Page 45 of Raised On It

I’ll worry about those tears once the plane doors close behind me.

CHAPTER 15

Miles

“What did you two do today?” I hear Emmett ask Mason from behind me while Josh and I prep the fire.

It’s nice to have our sexiest man alive home from Los Angeles. Since Josh became a giant superstar, we don’t get to see him nearly enough. But I ain’t gonna lie, I’m totally tuning Mr. Hollywood out while he talks to me about the lifestyles of the rich and famous to hear Mason’s answer.

“Oh, Emmett, we had so much fun.”

Damn straight we did.

“We just hung out all day. He’s been showing me around town and helping me research the whole small-town vibe. I have to say I love Eastlyn. It’s just what I needed.”

“I totally get it. I’m so glad that I’ll have Eastlyn to come home to once I move to LA, but ugh, I do not want to talk about that. Tell me, what’s been your favorite thing about Eastlyn so far?”

Yes, do tell…

“Well, I know it’s crazy, but I love getting shakes at Tom’s diner. Today was the second time we’ve gone to Tom’s, and there is just something about it. There was this whole nostalgic feel to the day. I’m not sure if it’s because he picked me up in the same old truck he drove in high school, and we spent the day driving around town, dipping our toes in the river, slurping shakes at Tom’s and then finishing here at The Jumps, but I feel like I might have gotten a glimpse of what a summer day must have been like for you guys as kids. But Tom’s had to be my favorite part of the day. I don’t know, there is certainly something to be said about sitting across from a cute boy while we both sip on our shakes. It’s just kind of dreamy.”

“Dreamy? Miles Montgomery dreamy?”

Emmett’s sure to say this loud enough for me to hear, and if she thinks she’s giving me a hard time, she’s doing just the opposite, because goddamn if it doesn’t feel good to hear. Not just the dreamy part but hearing her describe the day in exactly the way I had hoped she would experience it.

Hell, yes!

“Emmy, you’ve known that since we were in elementary school. You’ve just never been brave enough to say it out loud, like Mase,” I say over my shoulder.

“No, I knew you were an idiot back then, and you still are. You must have dropped something in her milkshake because I know Mason is too smart to fall for the likes of you.”

“But they were strawberry, Emmett. Have you had a strawberry milkshake from Tom’s? I mean, if that isn’t the way to a girl’s heart, I don’t know what is.” I look over my shoulder, and she’s looking right at me with a shit-eating grin on her face. “Besides, he’s kinda cute.”

Could this day get any better?

“Okay, you can take it from here, Josh,” I say, handing over the reins of the fire so I can get up to be next to my girl. “That is,unless you’re afraid to get your pretty little Hollywood manicure dirty.”

“Fuck off, Miles.”

“Hey, you’re the one who moved to the glitz and glamour of Southern California so you could spend your days gallivanting around the world on private planes. You trying to say you can take the boy out of Eastlyn, but you can’t take Eastlyn out of the boy?”

“Damn straight. Besides, you know I’ve always been the fire master around here. Now go woo the poor girl.”

Josh gives me a nod, and I see the guy I grew up with. “Hey, man, it’s really good to have you home.” I pull the Oscar winner into a bro hug. “I miss you, man.”

“Miss you too, asshole. The truth is, I miss this place more than I ever thought I would.”

“There’s no place like home,” I say, stepping away from him and in Mason’s direction.

My heart swells to see Mason’s beaming face in the firelight as she talks to one of my best friends as if she’s already one of us. A couple of steps toward her and my heartbeat is just about to find its rhythm again but wouldn’t you know it falters when those dark eyes and bright smile hit me.

I’ll be damned if laying her eyes on me doesn’t somehow cause her smile to grow even bigger.

And that feels good.

Emmett, never one to let an opportunity to razz me pass her by, tries to ruin the moment, but try as she might, it’s not possible.

“Aw, there’s our dreamy milkshake spiker. So, tell me…do you two share one milkshake and drink it from two straws like in the olden days, or did he spring for two so you could have your own?”

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