Bitter Love: Silver Ridge, #2

By Emily Goodwin

If there's one thing I know to be certain in life, it's to expect the unexpected. I never expected to become a teen mom or have to flee a toxic relationship years later. And I certainly never expected to go head-to-head with Jacob Harris, doctor of veterinary medicine, to prove I'm worthy of running the struggling rescue full of misfit animals I suddenly inherited.

 

Jacob is as smug as he is good looking, and I refuse to let that cocky grin or sharp jawline distract me. I won't go down without a fight, and this time, it'll be easy to stand my ground when my opponent is someone I can't stand—even though my body reacts whenever he's around. This time I'm not backing down no matter how much he gets under my skin.

 

But the more I push, the more he pulls..until I don't know what I'm more at a risk of losing: the rescue or my heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emily Goodwin
• Release date: Apr 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201534097

Book preview

Chapter One

JOSIE

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO…

Atear rolls down my cheek, but I don’t bother to wipe it away. Another will just take its place in only seconds anyway. I look at the paper in my hand: the corner of it crinkled from being gripped so hard. A voice in the back of my mind tells me I shouldn’t have done that, that I should have been more careful.

Because this is the kind of paper Mom will hang on the fridge.

But there’s no point. It doesn’t matter. And now more tears fall from my eyes, splashing onto the handwritten note, smearing the black ink.

Jo? someone calls, their voice coming from the hall. I need to say something. Turn. React. But I can’t.

Jo? my sister calls again and then knocks on my door. I still can’t move. It’s like deep roots have anchored me to the floor and they’re the only thing holding me steady right now. If I focus on this—on standing as still as I can be while silently crying—then I can stay numb.

But the second the numbness wears off everything will come crashing down on me and I’m going to suffocate under the weight. What scares me almost more is how much I want that to happen. Because then it will be over.

Jo, everyone is wondering where you are. Elijah is going to open presents soon and Stella is about to have another meltdown. Louisa’s voice is muffled from speaking through the closed door, and I can only imagine my sister cupping her hands around her mouth as she talks into the door. Mom sent me up to get you and you really need to stop being so antisocial.

She rattles the doorknob to our shared bedroom. Unlock the door. I’ll tell Mom you locked me out.

I’m hearing what she’s saying but the words aren’t clicking. Nothing is clicking right now. I can’t let it. Because if this clicks so will something else.

Jo! She rattles the door again and then bangs a heavy fist against it. You’re acting like a selfish brat, you know that, right? The unmistakable sound of a bobby pin clanking around the keyhole fills the silence. She’s going to come inside the room at any moment.

And then she’ll know.

They’ll all know.

But I can’t hide it forever. A couple of months if I’m lucky.

Jo, you seriously— She cuts off as she throws the door open and sees my face. What’s wrong? Music and laughter float up the stairs and into the room. I know I need to pull myself together and enjoy my little brother’s birthday party. Jo, she repeats and crosses the room, snatching the paper out of my hand. I can hardly see her through my tears as she quickly reads.

You got it, she whispers as she reads. You got the internship! This is great! She tips her head back up, hazel eyes meeting mine. Why aren’t you downstairs waving this around? You’ve busted your butt all year to get this internship.

I swallow the lump in my throat and part my lips, but I’m not able to get any sound out. Some of the shock is starting to wear off and panic is setting in. I have worked hard for that internship.

You can turn it down, Louisa says slowly, trying to figure out why I’m crying. But if you turn it down because you don’t want to leave your stupid horse then you’re even stupider.

I do want it, I finally say. And I do. I’ve known I was destined to be a veterinarian since I was a little. This internship would look so good on my college applications, giving me a better chance of getting accepted at my top choice school: Cornell University. That’s the problem.

I am not following.

I point to the single nightstand we have in between our beds. It takes Louisa a few seconds to find what’s out of place amongst the mess. She picks up the pregnancy test and the color drains from her face.

Jo…you…no. Her eyes go from me to the test again. There’s no mistaking the two pink lines. It’s going to be okay. She throws her arms around me and the dam I was holding breaks.

How? I squeak out, throat tight.

You have options. She gives me a squeeze and lets go, taking both my hands in hers. You don’t have to have a baby if you don’t want to. You’re only sixteen.

