Page 85 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
“You might as well not argue with her. This one will hunt you down if you even think of trying to get away from her.” The razzing rolled out of Emery.
Raven gave us a playfully manic grin. “Trust her. I’m not above kidnapping. The rope is in my trunk.”
I didn’t know if I should laugh or be terrified.
She set the bouquet of flowers on a small display table near the windows and pulled her phone from her jacket pocket. She thumbed into it, her fingers poised over the screen. “Hit me with it.”
My number was tumbling out without permission, as if I had no choice but to give it to her.
I had the feeling that might be true.
She giggled as she typed something then waved it at me just as my phone buzzed in my pocket. “There. Welcome to the family, bestie.”
I stood there stunned, having no idea what hit me.
“Okay, I have to run,” Raven said. “My husband, Otto, AKA hottest man on the planet and the deliverer of the best Os in all of history, is bringing lunch to Moonflower, my flower shop next door.”
“Think Emery might have something to say about that.” Kane wagged his brows from where he remained leaned on his hands against the counter.
Emery blushed and swatted in his direction, though the tease was gliding off her tongue. “Don’t go and break Raven’s heart. Let her live in delusion.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh from jolting from my mouth.
Raven pointed between them with her phone still clutched in her hand. “You both just keep dreaming.”
Then she came fumbling up to me in her heels.
She’d pulled me into her arms and was hugging me tight before I had the chance to dodge her advances.
Her belly pressed against mine and her overwhelming sweetness seeped into me.
“Best day ever,” she whispered in my ear as she rocked me back and forth before she suddenly untangled herself and strode for the door. “Love you, cutie batooties. Good luck tomorrow! I’ll stop in to make sure it’s all running as planned!”
She blew a kiss over her shoulder as she disappeared out the door, the bell jingling as she left.
I stared behind her.
Blindsided.
Dumbstruck.
Heart pounding out of rhythm.
A giggle had me turning back to Emery, and she shrugged a sweet shoulder to her ear. “We’re kinda a lot, but I think you’re going to fit right in. Be here at nine in the morning?”
A million reservations blundered through my mind, but I shoved them down and let the hope wash me anew.
“Yeah. I’ll be here.”
I began to back away, taking in Emery and Kane as they stared back at me.
Emery with soft welcoming.
Kane with something knowing in his gaze.
I finally turned when I was within two feet of the door, and I pulled it open so I could step out. Only I stalled midway, turned back to look at Emery, and whispered, “Thank you.”
Her smile widened a fraction. “I think it’s me who should be thanking you.”
