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A little pink appears on Samantha’s cheeks. “I think I can do that.”

“Good, I’ll see when he has time for a consult.” Courtney types furiously on her phone before tucking it back into her pocket.

It shouldn’t be that big of a deal to me. I know my two best friends are amazing. But they seem to be trying to naturally bring Sam into our little world. It was something that I know they didn’t like doing with Maisy, and they tried for my sake to be friendly with her, but they rarely asked her to hang out with just the two of them. Another sign I should have noticed so much sooner…neither of them could bear being around the person I was dating for any length of time without getting frustrated.

But here they are, inviting Sam to go to Courtney’s next tattoo consultation. They would never invite her if they didn’t want her there.

My eyes close and I just let myself feel everything this moment has to give. My brothers in one place, my two best friends right here, Caleb, who has basically become an honorary Landen, and the girl of my dreams.

All here.

All happy.

Two hours later, it’s time to get a few things done around the ranch. Caleb volunteers to help Matt make dinner for everyone, Chuck takes the four-wheeler out to check on a pregnant cow who has been showing signs of possible early labor.

“Do you want to come see the new horse Jackson’s working with?” Avery asks both Courtney and Sam. “He has to head back for an afternoon training session.”

“Sure,” Courtney says, looping her arm through Sam’s. “Let’s go.”

Sam looks back at me, likely wondering if I had anything planned. “I have a few orders to finalize, so I won’t be exciting company.”

“Let’s go,” she echoes, her eyes bright with her infectious smile as they pull on their boots and pile into Jax’s SUV.

After a few hours of hearing Bryant intermittently chopping wood, everyone is back together around our family dinner table with one of the extenders in place. We laugh and talk, the food getting passed around and everyone just being themselves. Sam’s leg pressed against mine during the whole meal.

This right here is the dream.

And I’m ready to make it happen.

Chapter 53: Sam

Two weeks later

Final decision time, Sam. What will it be: the brown skirt with the salmon top, or the navy sailor pants with the beige top? I resist the urge to chew my thumbnail, something I never thought I’d stop doing.

I hold each up in front of me as I look in the mirror, smiling when I see Tommy’s flannel shirt in my chair from the other night. It’s Maybel’s, so it’s not a dressy place.

But it’s our first time eating out.

Our first public date.

Tommy doesn’t seem to have favorites for what I wear…everything I put on seems to make him do that slow smile of approval. I settle on the pants deciding they’re cute with a casual feel that will work at Maybel’s without standing out too much.

Once I’m dressed, I take out each of my curlers, thinking of how Tommy so gently did the same thing not too long ago. I’m still baffled how I landed someone as amazing as him. He’s sweet, thoughtful, funny, and so sexy. He brings out a confidence in me that I didn’t know existed.

It’s no wonder I’m head over heels in love with him.

Not that I’ve told him. I don’t want to pressure him into saying anything he’s not ready for. But Courtney and Avery have hinted he loves me, too. So maybe it wouldn’t be so scary to tell him…

My stomach gives a flip at the nerves that even make my fingers tremble a little at the thought of giving voice to what simply happened. It’s like loving him was inevitable.

Ding. I look down at my phone to find a message from him.

Tommy: I’m earlier than usual, Chuck was belting out nineties love ballads…

I can picture it. Chuck is probably stealing spoons from Matt to use as a microphone while Matt tries to cook.

Sam: Oh poor you! Was anyone else home? I’ll be down in one minute.