Her words hit me and a strangled sob escapes my lips. Letting go of my hands, she hurries to close the door. Then she’s back by my side, guiding me to the bed. Like any sisters, we have our moments of hating each other and being there for each other. And right now, I’m really glad my older sister is with me.

I don’t know how far along I am. My words come out shakily.

When was your last period? Her brows pinch together, going into problem-solving mode. It’s something that’s always irritated me about her. You can’t analyze everything, putting emotion to the side. Though right now, I need it.

I shake my head, not knowing. I thought I had one last month, but it was really light.

Okay. She bobs her head up and down again. What do you want to do?

I blink. Once. Twice. I…I don’t know. I wipe my eyes and sniffle.

And I don’t expect you to right now. If you don’t want to keep it, I’ll take you to Planned Parenthood tomorrow. We need to know how far along you are and then can go over our options. Have you told anyone yet?

I shake my head, brown hair falling into my face. Several strands stick to my tear-dampened skin.

Okay. And if you decide you do want to keep it, then I’ll still take you to the clinic to get checked out. You’ll have to tell Mom and Dad.

And what about Josh? My voice is small and I’m starting to feel nauseous again.

It’s all Louisa can do but scoff. She never liked Josh and now has even more reason not to. He’s eighteen, she gasps. You’re underage.

Don’t, I snap. He didn’t force anything. I wanted it too.

Her eyes meet mine, holding my gaze for a few seconds. Okay. And then you tell him and I’ll make sure he does his part. This is his fault, after all.

Half his fault, I say, wanting to defend him. He’s my boyfriend. He loves me and I love him. For a fleeting moment, I think things will be okay. Josh is eighteen, after all. He’s set to graduate at the end of the year and can get an apartment for our family to live in.

Girls? Mom calls from the bottom of the stairs.

I’ll go, Louisa tells me. And I’ll say you’re not feeling well since you have explosive diarrhea.

I slightly narrow my eyes. Thanks, Lou. I…I…

It’s going to be okay. She tucks my hair behind my ears. I’m here for you. She hides the pregnancy test inside the top drawer of the nightstand and gets to her feet. Everything happens in slow motion as she leaves, and I fall against my bed. Tears roll down my face as I think about how much everything will change.

You haven’t told your parents yet? Josh laces his fingers through mine.

No, I reply with a shake of my head. My heart has been in a constant state of fluttering since I found out I was pregnant two days ago. I’m absolutely exhausted, though I know part of that is from growing a freaking tiny baby inside of me. I have to tell them tonight after…after the appointment.

Josh nods, brown eyes fixed with mine. We’re in the middle of the busy high school cafeteria, but he’s looking at me like I’m the only girl in the world. He promised we’d get through this together, and I believe him.

Are you coming with? I ask, taking my hand out of his so I can break a cracker in half. Louisa told me eating small amounts of food throughout the day could help me not feel sick. I thought I had a stomach bug a week and a half ago and blamed my overall feeling of malaise on the stress of school.

I gotta work, babe. Josh’s lips curve into a half-smile. Gotta make money to take care of my family.

Now I’m smiling and feeling like it really is going to be okay.

Call me after?

Of course. I eat half the cracker, hoping it will settle my stomach. My issue now is nerves more than anything else. Chewing slowly, I look around the cafeteria. I’m not popular, but I don’t consider myself a total loser either. I fit quietly in the middle somewhere, overlooked by most of my classmates. I prefer it that way, if I’m being honest.

How long can I keep the baby a secret before everyone notices?

According to Louisa’s calculations, I could be anywhere from eight to twelve weeks along already. Which means I’ll be halfway through my summer internship at the emergency vet clinic before I’ll be too pregnant to assist with surgeries or farm calls.

But it’s going to be okay. It has to be.

I wipe cracker crumbs off my fingers, starting to feel sick all over again. It’s too loud in here. The lights are too bright. The red plastic chair feels extra uncomfortable beneath me and it’s just too much.

Hey, Jo. Erica plops down in the seat across from me, sliding her tray full of pizza and French fries in the middle for us to share like usual. You okay?

Yeah, I say right back, blinking rapidly. Just tired.

Late night at the barn again? She tears the slice of pizza in half.

Yeah, I repeat, feeling bad instantly for lying to my best friend.

Are you going again today? I need photos of movement — whatever that means. She raises her eyebrows and takes a bite of pizza. You always look so pretty when you ride, so I’m totally going to use you and Phoenix. Which isn’t fair, by the way. The second I step into the barn, I’m a hot mess of sneezes and runny eyes.

