“Because it’s beautiful.”
I melt.
I disintegrate into vapor.
“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your smile is, Meadow?”
Holy fucking shit.
Owen Brooks did not just say that to me.
I’m dying.
I’m succumbing to a slow, sweet death. Waiting for my last breath to pull me under.
I open my mouth, having no idea what’s about to come out, when a sharp knock rattles from the door.
We both inhale a sharp breath, our bodies jolting at the sound.
SIX
Owen
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The hard raps coming from the front door do nothing to pull our gazes apart.
Meadow’s eyes are blown wide from what I just said.
Keep doing it.
Because it’s beautiful.
And by the way my heart is slamming against my ribs, I’m sure my expression looks just as stunned as hers.
The knock comes a fourth time—louder and sharper than before—causing us to flinch and finally break our trance.
“I’ll get it,” I manage, clearing the roughness from my throat as I drag my fingers through my hair.
“Yeah,” Meadow replies breathlessly, still frozen by the railing. I can tell she’s digesting my words as her chest rises and falls with labored breaths.
I’m sure I’ve told Meadow she looked pretty before. I know I have.
But beautiful?
That’s new. It’s a simple term that’s said a million times a day, but still, it feels much more meaningful than 'pretty.'
I flash Meadow a half-smile before turning and walking toward the door. When she finally finds her feet, I hear her follow behind me.
When I open the door, a familiar voice explodes through the suite like a grenade.
“OWENNNN!You fucking made it, man!”
I have no time to brace myself before Tyler Greenwood, my friend who’s getting married, slams into me with a full-body hug that knocks me back half a step. He’s six-three and built like a damn bulldozer, but is also the biggest golden retriever you’ll ever meet.
“Jesus Christ, Ty,” I chuckle, trying to catch my breath as he smacks me on the back hard enough to realign my spine. “You trying to break my back before the wedding?”
“Dude, you traveled here all the way from Chicago,” he beams, already pushing past me into the living area. “I had to give you a proper welcome, Brooks.”
