Page 95 of The Lies We Told Ourselves

“What the…?”

“Close your eyes,” Booker rushed out.

I glanced at the excited man at my side and then did as he asked. It wasn’t often that I saw Booker get so excited about something, and I was intrigued enough that I’d have done anything he asked. Not that I wasn’t just about to do literally anything he asked, but most of that you couldn’t do out in public.

“Stop thinking sexy thoughts,” Booker grumbled as he brought the truck to a stop and killed the engine.

“How did you know?” I asked, not even bothering to deny it.

He leaned closer, and I felt the ghost of his lips brush against mine, making me gulp as he whispered, “You get this cute little blush on the tops of your cheeks, and your breath quickens.”

Booker kissed me, leaning forward as he wrapped his hand around my neck and deepened the kiss to the point where I was squirming in my seat, desperate for more.

“Don’t open your eyes until I tell you,” he growled, nipping at my lips, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Damn. This man could turn me to liquid in an instant.

I heard Booker climb out of the truck, and then the door opened next to me, and his hands came to mine. Booker guided me out, steering me a few steps away from the truck before he turned me around and placed his hands over my eyes.

“Are you sure you’ve done that right?” Booker asked someone. “I don’t want it dropping off and killing someone.”

“Are you doubting my work?” Dex asked in outrage. “Here I am balancing on a ladder with no help at all so you can pull off this epic surprise and what thanks do I get? Nooo, let Dex risk his life for?—”

“Will you just shut up already and get down here,” Booker growled, but I could hear the grin on his lips in his voice. “You’re ruining the view,” he teased.

There was the sound of two feet hitting the ground, and I jumped. “Please tell me he didn’t just throw himself off a ladder to make a point?”

“Awww, I knew you loved me, Reecey baby. Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll free you from this brute, and we can run away together.”

I felt a breeze whisper past my face, followed by a grunt from Dex as he stumbled away from us laughing. I didn’t think I wanted to know what they were doing.

“Okay, ready?” Booker asked.

“I don’t know anymore,” I said nervously.

“Trust me, you are,” he whispered in my ear.

When Booker pulled his hands away from my eyes, I blinked against the bright light that momentarily stole my vision, and then I focused in on the new sign that hung over the driveway.

“Oh, Booker, it’s perfect,” I said happily.

He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me against his chest as we both stared up at the timber sign, which was framed by two horseshoes, displaying the name…

Second Chance Ranch.

It was for me, and it had been for Booker too. Now we were going to share that with anyone else who needed it, too.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

BOOKER

Istraightened my shirt and ran my fingers through my hair again, making sure that it was as perfect as the unruly blond lengths could be. Maybe I should have gotten a haircut.

I looked down at my jeans, wondering if I should change, and then remembered that I didn’t, in fact, own anything other than jeans and cursed.

Damn, why was I so damned nervous?

Ever since Camden had trashed the cottage, Reece had lived in my house and slept in my bed every night. We ate every meal together. She was the last thing I saw when I fell asleep and the first thing I saw when I woke. I knew her better than I knew myself. Every inch of her body, everything that makes her breath hitch and her toes curl.

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