Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I guess that leaves me.” I raise my hand. “Alyssa, best friend to Sterling, which I’ve already mentioned. No husband, and no babies, although being around these ladies definitely gives you baby fever.”
“Right?” Ramsey says. “One more week, and I can toss those damn pills in the trash.”
“I’m so excited for our kids to grow up together.”
“Agreed,” Jade says. “I don’t know that I want nine like Carol and Raymond, but to know our kids will have tons of cousins to wreak havoc with makes my heart happy.”
Kennedy places her hand over her baby bump. “We want more. If we are able.” She turns to look at Jordyn. “I had a medical issue when I was younger. I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to get pregnant.”
“I hope it works for you a third time,” Jordyn replies.
Ramsey quickly changes the subject. “So, tell us about you.”
“Not much to tell, really. I graduate from college in a couple of weeks.”
“Congratulations,” we all say at once.
“Thank you.”
“What’s your major?”
“I have a double major. Fashion design/merchandising, and business administration. I’d like to open my own boutique one day.”
“Are you from Willow River?” Ramsey asks her.
“No. My family lives in Atlanta, which is where I went to school.”
“How did you meet Ryder?” Jade asks.
“We met at Sage. It’s a nightclub in Harris.”
“Ladies.” I laugh. “Let’s ease up a little.”
“No. It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Do you plan on staying in Atlanta?” Kennedy asks her.
She doesn’t have to say it. We can all read between the lines. If she and Ryder get serious, well, more serious than they are since he has to think a lot of her for her to be here. If her heart is set on Atlanta, then that means we might lose Ryder. Sure, Atlanta is only an hour away, but I know it would break the guys’ hearts if Ryder moved. It’s likely inevitable that one of them will eventually not be close by, but I know we all hope that we stay close to Willow River.
Kennedy moved here for Declan, but her grandma already lived here. She had ties. It doesn’t sound like Jordyn does.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m waiting to hear back about an internship before I make my next move. They’re supposed to decide by the end of June.”
“That sounds exciting. Where will you be interning?” I ask.
“Paris.”
We all freeze. “Paris?” Ramsey asks.
“Yes. It’s a hard program to get into. They only take five applicants every year out of thousands. The chances of me getting in are slim.”
“How long is the program?” Jade asks.
“Eighteen months.”
“And if you do get in, have you and Ryder talked about long-distance at all?” Palmer asks.
None of us tell her she’s being intrusive because we all want to know the same thing.
“A little. Not much.”
“You need to.” This is from Kennedy. “I don’t know what your relationship status is, but you need to be open and honest and talk about it.”
“He says he’ll wait.” Jordyn looks down at her hands that are clasped in her lap. “We’re so new. I just don’t know if we’d be able to survive that.”
Curiosity has me asking, “Do you want to?”
“He’s almost too good to be true. I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“It’s not going to.” Kennedy shifts in her seat but keeps her gaze locked on Jordyn. “Trust me. I’m not from Willow River. I was new in town, and I remember feeling the same way. I thought many times that Declan couldn’t be real, but he was. They all are. They’re good men, who were raised by incredible parents, and they are all what you see is what you get. Trust in that. Trust in him.”
“Damn,” Ramsey mutters, wiping at her eyes. “Well said, Kens.”
“I’m sorry,” Jade speaks up. “Please don’t feel like we are attacking you. We’re all really close, and we don’t want to see Ryder get hurt. Please don’t take our protection and worry for him as us not accepting or liking you.”
“No. Not at all,” Jordyn is quick to reply.
“Talk to him,” Kennedy says again. “I promise you it will all be okay.”
“Eighteen months is a long time.”
“It is,” I agree. “I’m not a wife or a girlfriend, but Sterling and I have been best friends since we were kids. One thing I know for certain is that the Kincaid brothers, all nine of them, are determined and stubborn. If they set their mind to something, watch out.” I give her a kind smile.
“Speaking of Sterling….” Palmer turns her attention toward me. “I still think there’s something there.”
“Nope,” I say, popping the p. I don’t even try to stop them. It helps that I already have alcohol in my system. I know they mean well, but it’s just never going to happen.
“I think we should make a wager.” Jade grins.