Chapter 23
Genevieve
Kit and I are putting the last clipboard and stack of flyers in the final container when Luke walks up to Starlight Vet Clinic’s tent.
My breath catches at the sight of him, and I let my eyes drink him in. Sleeves rolled up on that white button-down, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his brown eyes impossible to read beneath that signature baseball cap.
Tiny points of heat move across my face, and I know he’s watching me just as intently.
Swallowing hard, I give him a shy smile. Then make sure that everything in the container is neatly organized.
Kit side eyes me before talking to Luke. “We missed you and Bogey today. Gen mentioned that you might be stopping by.”
“That was the plan.” Luke lifts the brim of his hat, and slides it back in place. “But I had an unexpected call I needed to take that threw the rest of my day off.”
Technically, my sign off.
My stomach flips, wondering if he’s talking about my ‘two little words’.
“Hope everything’s okay.” Kit says as she lifts the container.
“Let me.” Luke grabs it from Kit’s hands. “Where do you want it?”
“Just over there.” She points to the ground by the edge of the tent. “Beau should be back any second to grab it.”
“Do you need help with anything else?” Luke is directing his question to Kit, but I can once again feel his gaze on me. Meeting his eyes, the corner of my lips lifts, and he gives me a lopsided grin.
“Nope. The town will take care of the tent tomorrow, so we’re good. Thank you, though. Besides, you and Gen need to head over to the constellation tour. Have you ever been before?”
“When I was younger.”
“Oh, are you in for a treat! Right Gen?” Kit’s eyes gleam as she nudges me. “Gideon and Aurora have turned into an amazing event. You’re going to love it!”
Gideon and Aurora Wren own The Glowing Fork, a restaurant where the entire theme is the night sky. Their taking over the constellation tour for the annual festival was a no-brainer, but they brought so much more to it than anyone expected.
“I’m pretty sure I would’ve enjoyed it just based on the company.”
“That just won you some brownie points, Nichols,” Beau teases as he walks up to the container. “Is this the last one?”
I nod, and Beau sighs in relief, dramatically wiping his brow. “Thank goodness. I swear, Kit makes me work harder than I ever have to on the Rugby field.”
“Ha!” Kit snorts.
“I got it,” Luke says, grabbing the container before Beau reaches it. “I’d hate for you to strain a muscle.”
A squeak of laughter falls from both Kit and me as Beau’s eyes narrow slightly. “Showing off, Nichols?”
To my surprise, Luke chuckles. “Not at all. You just looked like you could use a hand.”
“Thanks, Luke. My husband’s whining is getting on my nerves.” Beau gives his wife a mock glare, while she smiles overly brightly at him. “Beau, honey, can you show Luke where to go?”
“Of course, dear,” Beau responds, leaning in and whispering something in Kit’s ear that has her smile getting impossibly bigger and giggling like a schoolgirl.
“I’ll hold you to it,” she whispers and winks.
I groan, not wanting to know what has Kit responding like that. They’ve been flirting all day long, and I’ve had enough of the newlyweds.
“Lead the way, Matthews.”
Beau winks at Kit before him, and Luke walks to Beau’s truck.
“I think I liked the two of you better when you were rivals.” I hip check my sister as we watch them walk away.
“Nah, this being married is definitely more fun.” Kit slips her arm through mine and chuckles, waggling her brows at me. “Did you catch the way Luke was watching you?” She fans herself and closes her eyes. “Oh my.”
My shoulders drop, and I exhale.
“What?” She rests against the table.
“He hasn’t said anything.”
“He just got here!”
“I meant by text.”
“Did you ever think that maybe he didn’t want to talk about it through a text message?”
She’s drilling holes in my cheek with that stare of hers, and I chew on my bottom lip, shrugging.
“Genevieve, seriously. You don’t address an accidental ‘love you’ through a text. That’s a miscommunication trope waiting to happen, and an easy opportunity for you to deny it.”
“Deny what?” Beau asks from over Kit’s shoulder, causing both of us to jump. Beau snorts and comes around to stand in front of his wife, pulling her into his arms.
My eyes snap to Luke, curious how much they heard, pulse thudding loud in my ears. The expression on his face is neutral, not giving anything away.
Kit easily lets Beau pull her against him, and she grins. “How much you enjoy doing hard labor.”
