head out there, see if he can scavenge some parts for that projector of yours. You know, the one he’s apparently working himself to the bone to fix.”

A rush of satisfaction floods through me at that–the idea that he’s working hard on something just for me. I try to keep my face neutral, but I can feel the blush creeping up my neck.

Peaches notices, of course. She always does.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” she says, drawing out the words like she’s savoring them. “Man like him, going to all that trouble for a projector.”

“It’s not just for me,” I mumble, though my voice lacks conviction.

“Sure, sure,” Peaches says, waving a hand dismissively. “Of course it’s for the kids. He’s a real saint, Colt Morgan.”

I snort–but Peaches isn’t done. She tilts her head, her expression softening slightly. “You should go with him.”

“What?” I say, startled.

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