Page 135 of Beautiful Exile

“Beruhigen,” I said, giving him a pat.

“I’ve got it,” Linc said, striding for the door.

A few seconds later, excited voices sounded. Familiar ones. They piled into the living room, all holding garment bags and carrying totes over their shoulders.

Rho was first, crossing the space and lifting a bottle in the air. “I brought champagne.”

“I brought cupcakes,” Sutton called. “And a massive makeup kit.”

“I’m more excited about the cupcakes,” Rho muttered.

Thea laughed. “I’m here for all three. It’s been a minute since I’ve had an excuse to dress up.”

“Sometimes it’s nice to remember you’re a girl,” Fallon said asshe laid her dress bag over a chair. “Oooooh! Is that what you’re wearing, Arden? It’s gorgeous.”

Pressure built behind my eyes as I turned to Linc. “You did all this?”

He shrugged. “Thought it might be nice for you to have them.”

How had he grown to know me so well in such a short period? He knew I’d be frustrated trying to find something to wear. Nervous getting ready on my own. And that my sisters would be the ones who could soothe those nerves best.

I rehung the dress and strode across the room. I reached up and grabbed Linc’s face, pulling it down to mine. His scruff pricked my palms as my mouth met his. The warring sensations had me lost in a matter of moments. My tongue stroked his, and Linc’s swiped back. I poured everything I had into the kiss, and when I pulled back, I gave him the words, too.

“I love you.”

Those hazel eyes burned gold. “Gonna get you a rack of dresses every day of the week.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Linc laughed. “Okay, once a week.” I smacked his chest, and he kissed the tip of my nose. “You ladies have fun. We’ll be back to pick you up at six-thirty.”

He pulled away, and I felt the loss all over again, missing him instantly.

Fallon let out a hoot. “Good Lord, you two could melt Antarctica.”

My cheeks heated. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

“Don’t you dare apologize,” Thea ordered.

“Dang straight,” Sutton agreed, arranging mini cupcakes on a tray. “There’s not a damn thing wrong with that kind of love.”

“Anson and I snuck off to a shed at his last jobsite,” Rhodes offered as she snagged a cupcake.

Thea choked on a laugh. “Why am I not surprised?”

Rho arched a brow at her. “Not sure you’re one to judge. I hear the barn at your and Shep’s reno project sees a lot of action.”

Thea’s jaw went slack, and then she burst out laughing.

Linc had been right. This was exactly what I needed.

“Keep your eyes closed,”Sutton instructed. She’d set up a makeup station at my kitchen island, and I’d never seen quite so many pots and palettes.

“I hate sitting still for this long,” I grumbled.

Rhodes let out a chuckle. “Noooo, I never had any idea.”

I reached out a hand from under the towel covering me and my precious dress and flipped my sister off. It only made her laugh more.

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