Luke reaches out and takes my hand. “We should get going so we get a good seat.”
Watching as he entwines our fingers together, my cheeks pull up, and I shift my gaze to his face. His eyes darken, and the softest flutter darts around my belly. “I brought a blanket.”
“Oh,” Luke’s eyes widen, and my cheeks flame. “I didn’t think about that.”
“You never know what critters are lurking on the ground.” Kit shudders and Beau snickers. “A blanket is a must.”
“Good thing you’ve done this before.” Luke leans in and kisses me on the cheek. My lips were disappointed for being ignored. “Are the two of you joining us?”
“No,” Kit answers. “We have an amazing view from our backyard, and a hammock that’s calling our names.”
“I’m still not sure that we’re both going to fit in it.”
“I told you that it says it will fit two people.”
Luke and I both glance toward Kit and then Beau. Only for Luke to say, “I think Beau counts as two people.”
When we all turn toward him, mouths hanging open. Luke grumbles, “Did I say that out loud?”
“On that note…” I chuckle. Tugging Luke’s hand, pulling him toward where the constellation tour is being held. “We should probably start heading over to the field. I’m sure they're about to get started soon. You two have fun watching from home.”
“Have fun.” Kit giggles, kissing a grumbling Beau.
“Thank you,” Luke whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m not sure what it is about Beau’s size that has me saying the dumbest things.”
“It takes a bit to get used to. I remember the first time I saw him since high school.” I squeeze his hand.
“You said dumb things about it, too?”
“Well, I was a bit distracted by the fact that he married my sister and had a lot to say about that. Usually, I’m good at only thinking stupid things, and not letting them slip out of my mouth.”
Luke’s fingers stretch out before wrapping around mine again. “Have you said anything stupid recently?”
“Maybe…”
“Maybe?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure?”
“Are you going just to keep repeating everything I say?” I place myself in front of him and catch him pressing his lips together, eyes gleaming.
“That depends.” He utters gruffly, as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him.
“Depends on what?”
He leans in, brushes his nose against mine, and whispers against my lips. “Did you say something stupid, or did you just slip?”
My throat works as I take a slow breath, the words I said earlier on the tip of my tongue. Luke’s eyes are begging me to answer, but the words get stuck. “What if I just slipped?”
Pressing his lips softly against mine, my knees buckle. “Then I’d have to say it was the best news I’ve had all day.”
“Oh?” I slip his hat off his head, because if he’s going to say what I think he is, I want to see his eyes. He self-consciously runs a hand through his hair, making sure it’s not sticking up, and I cover my mouth.
“What?”
“You.”
“What about me?” Shaking my head, giggling, Luke beams at me, and my knees go weak. When I just keep laughing, he puts his hands over my ribs. “Don’t make me tickle it out of you.”
“NO!” I screech, pushing at his arms. Luke throws his head back and laughs.
“I won’t,” He says, pulling me closer, his chest rumbling against mine. “That wouldn’t be nice to do to the woman I love, would it?”
I freeze, his warm arms pressing me flush against him.
“What did you say?” I ask, breathless.
“I said I won’t—”
“I heard that one. What about the other thing?”
Luke’s gaze pins me, and he gently pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his arm fully supporting my weight. “You mean ‘the woman I love’ part?”
Nodding, his lips pull up, and he grins. “Well, that could’ve been a slip. It all depends.”
“Luke, that’s not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny.” Shaking my head, he guffaws. “And that’s how I felt all day, Genevieve. But it wasn’t a slip. I love you.”
“You do?”
And then Luke Nichols does something I’ve never seen him do. He rolls his eyes. “Not really. I just adopted a dog on the off chance that you’d help me and possibly find me deserving of a second chance.”
“You did, didn’t you? You must really love me.”
“You have no idea, Genevieve Garrett,” his voice was serious, leaving no room for me even to consider that he might be teasing. Cupping my cheek, he leans in, whispering against my mouth, “You are everything I’ve ever wanted, and then some. I love you, Gen.”
“I love you, too, Luke.” He leans in, but right before his lips press against mine, I pull my head back. “Looks like Golf’s Grim Reaper stole my soul after all.”
“I don’t want your soul, Gen.” Luke’s expression turns soft. “Just your heart.”
“It’s yours,” I whisper. “It’s always been yours…but this time, you better keep it.”