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When I pull back, my eyes flick to Laney, who is smiling at Cherry.

A sharp, unexpected thought slams into me.

I want to see her like that someday.

With my kid.

My ring on her finger.

The image is so vivid, so visceral, it damn near knocks me sideways.

What the hell am I thinking?

We’re not even together. Not really.

Yet.

I swallow the thought down as Cherry grabs her bag. “Alright, I should get going before Jake sends a search party.”

“Tell him I have tickets to the Moto GP in Italy if he fancies it.” Jake and I have developed a friendship, despite the fact he hated my guts when we met because he thought I had designs on the love of his life, but Cherry and I just are friends. It took a while but he sees that now. He even had me play their first dance song at their wedding. We also both have a love of sport bikes that we bonded over.

I see Cherry grin at Laney and shake her head, as she throws her hands up. “See what I mean? No ‘Hey Cher, do you want to go to the Italian thing’, but straight to Jake.”

I feel like I’m missing something as Laney laughs with Cherry, but feel the need to defend myself. “Cherry, you just called it an Italian thing. Jake loves bikes. Why would I ask you? Of course, you can come if you want.”

The smirk of my friend’s lips wobbles as she fights a laugh. “Nope, too late. You go, leave me home. I’m gonna steal your girl and we’re going for a spa weekend instead. You’ll come with, won’t you, Laney?”

I glance at Laney’s face and she looks radiant with life as she nods. “Sure, count me in for that.”

“Perfect, I’ll call you.” She turns to me then. “Walk me out.”

I walk her to the door, stepping out onto the porch with her. The evening air is crisp, the scent of pine and horses lingering.

As she heads for her car, I say, “I heard what you said to Laney.”

She stops, turning to face me. “And?”

“You had no right.”

Cherry tilts her head, crossing her arms. “I have every right.”

I scowl.

She lifts her chin. “Because I’ve been that woman, Eddie. The one who got her heart broken. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

Something tugs in my chest. Guilt. Frustration.

But then Cherry’s gaze softens. “That being said…” She exhales, shaking her head. “Judging by the way you looked at her just now, I don’t think she has anything to worry about.”

I narrow my eyes. “What the hell does that mean?”

She smirks. “It means, you dumbass, that you’re in love with her.”

I scoff, rolling my shoulders back. “I—”

“You can deny it all you want.” She shrugs. “But I know you, Eddie. And I saw it all over your face.”

I grit my teeth.