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I miss him every day.
“Come on. Let’s load up and head out. You have a man to surprise, and I have road trip snacks to consume.” She grins.
I stand and pull her into a hug. My hold on her is fierce, because I can’t find the words to tell her what this means to me. “I love you, Gianna. Thank you for this. I’ll never forget it.”
She eases away, her eyes shimmering with tears. “I love you, too. You’re the sister I never had, and I’d do anything for you.” She wipes at her eyes. “I was going to say I’d do anything for love, but that’s too much of a Meatloaf moment.”
“Stop.” I laugh, swatting at her arm. We move to gather her bags and load them into her car before grabbing mine as well. I lock my car and settle into the passenger seat. I bite down on my cheek to hide my smile, but then I remember where I am and who I’m with. I don’t have to hide my excitement.
We pull into the mall at the same time as Talia and her boyfriend, Jeff. I thank both of them for their help, and they wave off my praise. There are so many good people in the world, it’s a shame the bad overshadow that. I make a mental note to do something nice for the two of them. Gianna, too. I owe them all so much for helping me make this weekend happen.
I quickly transfer my bags, as do the others. Jeff kisses Talia and speeds away in Talia’s car.
“Call me if there are any issues.” I hand her my cell phone.
“I’ve got you. We better go. We don’t want her to see that we stopped here for too long.”
“I already have a plan. You ordered a gift for your gram, and we had to stop and pick it up.” Not that I expect my mother to be watching every second, but I want to be prepared.
Gianna grins. “We’re really good at this undercover business.”
She pulls me into a hug and when she releases me, I hold my arms open for Talia. With one final wave, we quickly gather in our cars and head in the opposite direction of one another.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, my smile is blinding.
I’m ready to see my man.
Gripping the wheel of the rental, I pass the Welcome to Willow River sign. I navigate the town as if I’ve lived here my entire life. I guess that’s the advantage of small-town living, and I, for one, am here for it. I love the closeness and how you can walk down the street and someone calls out your name. Everyone knows everyone. It’s a completely different world, and I love it.
My hands tremble when I get to Ryder’s. I pull into the driveway. His truck is there, as well as another. I’m sure it’s one of his brothers, but I don’t know which one.
I hate that. I should know these kinds of things. I can only hope that one day we’ll be in a place where that information is something that comes freely to me.
Pulling behind Ryder’s truck, I put the car in Park and take a deep breath. I don’t know why I’m nervous. He tells me daily, even when I don’t get to reply every day, that he misses me and that he loves me. He’s going to be happy to see me. I need to let the negativity of my mother go and just be me. The me who is madly in love with the man who owns this house. The man who stole my heart and stood by my side through two hellish years.
The man who never once gave up on me.
That thought pulls me out of my head and has me grabbing my keys, my burner phone in case Gianna needs me, and making my way to the front door. Squaring my shoulders, I knock on the door. I hear shouting inside, and then the door opens. A smiling Maverick—I think—greets me.
I can see the moment it registers who’s standing before him, because his mouth falls open in disbelief. I grip my phone and keys tighter and will myself not to squirm under his gaze.
“Hi,” I whisper. Ryder has assured me his family isn’t upset with me for hurting him, for trying to protect all of them, but this is my first run-in with any of them since I’ve been back. I hate that it’s one of the twins and I can’t tell them apart. I’m pretty sure it’s Maverick, but I’m not certain.
A slow, sexy grin pulls at this twin's lips. He winks and turns over his shoulder. “Hey, Ry, there’s some hot chick at your door!” he yells. He turns back to me and points at his chest. “I’m Maverick.”