Okay, I say, going on autopilot.

I have my mom’s car today. I can take us right there after school.

Uh, Louisa is picking me up today. We, uh, we’re hanging out.

Erica cocks an eyebrow, looking from me to Josh and back again. I don’t normally hang out with my sister and she knows it. One of Josh’s friends calls him over, and he gets up, leaving me after a quick kiss on the top of my head.

What’s going on? Erica asks.

My eyes fall shut for a few seconds. I’ll tell you after school. And, uh, if you can come with us, I’d, uh, appreciate it.

You’re kind of freaking me out.

I’m fine, I lie again. Or I will be. Just…just meet me at my locker after school?

Of course.

I dread the rest of the day and I can’t wait to get out of the building. Erica and I walk out, finding Louisa in the back of the parking lot. My sister doesn’t say anything as we get in the car, and it’s not until we’re close to the clinic that I finally bring myself to blurt out the truth: I’m pregnant. Everything from there on out happens in a whirlwind. We go inside. Louisa helps me fill out the forms.

We wait.

And wait.

A girl younger than me comes out crying, followed by an angry-looking woman who has to be her mother.

We keep waiting.

And waiting.

A couple comes out next, both smiling and happy. I hear them talking about baby names now that they know they’re having a boy.

We wait.

And then it’s my turn.

I go in alone at first and answer more questions. The nurse is kind, not judgmental at all. She takes my blood and tells me the doctor will be in soon. My sister and Erica can come in, holding my hand while I get the first ultrasound—which isn’t just a wand moved across my belly.

Tears bite the corners of my eyes as the doctor slowly inserts the wand between my legs. It’s uncomfortable and the gravity of the situation is weighing on me. Erica smooths my hair and I grip Louisa’s hand so tightly she says I’m going to break her fingers.

But then we see it. The tiny little flicker of a heartbeat. The doctor turns a dial, and now we can hear it. I’m almost ten weeks and the baby looks like a gummy bear that someone chewed and spit out.

But it has a heartbeat. And tiny limbs.

And I know right then and there that I have to protect this tiny little life…no matter what.

Chapter Two

JOSIE

PRESENT DAY…

S hit. I jerk my hand back from the pan on the oven, shaking it in the air, which does nothing to stop the burning sensation on my fingers. I hadn’t realized the flames were up too high and heated up the pan handle.

Why are you allowed to swear and I’m not? Everly slides my coffee cup across the counter and takes a big drink.

Because you’re fourteen and I’m your mother. I turn the stovetop burner off, giving up on the gluten-free pancake, and grab a sugary granola bar from the pantry instead. So much for eating healthy, right? Eat this and hurry up so you don’t miss the bus.

I don’t want to go to school, Everly laments, tossing her thick dark hair back. Don’t make me go.

Please don’t do this. I get another coffee cup down from the cabinet, knowing I’m not going to get mine back. Everly drinks almost as much coffee as I do. Not today.

Fine. I’ll reschedule my rebellion for tomorrow.

As long as I have advance notice. I fill my mug and add just a dash of vanilla-flavored almond milk.

Deal. I’ll walk out during fourth period.

Make it fifth. I’ll have most of my work done by then.

Everly rolls her eyes and takes another gulp of coffee.

Eat something, I press and reach up to touch my hair. I curled it early this morning and sprayed the spirals with nearly half a can of hairspray. My hair is stick straight, not anywhere as thick as my daughter’s and doesn’t hold a curl to save its life. Grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl on the small island counter, I hand it to Everly and hurry into the bathroom to carefully separate my curls and get dressed.

How do I look? I ask when I come back into the kitchen and find Everly on her phone—and the banana not even peeled. Plucking the phone from her hands, I give a twirl and shake my head, making my curls swing around my face.

She raises her eyebrows and looks me up and down. You look like you might come home and tell me I’m going to be an older sister.

I huff and roll my eyes. I guess I’ll change.

You could wear a potato sack and Professor Grabby-hands will still want to make you his newest baby-mama.

You take things too far. I stick my coffee in the microwave, shaking my head.

I get it from you.

