Page 101 of One Reckless Moment

I nodded as Walker hopped off the ladder. The girls were flying in on the Kellys private jet with all of Owen’s immediate family—which was a lot since he had a ton of siblings. Walker, Axle, Reid, and I were all taking separate cars so we could fit everyone and their bags.

As we got into our own trucks, the nervous energy I had been feeling all day threatened to consume me. I drove to the airport in silence, rubbing my clammy palms on my jeans every few minutes.

This was it. This was the moment I saw my wife after complete radio silence for months. What if she wasn’t excited to see me? What if she just ignored me?

I pulled through the private airport gates and spotted the white jet with a crowd of people around it. Walker pulled up first, and Lottie ran into his arms as he lifted her off the ground in a hug.

I parked behind Reid and slowly got out of the truck, trying to resist my urge to run to Paige the moment I spotted her. I casually stepped up to stand next to the Brooks brothers and scanned the crowd for my girl.

I spotted her almost immediately as she laughed with Owen’s siblings. I could tell it was her, but she looked different somehow. Her hair was blonder, her skin was tanner, and she had this confidence that she never had before.

Owen’s sister nudged Paige’s shoulder their eyes glued on me. She glanced in my direction and her smile fell for a second before she waved at me with bright eyes.

Okay, that was a good sign.

I waved back, but fought every muscle in my body that wanted to walk up and wrap her in my arms. If I did that, I’d never let her go. We started grabbing suitcases and throwing them into the back of the trucks before piling in to head toward the ranch.

I tracked Paige as she followed Lottie and got into the back seat of Walker’s truck. I released a frustrated breath and got behind the wheel as people filtered in. It stung a little that she chose not to be near me, but I also understood this was an awkward place for a reunion.

Once the doors were shut, we took off into Ashton Creek. In my vehicle, I had Maggie, Nolan, and Aiden, who I had met in Vegas.

“I can’t believe this weekend is finally here,” Maggie said with a little shimmy of her shoulders.

“Why is everyone getting married at the same time?” Aiden asked, sinking back into his seat which made me laugh.

“You’re just mad your girl couldn’t come.” Nolan patted him on the knee.

“She’s not my girl,” Aiden grunted.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Maggie sang.

We fell into a comfortable silence as soft country music filled the cab of the truck.

Maggie’s eyes met mine and she smiled softly. “She’s doing good,” she said quietly. “She’s really happy.”

I nodded and didn’t pretend to not know what she was talking about. By now I assumed that everyone knew the true story of Paige and me. It was a good feeling, not having to lie about how we got together, and an even better feeling not having to pretend that I wasn’t madly in love with the girl.

“Just hear her out, okay?” Maggie added.

I didn’t respond, but my stomach sank. Hear her out about what? She either wanted to stay together or break up. There wasn’t much more to it, and if Paige thought I was going to just let her walk away without a fight, she was sorely mistaken.

We pulled into the ranch driveway, and Maggie gasped.

“Holy fuck, Lottie wasn’t joking. This place is stunning.”

“You’ll fall in love with it. This place has a way of fueling your soul.”

We parked in front of the house, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this beautiful place that had saved my life.

46

YEAH. WE’RE REALLY FUCKING DOING THIS, PIP

PAIGE

I trudged up the stairs with my suitcases to my little apartment and opened the door, taking a deep, calming breath. Dust kicked up in the sunlight that was peeking through the single window and the air smelled stale.

This was weird. I was not the same girl who left this place all those months ago.