Page 153 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
Gracie Reynolds was Cutler’s best friend. Hell, she’d become family over the years, and they were very close. She’d even spent two summers living in Rosewood River and interning for Emilia’s company, as she’d gone to school for interior design.
“That’s doubtful. She’s still in Paris and dating that pompous douchebag, Gabriel.” Cutler’s jaw clenched, and I didn’t miss the way his shoulders tensed.
“Yeah, Emilia and I took them to dinner when we were in Paris a few months ago, and I didn’t like the dude at all,” Bridger added.
“Well, you do hate most people,” I chuckled.
“True. But Emilia didn’t like him, either, and that’s saying a lot, because she loves everyone. The guy was a piece of work. He talked about himself the whole time, and I’m fairly certain he hit on our server right in front of Gracie. She tried to play it off, but I could tell she was upset.” He shrugged.
I glanced down to see Cutler’s hand fist at his sides. “I’d like to knock that fucker out. I don’t know what she’s doing with him.”
“You should have dated that girl years ago.” I gave him a look, because we always gave him time about it.
“Nah, we decided we were too good of friends back when we were in high school. We didn’t want to risk messing that up, not when we’re so connected through our families.” He blew out a breath. “But she’s my girl. Always will be.”
“I get that. And you’ve always been a bit of a heartbreaker, so you don’t want to go there.” I winked at him.
Cutler smirked as he shook his head. “Now you sound like Gracie.”
Bridger clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, if you can’t get her back here, you need to find someone to take on this job, because I don’t want Emilia to feel like she has to do it.”
“I got it. Let me see who I can find,” Cutler said, but now he looked a million miles away. As if talking about Gracie Reynolds had taken him far away.
Hell, she was in Paris, and he was here in Blue Sky Bay.
I knew he missed her, and the look on his face told me it was worse than I’d thought.
He hadn’t been the same since she’d left.
His phone vibrated in his back pocket, and he reached for it.
His entire demeanor changed when he looked down at his screen.
“Speak of the devil.” A wide grin spread across his face. “It’s my girl and she’s in Paris, so I need to take this. I’ll be back.”
He walked off, and I looked up at Bridger, who was staring out at the water. “You ready to build our family a home that we can all enjoy?”
“I am. I think we’re all ready.” I moved beside him as we walked along the property.
“Every bathroom is getting a badass toilet in this home,” he said. “I want to warm my ass in every bathroom in this house.”
“A palace filled with golden shitters sounds about right for the Chadwick family,” I said with a laugh.
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
“It’s a good life we’ve all built, isn’t it?” I asked as I turned to look at him. I was a lucky bastard. I had a wife I loved more than life itself, and a daughter and a son I was incredibly proud of.
“It is a good life. Minus the fact that my teenage daughter wants to spend a summer abroad with her girlfriends, and I’m not Liam fucking Neeson and I’m terrified of letting her go.”
Laughter bellowed from me. Bridger was an over-the-top father when it came to his three daughters. He was ridiculously protective, and we all made fun of him.
“You worry too much. I’ll have Melody talk to her.” I sighed as we both stared out at the waves crashing against the shore.
Some moments felt like life was moving too fast, and others felt like life was just beginning again.
And Blue Sky Bay was going to be a place we could all come to relax and be together.
As a family.
Just the way we liked it.
THE END
