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Of course, Grady was handsome. Ridiculously handsome. And, now he was more … everything. Time had only done him good. His cheekbones were sharp, his jaw too. He had this tiny dimple when he smiled. His lips curled at one corner, his smile stretching to the other. All of this came equipped with the requisite dark hair and blue eyes of the Silver brothers. Enough to make my hormones fan themselves. My belly instantly executed a flip, and I felt hot all over.

“How are you, Eden? Ranger said he was picking you up today.” Grady tilted his head to the side, not hesitating to openly study me for a beat.

Heat blazed from my toes all the way up to my scalp. I blinked, scrambling for some composure. “Hey, Grady.” Of course, instead of sounding calm and composed, my voice came out a little squeaky. Awesome.

“How are you?” he asked, his voice all rumbly and low.

“I’m well.” Dammit, still squeaky. “How have you been?”

“Pretty good.”

We fell into step beside each other because it was either that, or I stand there like an idiot in the hallway, which felt very crowded and small with his strong presence. He had been tall in high school, but now it seemed even more obvious as he towered over me. Before I thought better of it, my question slipped out.

“How tall are you, Grady?”

“Six-three now. I’m as tall as Lincoln.” He chuckled. “Who knew? Because I’m also the youngest.”

“Uh-huh.” I swallowed and peered up at him briefly. “Well, I’m still short.”

“You are,” he agreed, waggling his brows.

As we walked out into the group together, I told myself not to feel too unsettled. “Have you met Chloe?” Grady asked seconds later as he stopped beside a woman who had brown hair with blonde streaks and pretty blue eyes.

“I don’t think so. I just got back to town maybe an hour ago.”

“Chloe, this is Eden Pottinger. She’s Ranger’s little sister.” Grady gestured between us, adding, “Chloe pretty much runs Heartfire Falls now, and she and Lincoln are engaged.”

Chloe smiled, her entire vibe warm and welcoming, like a ray of sunshine. “Hey, nice to meet you. Are you moving back?”

“I am.”

“That is so awesome! I’m new to town, sort of. I’ve been here about a year now but everyone has been so welcoming, I feel like I’ve lived here my whole life.”

Lincoln Silver stopped at Chloe’s side, curling an arm around her waist and bending to press a lingering kiss on her cheek without the slightest hesitation. They appeared entirely smitten.

Grady

Just trying to help

* * *

I was swept into the busy cluster of my family. Lincoln and Chloe were the newest happy couple, and I knew what that meant. Our mom would have her sights set on me and Asher next. I figured maybe I could skate out of her attention zone by reminding her I was the youngest of all of my siblings.

As if she read my fucking mind, my mother stopped at my side, setting her empty glass on a table nearby. “Eden’s back,” she announced, as if I somehow didn’t already know this.

“I know, Mom.”

“I didn’t know she was coming back,” she added, her tone sounding way too casual.

“Hmm,” I said vaguely. I was not taking this bait.

“She’s a lovely girl,” she added.

“Yeah, she is,” I agreed when she looked at me expectantly. I knew she would accuse me of being rude if I didn’t acknowledge that my best friend’s little sister was beautiful.

“Well, what do you think?”

“About what?” Uh-oh. My irritation showed, which I knew was a giveaway.