Page 54 of Breathless

Like the good friend she is, she wraps her arm around me and squeezestight.

I sniffle, eager to change the subject. “Are you and Ethan having fun thisweekend?”

“So much fun.” She finally releases her python grip on me. “It’s great to see Ethan kick back and relax. He works his ass off, even when I nag him to take a break. This wedding stuff forces him to take abreather.”

Concern rifles through me. “But the farm is doing better financially,right?”

“It definitely is, but Ethan’s eager to finish paying Allison’s settlement from the divorce so she can get out of our hair. Trying to expand our operation has a lot of overhead, though, but that’s what we need to do to compete at a high level. Once we’re done with that settlement, we should begolden.”

Ethan’s ex was a holy terror back when Tori first came to work on the ranch. Allison never cared about the horses they raised or even her kids that much, if I’m being honest, until Tori came on thescene.

“You and Ethan make such a great team. Allison was never that for him. And she’s always been such a biotch to you and Bev. But I do love herkids.”

Tori smiles. “I love her kids too. They’re the only reason I haven’t decked Allison in her snooty face a time ortwo.”

“Mila and Cody are going to be so lucky to have you as theirmom.”

It’s her turn to get misty. She blinks quickly. “I’m really excited to be their mom.” Clearing her throat, she wipes her eyes. “I’m not looking to replace Allison in their lives, but I hope they know, in my heart, they’re mine. That I’ll always love them like myown.”

I sniffle. “We really shouldn’t cry aboutthis.”

After swiping another tear, she laughs. “I know. I’ve just… been feeling more emotional lately… with all of this wedding excitement.” She grabs my hand. “Since we’re having this big heart-to-heart, I really have to tell you I hope you and Logan work out and get married and have babies, andeeep! Then you’ll be mysister!”

We look at each other, eyes wide, mouths open. “Ohhhh. I really want to be yoursister.”

Likeso, somuch.

A deep voice interrupts. “What are you two gossipingabout?”

I squint into the sun to smile at Ethan. “Nothin’.”

“Uh-huh.” He grabs a drink of water and leans down to kiss Tori on the forehead before turning to me. “You having fun,squirt?”

“So much fun. Thanks for invitingme.”

“Are you kidding? The first thing Tori said when we decided to take a trip down here was that you were coming even if she had to fly to Florida and pick you upherself.”

Kat plops down next to me. “Did I ever tell you about the time Tori hosted my bachelorette party and had a little mixeroo with the partyfavors?”

Tori laughs and shakes her head. “This again? I thought you said you were overit.”

“I’m over it, but that’s why I got you thisgift.”

A minute later, Tori is holding up a candy necklacewith…

My eyes narrow as I try to make out the details. “Are those tiny penises?” Peni? What’s the plural ofpenis?

Tori howls with laughter and wraps it around her neck. “Aww. Now my dreams are comingtrue.”

I smile as Logan walks up, his eyes brightening when he seesme.

Speaking of dreams coming true, maybe mine aren’t so out ofreach.

21

Joey

“Just be backin time for the bonfire!” Tori yells across the beach while Logan and I head for his truck. She makes a naughty gesture with her hand, and Ilaugh.

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