That is true. Spinning around, I peel back the top of the banana and give it to Everly. Eat. And I would have gone with the black dress, which is a little more conservative, but it’s kinda tight because—

It shrunk in the dryer, not because you’ve gained weight, Everly says at the same time as I do. We both laugh and Everly finally takes a bite of the banana. It’s a bit of a mad dash to finish getting ready and, right as Everly is about to walk out to wait for the bus, she remembers she didn’t pack a lunch for herself today so it’s an even madder dash back into the house to throw together something for her to eat. We’re both vegetarians and Everly went full vegan over a year ago. She’s my tree-hugging, animal-loving, rights-for-everyone daughter and I couldn’t be prouder of that kid.

Thankfully, the bus is running late today, no doubt having gotten stuck by a train, which gives us a minute to stand outside the house together. It took me a long time to get here and moving to Indianapolis wasn’t my first choice. But the animal pharmaceutical company I work for gave a generous moving bonus as well as covering all the costs of hiring movers to take our stuff from my hometown of Naperville, Illinois.

My plan was always to move to a smaller town, somewhere with a lower cost of living and maybe someday I’d even be able to afford a house with land and a barn so I could get a horse of my own again. It was by the grace of God that my parents didn’t make me sell my horse after I told them I was pregnant. The fact that I was able to find someone to lease Phoenix certainly didn’t hurt either. He lived for six more years before getting sick and having to be suddenly put down. I still miss him just as much today as I did when I first lost him.

Everly certainly inherited my love of horses and, for the last several years, all she’s wanted for Christmas or her birthday is money to put towards riding lessons.

There’s the bus, I tell Everly, eyeing the group of kids standing on the corner, also waiting for the bus.

I don’t want to go to school, Everly says softly. She’s also looking at the group of kids, and it hurts my heart so damn much knowing the reason she doesn’t want to go to school is because she doesn’t have many friends. We’ve been here for nearly a year now, and high school is hard enough when you’re not the new kid. Add in being an outspoken, wise-beyond-your-years kid raised by a single mother, and you’re even more of the odd man out.

She became good friends with one kid in particular right away, but Alma’s family moved to help take care of her elderly grandparents not long ago. Everly insists she has other friends, just not ones she likes enough to hang out with, which makes me wonder if she has other friends at all but doesn’t want me to know.

The year is almost over, I tell her, smoothing her dark hair back. And I was kinda thinking about seeing if Aunt Kim will let us come for a visit this summer.

Really? Everly’s eyes light up. You can take time off work?

Really. I won’t be selling drugs to college students in the summer so that’s not an issue.

Mom. You know how it sounds when you talk like that, she hisses, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders.

Ah, right. I always forget. I wink, trying not to laugh, and kiss the top of her head as the bus pulls up. I love you.

Love you too. She turns, eyes meeting mine for a lingering second before inhaling, straightening her posture, and getting on the bus. Only one other mom comes down to the bus stop like this, and it’s because her son has a tendency to skip school. I give her a wave and head back inside to gather my stuff, make sure our cat, Mr. Meowster, has water, and then head out.

It’s a bit of a drive to get to the university even when traffic isn’t bad. I make it with plenty of time to spare, and slowly make my way to Professor Grabby-hands’ office.

Ah, Josephine, he says with a broad smile as soon as I knock on the doorframe. Come in.

Good morning, Professor Gabain. How are you? I walk in and set my bag on an empty chair in front of his desk. Profession Gabain hasn’t actually grabbed me, but he earned his nickname due to his inability to take no for answer. He’s insisted to get drinks together every time I’ve come to the campus. He’s older but is a decent-looking guy and is actually pretty funny.

The problem is that he’s married.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, he says with a laugh. It’s finals week and I’m not presenting anything to students today, but just passing along some information about a new equine antibiotic the pharm company I work for wants to push. I always feel weird presenting something like this to a room full of professors of veterinary medicine. I’m not qualified. I have no formal education.

And anytime I’m in a room with students, I can’t help but look out at them and feel a painful sense of longing. As hard as I try, that voice in the back of my head reminds me that could have been you.

But I don’t regret the choices I made, not for one moment.

I started as a simple data collector for the company, plugging in numbers provided to me, and worked up from there. I oversee and manage other entry-level data analyzers, and my boss has been pushing me to go full time in sales for a while now, which is why I’ve been presenting new medications to the university. I’m young, have a pretty face, and am overall good with people. I would make a good sales rep, but I haven’t been able to fully commit myself yet. I’m happy where I am; though, this is by no means where I want to end up. But for now, it works and I’m able to be home when Everly gets off the bus.

