“No. It’s fine. You’re right, I said there wasn’t a limit. I’m just happy you’re happy. But I have to get on the bus now, babe. Game tonight, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right! Go win!” She made a kissing noise that I was more than happy to get away from as we got on the bus.
“Glad you decided that the game was as important as your photo shoot, Connell.” Coach lifted a brow at me.
“Yeah, sorry about that one,” I cringed.
“Get in your seats. All of you. Logan, get off the damned phone!”
I sat in the first empty seat I found, which was next to Sawyer. Then I pulled out my phone and texted Annabelle as we drove toward the rink.
Connell: Thank you for being you.
Annabelle: LOL. Who else would I be?
I thought about that call. About the way Blaire was blatantly using Logan’s celebrity. At least she made him happy, though. Right?
Connell: I just love you.
Annabelle: I love you, my Scotsman.
Annabelle: Play hard tonight. And remember that I’ll still do you if you lose.
I scoffed a laugh.
Connell: Good to know.
Annabelle: Now get home to me, would you?
Connell: Working on it, lass.
I put my phone away with a smile. “Is it harder now with away games, knowing that you have Echo?” I asked the kid to my left.
Like the four years between us made me old or something.
“Yeah,” he answered with a nod. “But it makes going home even better knowing she’s there.”
“That’s the truth.” I’d never looked forward to going home so much in my life.
“She’s crazy about you,” Sawyer told me with a solemn look. “Annabelle.”
“Thank God, because I’m crazy about her.”
“Good. Because if something happens and you end up hurting her…” he shook his head.
“I know, you’ll be honor bound to kick my ass. Don’t worry, I’ll let you get a few good punches in. But really, you don’t have to worry. I love her. There’s zero chance in this world I’d do anything to hurt Annabelle.”
“Thank God, because it wouldn't be me kicking your ass, it would be Echo.”
“That is a truly frightening thought.”
“She is a truly frightening woman,” he admitted with a smirk.
“Here’s to loving best friends.”
“May they never team up against us.”
I laughed. “Now that would be terrifying.”
“You two are giving me hives,” Cannon muttered from across the aisle.
“Just wait until it’s you,” Sawyer said with a tip of his head.
Cannon shot us a look and buried his face in whatever his book of the day was.
Truth was, I’d had the same reaction to that sentiment months ago...before Annabelle. And now I couldn't imagine my life without her. She was a lightning strike that set my world on fire and changed everything.
Personally, I couldn’t wait to watch that smug, sulking ass fall in love.
God help the girl.
16
Annabelle
“Love the reserve, Ms. Clarke!”
I paused my shopping cart in the cereal aisle, turning to smile at George Tankard, the general manager of Sweet Water grocery.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, George,” I said.
“My grandkids visited from Florida last weekend,” he said. “I took them and they loved it. Said I have to take them every time they visit!”
“That’s wonderful.” My heart soared, pride filling my chest. The reserve was a wide success, already bringing in tourists from Charleston and beyond. I’d texted Connell yesterday with our first set of numbers, and he’d sent me a silly selfie to celebrate. The goofy photo was now the lock screen on my phone. It made me stupid-grin every time I saw it.
“I’ve got to check the stock in the back,” George said. “But let me know if you need anything special ordered.”
“Not this week, George,” I said. “But thank you so much for the offer.”
He nodded, and hustled past me. Sweet Water’s lone grocery store was well stocked but there were times I’d had to drive to Charleston to get a special item. George hated the idea and had offered to special order items for me ever since. City Clerk had its perks, or more likely, the small-town kindness of Sweet Water was to blame. Mercy, I loved this community.
I bit back my smile as I hunted for my favorite honey-flakes cereal. I was full of love these days. I couldn’t remember a time I’d been happier, and I had been the youngest city clerk to ever be elected to Sweet Water. This feeling inside me now? It squashed that, a feat I once thought impossible.
I had thought many things were impossible before Connell crashed into my life.
Like sex being something I craved on a daily basis.
I laughed, recalling our conversation at the bar months ago. When I’d argued that I could always do it better myself, so why waste time with the emotional drama of a man? What little I’d known then.
Connell had known, of course.
Cocky Scotsman.
A warm chill soared over my skin at just how wrong I’d been. At just how much Connell had taught me over the last few months.