Page 64 of Heart Breaker

A quiet huff draws my attention to Scout, who is sitting at my feet staring up at me.

“Oh, don’t start,” I mutter, lowering the shirt. “You literally wait by the front door for him every day.”

His tail thumps once.

“Exactly,” I sigh, reaching down and rubbing the soft fur at the back of his head. “Maybe we’re both a little obsessed.” Scout sinks to the floor and rests his head on his paws.

My phone rings from the kitchen and I run to pick it up, Scout on my heels. I smile when I pick it up and see Madeline’s face on the screen.

“Are you ready for tonight?” she asks. “I bet your mom has invited half of Deep Cove.”

I shake my head, knowing she’s probably right. “Half? You know my mom, right?”

Madeline snorts. “Yeah, half was a conservative estimate. So, is Wes prepared for your family?”

“I think so?”

“Lottie, I love the guy, but Wes barely speaks in complete sentences. Your mother is going to have him trapped in the kitchen for three hours asking him questions.”

I laugh. “You’re not wrong, but I think he’ll survive.”

“Okay, so what’s going on with you two?” she asks.

“What do you mean?”

“I was fully expecting you to be plotting his murder by now, but you’ve barely even complained about him.”

I laugh. “He’s not that bad. He’s actually kinda sweet.”

That’s met with silence, until Madeline gasps. “Oh my God, you slept with him, didn’t you?”

I lean my elbows on the counter and drop my forehead into my hand. I could lie to her, but she knows me better than anyone. I could also use someone to talk to about this. “Possibly.”

“I knew it! As soon as I saw the photo of you two kissing in the newspaper I knew you were both in trouble.” Madeline says. “So, how was it?”

My cheeks heat. “It was incredible.”

“I’m not surprised. Wes seems like he has a secret wild side. Should I be concerned for your chiropractor?”

I laugh. “I don’t need a chiropractor.”

“Should I send an icepack?”

“Madeline!”

She laughs. “I’m kidding. Honestly, Lottie, I love this for you. So, what happens next?”

“Nothing,” I sigh. “We agreed it would only happen once. It was amazing, but it also complicates everything.”

As if summoned, I glance up as Wes walks through the front doors fresh from his flight. His dark navy jacket is stretched across his broad shoulders, his tie is gone, dark hair tousled from a day of travel.

My stomach does that swooping thing again.

“I get it. But was it worth it?” Madeline asks.

I barely hear her as I watch Wes drop his bag by the door. He looks up and his eyes meet mine.

“Yes, absolutely,” I say, my pulse picking up. “But I have to go. Wes just got home.”