Professor Gabain makes small talk, telling me three times how some of the other professors are getting together tonight for drinks. And three times, I clearly say I’m going home to my daughter. Then I’m finally able to talk to him and a few other professors, as well as several members of the university board. I go through my usual speech, briefly explaining what this drug does, why it’s better than our competitors, and how our company would love to partner with the university and offer sponsorships. We have a good rapport with this university, and I end my last presentation of the school year on a positive note.

I call my boss on the hour and a half drive home, making it back to my house with just enough time to spare to check in on the data entries for the day before Everly gets home. I’m about to close my laptop when an email notification pops up on the screen.

It’s from the guidance counselor at Everly’s school, asking if there’s any way I can come in for a meeting with her tomorrow to discuss the ongoing bullying issue Everly has been involved in. My stomach drops to the floor. Bullying issue? Ongoing? There’s no way my daughter —who’d rather thrift her clothes than buy something new because fast fashion is harmful to women in third world countries—would bully anyone.

Which only means one thing: she’s the one being bullied.

Chapter Three

JACOB

Islide the stall door shut and step back, wiping sweat from my brow. It’s an unusually warm day in early May and I still have two more farms to stop by before I can swing by my parents for a family dinner. I’m already going to be late, and there’s a good chance I’ll show up smelling like the animals I’ve been treating today. There’s an even better chance that I’ll have to rush out, but I’m promising myself now it’ll only be for dire emergencies.

It’s a rare occurrence that all of my brothers and our sister are in Silver Ridge together. Mom will have my head if I skip out on a family dinner, and I miss my siblings, even if they do drive me crazy half of the time. And tonight isn’t just any old family reunion. We’re celebrating my older brother’s engagement.

Do we have time for a coffee run? Crystal, one of my vet techs, asks.

As long as it’s iced, yes, I reply, checking the time. We’re running late—as usual—and I’m going to need to ask Dr. Spencer to cover my next appointment at the clinic, which is just a routine wellness and vaccine checkup for Mrs. Mahoney’s dog, Axel.

Crystal and I pack up, leaving the sheep farm, and load up the truck. We have to pass by Silver Cafe on our way to Kim Walker’s place. I’d love to narrow down my focus to mostly horses and donkeys, but I don’t mind going to Kim’s and taking care of her vast array of different animals. She’s been a client for years and was with the practice before I bought it and made it my own.

I put in for two iced lattes for us and two chocolate muffins because why not, right? Should I get something for Ms. Walker? Crystal asks, looking up from her phone as she puts in our online order. She just always seems so lonely, doesn’t she? I mean, she has all those horses but she’s all alone in that house.

I don’t know, I reply honestly. Some people are happier that way.

I can feel Crystal’s eyes on me, and I don’t need the power to read minds to know she’s thinking like you, though it’s not true in my case. While I do prefer my solitude, I don’t want to be alone.

And yeah, she’d like a latte. Though, she has told me before coffee is meant to be hot, not iced.

Crystal laughs. That sounds like something she’d say. I’ll order her one as well and then I’ll update the invoices and check in at the clinic. I’m going to be the one to tell Dr. Spencer she has to cover your next appointment, aren’t I?

You are, so good luck with that, I say with a chuckle, thankful Crystal is as organized as she is. She’s my head tech and assists me on most of the farm calls, having the most experience with livestock. Our clinic has grown a lot over the years, and there’s been talk that Dr. Jerry, one of the few other vets in the area who treats large animals, is going to retire at the end of the year. I’d no doubt take on most of his clients, and the thought of doubling my workload makes my stomach churn.

Not because I don’t want the work—I do—but because I know I can’t respond to everyone at the same time, and more times than not, emergencies happen at the same time in different parts of town. I hate the idea of someone having to watch their horse colic and die because we couldn’t get there in time.

I need to hire another vet, and I’ve been struggling to find both someone I like enough to work with and who’s qualified enough to pass my high standards. That, and someone willing to take on a massive workload. It’s hard enough in this field as it is. Being stretched this thin only makes it that much harder.

Half an hour later, we arrive at Kim’s farm on the other side of Silver Ridge. The town isn’t actually that big, but with a large lake in the middle of it, driving from one end to the other can take a while since you have to go around the lake. Kim’s property butts up to the back of my own, and if I could drive straight through the woods I’d be here in only minutes.

