It doesn’t work. Oaklee rolls her eyes. “Oh no. Ivy will get to work on her tan whereas sipping beers and margaritas. We get to sweat in a sizzling kitchen. Not truthful. I can’t wait till I’m older.”

“I can,” Ella Mae provides with a smile earlier than shoving her kitchen helpers out the again door.

I shortly eat a burrito—okay, two burritos—and switch to Peaches. “I’ll get the bar arrange first if that’s cool?”

She folds her arms, obvious at me like I’ve offended her. “You callin’ me previous, Ivy?”

I chuckle once more. “Did we not simply discuss this exterior? You’ll by no means be previous. However in case you actually need to haul the bar slats throughout the yard, I’ll fortunately arrange the chairs.”

“Good ass,” she growls, making me chuckle. “Anyway, there’s no have to haul something. You haven’t been right here because the final occasion, and I purchased one thing.” She appears to be like like a child in a sweet retailer as she drags me out of the again door and factors.

I stare for an extended second, uncertain what to say at first earlier than I decide on the plain. “You got a tiki bar?”

“I did. I do know the tiki factor clashes with the entire cowboy biker factor, nevertheless it’s lovely, proper?” Peaches doesn’t await me to reply. “I’ve a number of issues to biker and cowboy it up, so I’ll try this whilst you inventory the bar and fill the coolers.”

“Sounds good.” I smile at Peaches one final time earlier than carrying containers of liquor, beer, and ice to the bar. She’s including cowboy decals to the bar, sticking cowboy hats on high of the palm thatch roof and including MC colours with a smile. She’s in a great temper, higher than common, and I really feel like I’m lacking one thing. “Peaches?”

“Yeah, honey?” Her focus is on a big-ass Reckless Bastards sticker she’s slowly placing on the entrance of the bar, nevertheless it feels bizarre, like she’s purposely not taking a look at me.

“What’s all of the fuss about? This appears a bit excessive for a daily MC get-together.”

“Oh yeah,” she replies, smoothing the sticker’s edge. “We’re celebra?—”

“Hey Ma! I’m dwelling!” The voice cuts by the air, acquainted because the Texas warmth. Haven’t heard it in, what, 5 years? However I’ve performed it in my head extra instances than I’d prefer to admit, all the time questioning if we’d ever cross paths once more. As I flip round, my coronary heart does a full-on rodeo. Stone Nilsson. My best-fucking-friend turned ghost.

To say I’m in shock can be the understatement of the century. He’s tall, blond, and grinning like he’s simply stepped out for a fast experience, not vanished for half a decade. I’m frozen to the spot, clutching a field of tequila prefer it’s my lifeline, my jaw virtually unhinged.

“Stone?” I handle, my voice barely a whisper as our eyes lock. His shock mirrors mine. Peaches is on the transfer and rushes throughout the yard with a giant smile.

“My child’s dwelling,” she hollers out as he meets her on the fringe of the driveway and scoops her right into a hug, spinning her round.

“Ma. You look as lovely as ever.”

I can’t peel my eyes away. That blond mane is a lifeless giveaway, now pulled again with a black bandana, framing a face that’s someway grown much more good-looking. Manly. The scruff, these dancing blue eyes, and that smile that might gentle up the darkest nights. He’s bought large, broad shoulders, and people denims match him like they had been molded to his thighs, very sculpted thighs, thanks very a lot.

Not that I discover. I’ve bought a person of my very own, in spite of everything. Stone’s only a chapter from a previous life.

However then he strides over, his smile widening as he zeroes in on me. The field of tequila is immediately out of my palms, and I’m pulled in opposition to a chest that feels prefer it’s carved from marble.

“Rattling, Ivy! It’s so fucking good to see you,” he breathes, his embrace wrapping me in a familiarity I didn’t notice I’d missed a lot. “I’m so glad you’re right here.”

“Stone,” I say, however my voice is muffled in opposition to his chest.

He pulls again, eyes scanning me like he’s memorizing each change. “You grew up good, Ivy.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “You too, Stone.” My eyes do a fast sweep, strictly nonchalantly, as I catch myself admiring the strong really feel of his arms. “What brings you again? Staying for good?”

He slings an arm round me, as straightforward as respiratory. “Yeah, I’m dwelling for good,” he says. It seems like no time has handed, but all the pieces’s modified.

Pulling away, I busy myself with unloading bottles, needing the distraction. “You can’ve reached out. Not even a goodbye, Stone.”

“I couldn’t.” He scrubs one hand down his jaw earlier than sighing closely. “After what occurred with that dude, Dad informed me to get the hell outta Dodge and by no means look again. I didn’t need to depart, Ivy. And particularly with out saying goodbye. Consider me, I’d’ve reached out if I may have.”

I’m unsure how I really feel proper now. It’s been 5 years. I’ve moved on however seeing him now brings all that harm and confusion proper again to the floor.

“I’m glad you’re secure, Stone. And I’m glad you’re dwelling.” I blow out an extended breath and get again to work. We have now a celebration to complete organising.

“You don’t sound joyful,” he notes, a touch of concern in his voice as I tear into one other field.

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