Page 76 of Stay With Me Forever

Abby nodded, and I hesitated. Was I really going to talk to my little sister about this?

“West, just spit it out already, for fuck’s sake. You want more than Reno, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Abby smiled. “I knew you guys would get together.”

“It seems like everyone thought so.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes Zach can be pretty clueless when it comes to noticing someone’s into him, and others, for that matter.”

Given how he had never noticed that Amber was in love with him since forever, that didn’t surprise me.

“It’s just fucking complicated. Her past, my past, my kids.” I sighed. “Rationally, I know I should take the Reno hookup and forget about anything else. But…”

“But which wants her more—your penis or your heart?”

“If I never hear the word ‘penis’ coming from your mouth again, I’d die a happy man.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m an adult. At any rate, I’m on your side, West. If I can help, let me know. My gut says you two will work.”

“Why are you on my side, though? Yes, I’m your brother, but let’s not beat around the bush—I ran away when I should’ve stayed to help the family.”

She shrugged. “We each dealt with the death of our parents and our grief in different ways. When I was struggling to figure why so many of you left and kept leaving, Aunt Lori helped me to understand that you weren’t abandoning me but trying to cope with it all.”

“Abby.”

She put up a hand to silence me. “But I’m not the center of the universe, and I’m also not a little girl any longer. Last year I finally understood how running away might feel like solving your problem, even if it doesn’t help at all.” She cleared her throat, making me want to ask what she was talking about.

However, Abby didn’t let me get a word in. “At any rate, I’m sure you understand what keeps Emmy back from wanting more than a few days with you. But my best advice is to just be stubborn.” Her lips twitched. “Which should be easy, given how you’re a Wolfe.”

I rolled my eyes. “Being stubborn isn’t a problem. I’m good at that. But will it help?”

“It’s the only way our family and the BFF Circle stayed in Emmy’s life. I won’t spill all her secrets, but she tried to push away everyone who cared about her when she was little. So my advice is to be stubborn, West. And be sure, very sure, that she’s what you want.”

“I am,” I answered without hesitating. “I’m fucking terrified, but I sense that if I don’t go after her, I’ll regret it.”

“Good. And West?”

“Yes?” I asked carefully.

“I’m glad you came back.” Abby hugged me, and I stilled for a second before awkwardly patting her on the back. When she released me, she said, “And I hope you plan to stay.”

Despite everything, despite me leaving all those years ago, Abby didn’t hate me for it. And I hadn’t realized until this moment just how much I needed to know that.

After clearing my throat, I replied, “Starry Hills is home for me and my kids, and I have no plans of going anywhere.”

“Good.” She glanced around me and then smiled. “Someone finished early and is coming this way.”

I turned, and my gaze met Emmy’s. When she smiled, all of my tiredness melted away.

I met her halfway and barely restrained myself from kissing her. We’d agreed not to show affection in public. “Did you have a good day?”

She lit up, and I sucked in a breath at how fucking beautiful she was. Somehow I managed to listen to her answer and not just stare at her mouth. “An amazing day, for sure. I don’t know how many people who stopped by will become actual clients. But a lot of people loved my barn, the lavender fields, the decorations, and even the option to ride a horse to the ceremony. If it keeps up like this tomorrow, and people follow through, I might be booked up so far in advance that I’ll need to start thinking of other locations.”

I couldn’t resist taking her hand and squeezing it. “That’s fucking amazing, Emmy. And there’s always the calving barn you could renovate for smaller events too.”

Her brows came together. “Maybe.” Her expression cleared as she released my hand. “I just need to talk to Abby for a minute, okay?”

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