Page 102 of Forever in the Country

“Just a guy.” I pause. “But don’t be like me—live your life and take chances. I let twenty years go by waitin’ for the other shoe to drop.”

We both stare out to where my parents disappeared from sight.

“I can’t let it go yet.”

“Then just know that when you’re ready…” I motion around us but don’t say anything else. I don’t need to. We’ve both probably shared more in this one conversation than most people get out of us in a week.

And wouldn’t you know, I got a couple more things to say.

46

RHEA

It took a couple of days for all the excitement to die down before we could get everyone together to celebrate at Waylon and Marlee’s. It seemed prophetic to be at the place where it all started so many years ago.

Miss Thelma had been tight-lipped about any additional shenanigans that had pushed Vivian and Michael out of town but it didn’t matter. It had worked, Sheriff Kade hadn’t arrested anyone, and Sorren had taken me on every surface of our house.

I sidle up next to Otto and take baby Rosie from his arms. “Hey, that’s mine,” he grumbles and I chuckle as Case comes striding over.

“I had dibs on next.” He pouts and I roll my lips inward.

“Well, if I were you, I’d focus my energy on figuring out what you’re going to do now that Sorrenknowsabout the social media account.”

Otto’s eyes widen and Case whips around trying to find out where my boyfriend is located and if he has enough time to escape. No doubt he’d sacrifice his twin to save himself.

“How did you get out of it?” Otto asks, unease clear in his tone.

“I just had to suck his dick and all was forgiven,” I say flippantly.

“Rhea!” Otto screeches before placing his hands over Rosie’s tiny ears. The little girl is fast asleep despite her father’s outrage.

“I seriously didn’t need to know that,” Case says as he drags his hands down his face and groans.

I arch an eyebrow at him. “Um, did you forget we share a wall? At least when Sorren and I do something at the bakery, we close the connecting door first.”

The tips of Case’s ears turn pink as he searches for Hannah and then sprints off in her direction, muttering under his breath.

“Good luck!” I call after him and Otto snorts. “You’re not worried?” He shrugs but there’s a smile on his lips.

“I knew what I was getting into.” The only one likely to escape unscathed is Miss Thelma, and that’s only because she’s basically a cornerstone in Clementine Creek, and I hope to be just like her one day.

“Hey Otto,” Sorren says casually, causing my brother’s eyes to widen unnaturally, “mind if I hold the baby?”

“What? No, of course not. All yours. I mean notyoursbut you know.” He slaps Sorren on the back and then looks around. “I think Fallon is callin’ me. I better go find her.”

“Hmm.” He watches Otto scurry away before looking back at me. “That was weird, right?” he asks while taking Rosie from my arms.

“I told him you know about the videos.” He smirks as his gaze scorches a trail down my body. He’d punished me all night for not telling him, bringing me so close to orgasm so many times I was practically weeping when he finally pushed me over the edge.

It had been intense and incredible, and I’d had a little trouble sitting the next day. As if he’s reading my mind, he smirks.

And winks.

Swoon.

The wink is totally underrated in my opinion, and seeing this man holding a baby is just the cherry on top.

“I never asked,” he says quietly, looking from the baby back to me, “if you wanted this.”

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