Page 64 of One Reckless Moment

“I’ll talk to her when she can get off her high horse long enough to apologize.”

My mom chuckled and shook her head. “I have regrets raising you both to be so headstrong.”

A giggle rose out of me as I slipped off the counter. “This is obviously all your fault.”

I rounded the island and started the mixer to continue the cinnamon rolls. My mom joined me, sectioning out ingredients for the second batch as I worked the first.

We spent the rest of the morning filling the house with the glorious smell of freshly baked goods, laughing about more stories from the past—mostly ones where Lottie and I tested her patience.

It may have been true that Lottie and I had been at odds over small things in the past, like messed-up homecoming dresses, but this felt bigger. This felt like the moment that was going to make or break if we stayed as close as we’d been all these years or if we’d drift apart to be those siblings who only spoke on major holidays.

My mom was right, relationships worked both ways and distance was hard, but I was the only one putting in the effort. I couldn’t force her to care.

I shouldn’t have to.

29

FORBIDDEN WORDS AND DEEP SECRETS

CASH

“Where are we going?” Paige giggled as I dragged her behind me. We cut through the field behind the stables and down past Walker’s house.

“You’ll see,” I said over my shoulder as we rounded the path. Paige stopped in her tracks as we came into view of my surprise.

“Did you do this?” she asked, bringing her hand to her mouth.

“Why don’t you go and find out?” I pulled her forward onto the sandy shore of the lake at the back of the property.

Paige stopped at the edge of the blanket that rested on the beach and sucked in a breath. “I can’t believe you did this.”

I took in my setup as my chest puffed with pride. I could totally do this romance shit. On top of the blanket sat a basket filled with various meats and cheeses, as well as strawberries and chocolate—two of Paige’s favorite snacks.

She sank down onto her knees as I started setting everything up in front of us.

“This is all great, but I thought we shouldn’t stray from our roots,” I said with a smirk as I pulled the bottle of tequila out from the bottom of the basket.

Paige burst into laughter before she grabbed the bottle, pulled the cork out, and took a sip.

“I could never forget our start,” she cooed before handing the bottle back to me.

“That was the sexiest thing you could have done,” I said, staring at her before taking a sip from the bottle.

“Are you sure? I could probably think of something sexier.” She bit her bottom lip between her teeth, and my dick immediately came to life.

My eyes tracked to her mouth. “If you don’t stop looking at me like that then we’re not going to end up enjoying this lunch that I spent time planning and I’m going to drag you home to eat you.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat?” She arched her brow.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” I groaned as I tipped my head to the clear sky.

“Planning on it,” she said as she fucking winked at me.

“How was breakfast with your mom?”

Paige’s smile fell as she looked down and picked up a strawberry. “It was fine.”

I tracked her movements as she brought the strawberry to her lips and took a bite. Red juice from the strawberry dripped down her lip and she stuck her tongue out to lick it.