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“Four badasses who scale buildings, rescue hostages in South America while taking out members of a drug cartel—two of which were shot… You expect me to believe you sat in a room running operations?” she hedges.
“She’s right.” Harley offers her support.
“No one said we sat in a room running operations.” Ace grins confidently.
“This mom will gladly accept the watered-down version, knowing all are safe and no one ended up in the hospital,” Celia declares. “This calls for a celebration.”
“The reasons for celebrating keep adding up,” Mom mentions off-handedly.
I freeze as all heads swing her way. She’s oblivious until Ford speaks.
“Adding up?”
“Yes, Rowan’s pro—” she trails off, her face paling.
Ford looks at me quizzically. “Baby? You got something to say?”
“Now’s not really the time.”
“Bullshit, you have something to commend, you share it,” Harley calls me out. “We are your family.”
I fidget, glancing through the crowd of curious stares, and take a deep breath. Why am I so nervous about this?
“I am producing my own product line. Dad and I finalized three formulas I’ve been testing.”
“Wait a minute. Back this bus up. You finalized formulas, meaning you created them?” Jewls’ southern twang is in full effect.
I nod.
“Maybe you should tell them the whole story,” Ford encourages, brushing his lips across my forehead.
I launch into my history with my grandmother, my college studies, and what led me to this path. When I’m done, jaws drop and eyes bulge. My skin tingles and stomach coils as all eyes bore into me. The room is silent until a low whistle comes from Talon.
“Wow, you’ve come a long way from lip balms and body scrubs. Congratulations!” Addie launches forward, hugging me tight.
The room erupts, questions and praise coming from all directions. Ford remains at my back, his arms around my waist protectively.
Over the commotion, there’s a loud pop, a cork flying in the air. Champagne is passed around, everyone tipping their glass my way.
“Fucking proud of you,” Ford whispers before kissing along my neck.
“I mean, it’s not being part of a special operations team that seized one of the largest drug shipments in Nashville history…” I tip my face to his.
His eyes turn to a glorious shade of green, his lips curling. “Love you.”
Emotions from the day swell inside and a lump forms in my throat.
There is no telling what will happen next. But being in this room, in his hold, with all these people I care about, is everything.
16
FORD
“That’s it? You should think about this, man, both of you.” Major flicks his fingers to Talon and me. “No hard feelings.”
“Decision is made,” I deadpan, holding his gaze and beating back the frustration.
“You could fuck up your chances,” Ace clips.
