Page 87 of Briar

Silence. I peek up, and they’re both staring at me. Jenson recovers first. “You’re sure?”

Hedoesn’t sound sure. “Unless you don’t want to.”

“There is nothing I don’t want when it comes to you.” He feels warm against my side as I look up. Steel-gray eyes trace my lips before they lift. “We’ll discuss the details later.”

We’ve progressed to small touches. Slow. Steady. Giving him a warning, so he can prepare himself.

I never want Jenson to look at me with fear in his eyes.

But he hasn’t kissed me.

I poke my tongue into the side of my cheek. “Just so you know, I’m removing theone at a timerule. Actually… I’m removing all the rules.”

I dart back into the store before I can see their reaction, peeping over my shoulder when I’m safely inside. Their gazes heat my skin. Kai is grinning as he runs his hand over his face, but Jenson doesn’t move as I dart back to River’s side.

He presses something into my hands. “This is for you. And I can’t take it back, since everything is set up in your name.”

The tablet is a sleek, metallic gray. It feels light in my hands as I turn it over. “River, this is… it’s too much! The building, andthis?”

His hands close over mine. “Jenson and Kai are fixing your building. But I’ve been holding onto this since the day we met.”

Warmth floods my face. “You have?”

River nods, watching me. “I never wanted to be temporary, Briar. Not with you. If you need any proof, you have it in your hands.”

My mouth falls open as his fingers press against the screen. “This is your email account. So you can email the woman you met at the gala. You should be able to do everything you need to do on this.”

I don’t know what to say. River inhales sharply as I loop my arms around his neck before pressing my lips to his.

I’m smiling, and so is he, even as he takes over.

I’m dazed when we break apart. River winks, before he picks up my new tablet.

Blinking, I blurt out the words in my head. “I think I might love you, River Huxley.”

Wait—

He’s not looking at me, but he’s smiling, his dimple flashing as he presses another button. “I think I might love you too, Briar Rose, if that’s how we’re saying it.”

I’ll take it.

Briar

Irespond to a pleading message from my father with a single, tired sentence.

I’m not ready to talk to you yet.

I’m not sure when I will be, truthfully. But definitely not tonight.

My skin lights up with a buzz of anticipation as I walk into the kitchen, my copy of the agreement gathered in my hand. It feels so different this time around.

They’re all gathered around the kitchen table, and I pause. Something close to dread has my heart clenching. “What is it?”

River winks, and my heartbeat settles down.

We have some options for you.Kai stares at me with an intensity that makes my toes curl, a flash of heat flickering in my stomach.

Oh.“Have you been planning this?”