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“You said it was two bedrooms?” I asked, just to get us the fuck out of the bathroom.
“Yes! The other bedroom is this way.”
Once again, she grabbed my hand and led me back through her room and down a short hall off the living room. “There’s a bathroom there, then the guest bedroom is right here.”
I looked inside to find a queen-size bed and a smaller dresser. “It’s nice.”
“It’s great to have two bedrooms in case anyone wants to stay.”
I looked at her and nodded.
“I mean, like Rose or Lily or Avery. One of the girls.”
Smiling, I replied, “That’ll be fun.”
“Wait! I didn’t show you the best part of my room!”
I followed her back toward her room, missing the contact of her hand in mine. When we walked back inside, I noticed more built-in bookshelves. I’d been so focused on the goddamn bed, I’d missed half the room.
“I like the built-ins,” I said.
“That’s my favorite part. Well, except for the balcony that my dad had added on. There’s a small one off the kitchen and living room that looks out onto Main, but this one is more private and looks out over the small courtyard in the back. I mean, you can see the parking lot as well, but that’s okay.”
We both stepped outside, and I drew in a deep breath. Summer was here, and the air was crisp and smelled like flowers. In a few short months it might be filled with smoke if we got any wildfires. But we’d had a wetter than normal winter and spring, so I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case.
“I bet it’ll be great out here at night.”
Morgan nodded as she leaned over the rail. “I can’t wait to decorate it for fall and Christmas.”
I laughed again, and she turned to face me. “I’m actually not far from your place,” I said.
Right out of college, when I’d thought I needed to be on my own, I’d bought a small house close to downtown Hamilton. Slipping my hands into my pockets, I blew out a breath. “Or, I used to be. I sold my house.”
Her eyes went wide. “What? Why?”
With a half shrug, I replied, “I think I was going through a rebellion phase when I bought it straight out of college. I’m back at my parents’ ranch now. I’ve been looking for something with a bit of land to build on someday.”
“I see,” she said with a smile. “Are you living with your parents then?”
I shook my head. “Above the barn on the ranch.”
“Oh, wow. Easy commute.”
“Roll right out of bed and head to work.” I winked, noticing how her eyes seemed to flare at the action.
“Morgan! Morgan!” Avery called out.
She pushed away from the railing and headed back into her bedroom, with me following behind.
“I’m in here,” Morgan shouted.
Avery burst into the room, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. “These were delivered for you!”
I watched Morgan’s face light up. “From who?” she asked, taking the flowers and walking back into the living area. She set the bouquet on the kitchen counter, opened the card, and started reading it out loud. “Congratulations on your new adventure, Morgan. I cannot wait to see you thrive.”
She jerked her head up and looked at the now-full room. Brock, Blayze, Lincoln, and Hunter all stood there as well, smiles on their faces.
“Who’s it from?” Avery asked.
Morgan glanced back down at the card and slowly shook her head. “It’s not signed.”
“What’s not signed?” Georgiana asked as she stepped next to Blayze and set down a box.
“The card,” Morgan answered. “Did you send me flowers?”
Georgiana pointed to herself. “Me? No.”
“Did you get flowers too?” Avery asked.
With a shake of her head, Georgiana smiled at Morgan. “Secret admirer?”
When Morgan glanced my way, it actually pissed me off that I had to say the flowers weren’t from me. One, because I hadn’t thought of sending her flowers, and two, it meant someone else had—and that someone probably had a crush on Morgan.
“You didn’t send them either?” Morgan asked with what I swore was a hint of disappointment in her voice.
Sheepishly looking at the flowers and then at her, I replied, “No, I’m sorry. I wish I’d thought of it, though.”
That seemed to make her brighten up a bit.
“You have a secret admirer, Morgan!” Avery enthused. “I wonder who it is?”
Glancing back down at the card, Morgan grinned. “I guess I do.”
Annoyed, I watched Avery and Morgan start to name off potential people who could have sent them.
With a loud clap, Brock got everyone’s attention. “Let’s go, folks! The rest of those boxes won’t carry themselves up here.”
Hunter groaned while Blayze laughed. The latter fell in step next to me and bumped my shoulder. “Be careful, Ryan.”
“Of?” I asked, a note of frustration in my voice.
“From the way you were glaring at those flowers and clenching your fists, people might think you’ve got a thing for my sister.”
