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Harlow’s not going to have her feelings hurt. She isn’t going to run off.
And after what I saw in the yard when we arrived, I’m pretty sure she’s going to take Kelsey’s territorial stake as a personal challenge. And rise to it.
Harlow gives me an adoring smile over her shoulder. “Well, the offer stands. But I suppose there are worse things than having Wade show me around his old stomping grounds.” One slender brow arches up and, cool as can be, she adds in a teasing lilt, “Maybe even a stop out at Gilman’s Ridge?”
I choke as Mom and Dad let out matching barks of surprise and the blood drains from Kelsey’s face.
“Dude,” my brother laughs. “Of all the places, you told her about the Ridge? Classy.”
The hell I told her about the Ridge. I haven’t even thought about Enderson’s infamous make-out point since I graduated from high school and started banging in dorm rooms and then my own place. But I’m guessing my favorite study-bug did a little extra-credit work on her own.
I can’t wait to hear what else she’s dug up.
Chapter 6
Wade
Itake my share of teasing over the next two hours. Kelsey excused herself not too long after we arrived, and I’ve been out back with Walt and Dad, just shooting the shit. Exactly like I’d hoped for. Dad wants to hear more about the endorsement deal I landed and if I’m stretching and keeping fit enough in the off-season. If any of the rumors about Baxter stepping into a coaching role are true.
For a guy whose heart broke the day I stopped throwing spirals, my dad is behind me in my hockey career one hundred percent.
Damn, it’s nice to be home.
But it’s almost four and I want to give Harlow a break this afternoon. Heading in, I find her sitting with my mom and Janie, checking out baby pics, all three of them shoulder to shoulder, talking a mile a minute. The sound of her laughter-laced chatter and coos almost makes me hesitant to go. My mom lifts her head and, catching me behind her, holds up the baby book for me.
“See how cute you were!”
“Potty training?” I choke, seeing not just my bare baby ass, but the twig and berries too.
The smile on Harlow’s face is pure delight as I come around the couch. I take her hand and pull her up and into my side. She’s not quite sure what to do with the fit, but after a beat of holding her arms stiffly at her sides, she eases into it, one arm sliding around my back.
Her body angles and her tits sort of nestle right up against my ribs.
It’s not a big deal. It’s just the way we’re standing. Like a couple… even though we aren’t one.
She didn’t grab my junk.
Her tongue isn’t in my ear.
But damn, that soft press of curves feels good, and it takes everything I have not to use my arm to squeeze her in even closer.
This girl is doing me a favor on the condition I’m a nice guy not out to take advantage of her while she’s isolated here in the middle of freaking nowhere.
Okay, it’s not quite that extreme, but I’m not going to be a douche.
So, holding my arm so it’s grazing her shoulders but not pressing in, I clear my throat.
“We’re going to run over to the hotel to check in and drop our bags. What’s the plan for tonight?”
Mom tells us to meet back at six because half the town is coming over.
I haven’t even started the engine before Harlow’s twisted around in her seat, leaning into the space between us, hands clasped in a tight, neat bundle in her lap. “Tell me. That was pretty good, right?”
She’s adorable.
“Oh yeah, very good.” Gravel crunches under the tires as I follow the loop out. “And how the hell did you know about the Ridge?”
She scoffs, sitting back. “Research. If I take on a project, I want to be prepared.”
