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He smashed us closer with his hands low on my hips.

I got lost in his kiss, forgetting for a second that we were surrounded by literally the whole town.

Then someone cleared their throat and said, “Black, your kid’s on her way over.”

I pulled myself away from him, then wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

I had my lip gloss everywhere.

I moaned, so did Black.

“You’re…”

He winked and wiped his mouth on his shirt, lifting the bottom of the t-shirt up to do it, and in turn showing off his impressive six-pack.

Black wasn’t young.

He was mid-forties, but looked like he could be in his early thirties body-wise.

If it wasn’t for those laugh lines at the corners of his eyes and the salt and pepper in his hair, that was.

So, of course, that was what I was staring at when Shelby made her way up to us.

“What’s going on?” she asked, smiling happily at me with a small wave. “Hey, did Dad tell you we were going to lunch?”

“He did.” I paused. “If you could call him saying ‘you’re going to lunch with us’ asking.”

Zee squeezed my hand and said, “I’ll get in touch with you tomorrow.”

I squeezed her hand back, and she disappeared into the crowd of people, giving a small wave at Courtland as she left.

Courtland watched her go with a frown, and I stiffened slightly, not sure I liked that frown aimed at my friend.

“Court and Zee have history.” Black saw what I had. “Court was married to Zee’s sister. Long story short, they lost touch while he was in prison. Reconnected. And now they’re not sure how to act around each other.”

“Ahh,” I said. “Okay. They don’t have feelings…”

“No.” Black laughed. “Court is very much in love with Charleigh. Obsessive, compulsive kind of love.”

I leaned into him slightly and looked at Shelby over my shoulder.

She was talking with Denver, who was showing her pictures on his phone.

“Called Denver last night to share the good news,” he shared. “Denver’s kid and mine were pretty close growing up.”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “How did last night go?”

He led me out of the group of people and to the coffee shop that I’d never entered before until today.

He jerked his chin up at the woman behind the counter and said, “Can you get me one of those sugar concoctions you made me last time?”

The woman smiled. “I can.”

She got to work making a drink—which I assumed was for me—and Black pulled me closer once again.

“I don’t know how to thank you.” He caught my face in his hands. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for so long that it almost felt like it would never happen.”

I pressed my cheek harder into his hand. “I’m so glad, Black. I’m glad that she’s with you again.”