Page 16 of Small Town, Big Storm

“What about bubblegum?”

Her eyes—those damn, distinctive gray eyes I both love and hate—go wide as she snags the cup from me.“That’s what I got.See?”

“Is it?”His gaze flicks to mine then back to Holly.“That’s my favorite.Is it any good?”

A sage nod.“The gumballs are thebest.”

“Then I’ll have to get some.”Another flick of his gaze to mine, something unreadable in the gray depths.“As long as your mom is okay with it.”

“Scoops is for everyone, isn’t it, Mom?”

“Yeah, baby,” I say.Not that it matters.She’s already grabbed Storm’s hand and is dragging him back toward the ice cream shop.“Oh, God,” I whisper as I follow them.

How could I have let this happen?

“Chloe!”I hear as I push through the door, just in time to see my daughter take off running again—this time across the old-fashioned tile and pull her friend, Chloe, into a tight hug.They jump up and down, Holly’s ice cream wavering dangerously before she rights it.

“Hey, honey.”

I turn and foldmyfriend, Finn, in my arms.“You look great.”

Her mouth kicks up.“A trip to Switzerland and a hot hockey boyfriend will do that to a girl.”

“Is Rhodes”—her boyfriend plays for the Oakland Eagles—“still treating you right?”

She lifts her hand, the sparkly diamond on her ring finger on full display.

“Oh, my God!”I squeal, doing an impersonation of my daughter as I jump up and down, albeit without the side of nearly dropping my ice cream.

Scoops’ rocky road is far too delicious to risk, no matter how delightful the news of my friend’s engagement is.

She pulls back, presses a hand to her cheek, as though her smile is so wide it aches there.“I know,” she whispers.“I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“Not lucky,” I remind her, ignoring the bolt of jealousy slicing through me.“It’s well-deserved.”

Her smile softens.“You deserve to be this happy too.”

I force a laugh, very aware of Storm standing just a couple of feet away.

He’s ordering at the counter, but I have the distinct feeling that he’s listening to every word that Finn and I are exchanging.

“I have a daughter and a bar,” I tell her.“That’s enoughwell-deservedfor me, thank you very much.”

Finn laughs and then Holly is bouncing over to Storm, who’s now paying for his cup of bubblegum ice cream.“Wanna come to the park with us?”

Finn’s wide-eyed gaze comes to mine and her voice drops.“Um, wanna share who the hottie your daughter is picking up is?”

No.Ireallydon’t want to share that.

But I have to stop my daughter from torturing me first.

“Honey,” I interject, “I’m sure Storm?—”

Finn jerks, and if I thought her eyes were wide before, now they’re freaking saucers.

I ignore that, push on.“—doesn’t want?—”

“I’d love to come to the park with you,” he interjects, his eyes connecting with mine for a heartbeat.