Page 85 of Sassy Love
We follow the girls to Reed’s big black truck, and Rubes helps stash the bags in the back before we head for home. “You and Carlie have a cabin by the stream. We are booked up, so you have to share.” Her and Gracie share a conspiratorial glance.
Gracie clears her throat. “Sorry, with your plus-one, you’re better off with your own space, Laws.”
Nice work, girls.
It’s not like Carlie and I haven’t shared a space before. We do it every day at work. And the retreat was a success, in close quarters. But the kiss on the plane lingers on my mouth. The feelof her elegant hands around my jawline. Her breath mixing with mine and the soft sound she made as we parted.
I didn’t imagine the chemistry there.
I couldn’t have. I’ve never felt anything like it before.
Carlie doesn’t look at me, sitting in the back seat with me as Gracie rides shotgun and Rubes drives. Carlie is watching Ruby as if she can’t believe she’s in the same space as the great Ruby Robbins. I’m saving that particular story to tell Rubes later.
I’ve never been prouder of my sister than the moment I realized how big of a deal she was on the New York event planning scene. Okay, maybe the day she put Harry in his place was that day, but... The way Carlie speaks about her, I have no doubt Rubes accomplished all that and more.
“How long does it take to get to the ranch?” Carlie asks.
“An hour and a half,” Rubes replies.
Carlie’s smile wraps around her face as she leans over and says softly, “Thank you for bringing me.”
I turn my head, my lips to her ear. “As if I would have left you behind on Thanksgiving, Lamont.”
A small huffy breath puffs against my cheek when I pull away, and she’s frowning.
I slip my phone from my pocket and send her a text.
What’s with the long face?
Long face?
Why are you frowning, Carlie?
You called me Lamont.
You don’t like Princess, so . . .
I need a new nickname, Cowboy.
Guess we’ll have to figure that out this weekend, too.
Guess so.
I can’t get those plane kisses out of my head, so I hedge my bets and tap out another message.
My family can be a bit much sometimes. So, if you’re in need of distracting this weekend, I owe you one. Well, two actually.
I’ll hold you to that
Yes ma’am.
She glances at me sideways.
Keep that up, and I’ll have to collect before we even make it to the ranch.
I huff a chuckle, and Gracie turns back to meet my gaze. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
