Page 10 of Love Harvested on Thanksgiving
I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare. Nobody needs your monster porn recs right now.”
Opal gasps, clutching her chest. “Everyoneneeds my monster romance suggestions.”
Nova snorts, almost spilling her wine. “Maybe she’s right, maybe the rom coms aren’t for me.”
Opal winks at her over the rim of her glass. “Don’t worry, I’ll send you a list,” she whispers.
Opal sets her fork down, eyes glittering with curiosity. “How’s the grumpy farmer?”
I let out a sigh. “The same brooding grump as always. He’s not even old, like I imagined.”
Opal leans forward on her elbows, chin in her hands, smiling. “Okay but is he… hot?”
I laugh, trying to wave her off.
Nova lifts her head instantly, putting her phone back down on the counter. “Ohhh, that’s a yes.”
I press my lips together, and I pause. A long heavy pause. Finally, I let out a groan and nod. “Unfortunately, yeah. He is. Probably the hottest man I’ve ever met, actually.”
Opal and Nova squeal in unison, clinking their wine glasses together. They exchange a glance.
Nova smirks, “So, how long until she sleeps with him?”
Opal bursts out in laughter, already raising her glass. “I give it a week.”
My jaw drops, heat flooding my cheeks. “You guys—he hates me!” I bury my face in my hands, groaning through my laughter. “Not that I wouldn’t, or anything.” I mumble.
Opal grins, pointing her fork at me. “You do love a good enemies to lovers trope.”
I shake my head, “you two are crazy!” I reach for my pumpkin cider, desperate to cool my burning cheeks with another sip. “Okay, okay. Enough about the grumpy hot farmer,” I say, waving them off. “Can we please get back to my desserts before you two marry me off to someone who can’t even smile?”
The kitchen still smells of sugar and spice; candles flicker against the kitchen backsplash. And I lean against the counter, smiling at my two best friends. “Alright, one more round of taste tests—then you’re both helping me wash dishes.”
Their groans follow me as I slice another piece of cheesecake, and the three of us fall into laughter.
CHAPTER SIX
FINLEY
I tug another stubborn weed out of the gravel, tossing it into the pile at my feet. Every year, this fall petting zoo sneaks up on me, and every year I swear it will be the last. But then I remember Mom—how her eyes lit up when kids ran with handfuls of feed, eager to feed the goats.
She loved this place full of wide smiles and red cheeks. So, I keep doing it, even if the crowd makes my skin crawl. After what happened to her, having people around the farm is just…harder than I like to admit.
The day Alex was here—I can still see it—the way her eyes went wide with panic. The sound of hooves pounding against thedirt. For one sickening second, I thought she would be flattened. But this time, I wasn’t a helpless boy.
I shake my head hard, forcing the memory back. I hated seeing that fear on her face. She doesn’t belong here. Not on my farm, not in my head. And yet—there she is.
That red hair, the sweet smell of her perfume. The infuriating smile that’s always plastered on her overwhelmingly beautiful face.
I huff, dragging another weed loose with more force than necessary. Damn woman’s been here one time, and she’s wedged herself into every corner of my mind.
I straighten, rubbing the dirt from my palms against my jeans. The driveway is finally cleared, one of the many chores checked off the list.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts of Alex and the little dimples that light up her cheeks.
It’s from Michelle, the neighbor who always helps set up for the event:
I’m so sorry Finley. I won’t be able to come set up the photo op or help decorate for this weekend. Family matters came up.