Three dogs come running, barking and wagging their tails as the truck bumps along the gravel driveway. Kim is sitting on the porch swing out front, and waves to us.

Oh my god. Crystal’s hand goes to her mouth when she looks at the gray horse in the front dry lot. She’s skin and bones and you can tell from back here her hooves haven’t been done in months. You weren’t kidding to say this was one of the worst cases you’ve seen.

Yeah. I’m honestly surprised the horse survived being trailered here. I shake my head, trying to keep calm and not get pissed off again. People fucking suck, and having no legal repercussions makes it even worse. This horse was dumped off at an auction and would have been bought by a kill buyer and sent to slaughter if Kim hadn’t gone and bought what she could afford…which was more than she could afford.

Kim has been a long-time client and one I enjoy working with. She’s respectful and always thanks us, and her heart is in the right place. I’ve been discounting her bills as much as I possibly can to help her out, taking a personal loss.

That’s the better of the two, I tell Crystal. Be prepared to have to put the other horse down today. I park the truck and mentally prepare myself as well. I was here just last night administering IV fluids and medicine and would have liked to take the gelding back to the clinic with me, but he was too weak for another trailer ride along bumpy roads. I left hoping for a miracle and that one night of rest and good hay would be enough to keep him on his feet so he could come with me today.

His evaluation in just a few minutes will let me know which way to call it. If he found some strength, he’ll come with me. If not…the kindest thing to do will be to let him go peacefully.

I hate people, Crystal mumbles as we get out of the truck not waiting for me to respond. She knows I am silently agreeing. It’s true what they say: the more people I meet, the more I love animals. I’ve been let down by people enough in the past to keep myself guarded. It’s the ones you care about the most who can cut you the deepest.

Which is why I prefer to be around animals instead of people now; though, to be fair, I always knew there was something special about them.

The way they don’t judge.

Their eagerness to forgive.

Their ability to heal…not just themselves but our souls.

All of my siblings like to heckle me about how I surround myself with pets, not people. But if they’d learn to just shut up and listen to what the animals were trying to tell us, they’d understand it too.

Good afternoon, Dr. Harris, Kim says with a wave, slowly getting off the porch swing. She’s moving slower than normal today, with dark bags under her eyes that seem to get worse every time I see her, making me wonder if she’s not in remission as she told me a few months ago. Busy day?

Isn’t it always? I reply and walk halfway up the sidewalk, waiting for Kim to join us so I can hand her the latte. How’s he doing today? I ask, knowing Kim knows exactly which horse I’m referring to.

Her gray eyes get misty and she slowly inhales. Let’s go find out.

Finally, Mason huffs dramatically when I step into the house. He’s sitting at the kitchen counter next to Sam and our brother-in-law, Dean.

Hello to you too, I retort dryly. Mason always gave our sister shit for being dramatic, but he’s the worst of us all.

Mom wouldn’t let us eat until you got here.

Eyeballing the bowl of chips and salsa on the counter, I feel little pity for my brothers. I kick off my shoes, leave them by the back door, and cross the room. I’m late, no surprise there, but I did make it home in time to change. Really, I had no choice since the last farm call resulted in both Crystal and I getting splattered with blood.

Looks like you survived. Going around the counter, I eye Sam and smile. I can finally say congrats in person. And heckle you for taking fucking forever to propose.

Sam chuckles and gets up, pulling me in for a one-armed hug. Yeah. Only a few decades, right?

And in those decades, Rory has planned a dozen weddings for you, Dean laughs. She’s planning a Dungeons and Dragons themed one right now.

That sounds like something Chloe would like, I say and pull out a barstool so I can join my brothers.

Sam looks out the window behind us, gazing at his fiancée with a smile on his face. Chloe is outside with our parents, chatting with Rory as Adam, Rory and Dean’s one-year-old son, plays in the yard.

It does, he says and flicks his eyes to Dean. Brace yourself for her disappointment. We’re leaning toward something small without announcing the date to anyone but family.

Give Rory a fake date then, Mason quips, sliding a beer over to me. One months ahead of when you actually want to get married.

Sam lets out a snort of laughter. That’s not a bad idea. This whole being famous by association is fucking weird, he admits. Chloe is a bestselling author with a very successful TV show based off of her series and has a huge fanbase. Anyway, how’s work?

Busy as ever, I reply and pop the top off my beer. Being