Page 39 of Falling for the Bombshell (Falling for #1)

Broncos, Batchelor &

Bachelorettes & a Garden in Bloom

Linnie and Blaine were finding their rhythm again, even with their lives spinning in different directions.

The new Billings Wolves team had brought a whole new kind of energy to the city, and Linnie was right in the middle of it.

Her mom had called her up to help create and lead a new dance team the Billings She Wolves, and it felt electric to be building something from scratch again—new dancers, new routines, new fire.

At the same time, Blaine was crushing it with the Locos.

His confidence was growing, and fans were starting to remember his name.

No matter how hectic things got, they made it a point to show up for each other—her cheering in the bleachers during outdoor games in the Montana sun, and him sitting front row at indoor arenas for halftime performances that lit up the crowd .

Wedding talk was constant, but soft. Neither wanted to rush it with so much happening around them.

Still, Linnie would pull up Pinterest boards late at night, and Blaine had more than once caught himself scribbling "Mr. & Mrs." in the margins of his work notepad.

The two places they kept bouncing between?

Bora Bora… or the Denver Broncos stadium.

Dreamy versus die-hard fan moment. Neither could quite let go of the other's pick.

But finally, something clicked. A spot right in Billings.

DanWalt Gardens. Lush, floral, magical. It was everything they both didn ’ t know they needed.

Blaine could see her walking down that garden aisle in the glow of a summer sunset, and Linnie could already imagine their reception filled with lights, laughter, and all the people they loved.

Blaine asked Logan to be his best man, and the text thread exploded with excitement.

Chase and his cousin Eric were next in line, and of course, the little twins were tapped for ring bearers—with a promise of candy bribes, their little sister would be the flower girl.

Bria cried happy tears when Linnie asked her to be in her wedding party.

Linnie ’ s side was just as full of heart.

Cleo, her ride-or-die from the beginning, had recently made the big move to Phoenix to chase her own dreams. While she wouldn ’ t be able to physically stand beside Linnie on the wedding day, she was still very much a best friend—sending voice memos, FaceTiming during dance rehearsals, and planning her trip back to Montana for the big weekend.

Linnie had cried when Cleo promised she'd be there no matter what, even if she couldn ’ t be a bridesmaid.

Sadie and Brittany from the She Wolves rounded out her crew, and between them, they were already texting dress inspo, Pinterest boards, and planning a bachelorette weekend that could easily end in tattoos, karaoke, or both.

Cleo was in the group chat too, chiming in from the Arizona heat with just as much fire and love as ever .

But one moment stood apart from the whirlwind of planning: the day Linnie found her dress.

It was just her and Summer. No crowd, no fuss.

They set aside a quiet afternoon and made an appointment at a cozy bridal boutique downtown.

The kind with soft lighting, vintage mirrors, and classical music playing just low enough to feel like magic.

Linnie tried on five dresses before stepping into the one—chiffon-trimmed, flowy, with a low back and delicate buttons trailing down the spine.

As soon as she turned to the mirror, something inside her stilled.

Summer put a hand over her heart. “ Oh, baby…”

Linnie blinked fast. “ It ’ s the one, isn ’ t it?”

“ It is,” Summer whispered. “ You look exactly how I always imagined you would. Even better.”

They cried. Of course they cried. And when Linnie stepped into the little pedestal under the soft lighting, Summer took a photo and sent it to Cleo, who instantly responded with all caps and a dozen heart emojis.

Invites were next. Dress shopping. Cake tasting. Seating charts.

It was all happening.

Linnie ’ s bachelorette weekend wasn ’ t wild—it was wonderful.

The girls made it all about her: personal, heartfelt, and totally her vibe.

Brittany, who had become such a close friend through the She Wolves, coordinated the day with Sadie, and even Cleo (now in Phoenix) was involved from afar, texting constantly and FaceTiming in with bubbly energy.

But the sweetest surprise? Blaine ’ s little sister Bria came too.

She had grown so close to Linnie over the last year that it just made sense.

Linnie adored her like a little sister, and Bria had practically begged to be part of the day.

Brittany looped her in early, and Bria lit up the entire group with her excitement and fun energy.

Each bridesmaid, plus Bria and Cleo, picked a store or little experience to “ gift” Linnie something special.

Sadie took her to a cozy boutique and got her a silky, blush-toned robe that said Bride Vibes on the back.

Brittany brought Linnie to her favorite accessory shop where she picked out a sparkling clutch and matching earrings.

Cleo had pre-arranged with a local lingerie boutique to surprise Linnie with a private fitting (and lots of laughter).

Bria, with a little help from Blaine ’ s mom, took Linnie to a cute little stationery shop where they picked out a custom wedding planning journal—gilded edges, thick paper, and a quote on the front that read: “ A love like this builds a lifetime.” Bria wrote a little note on the inside cover that made Linnie cry.

After shopping, they had dinner at Linnie ’ s favorite spot—twinkle lights, mocktails, and the best flatbread pizza. They toasted with laughter and Brittany gave a beautiful speech about love, and Sadie cried (again).

The night ended in a hotel suite they had all booked ahead of time. Face masks, romcoms, cupcakes, a Polaroid camera flashing through the night, and Bria doing the funniest dance impressions of Blaine that had them all gasping for breath.

The pool downstairs was warm and empty, and they all took a late-night swim, floating on inflatable rings and looking up at the stars. When they came back up, Brittany and Sadie had set up a game of “ How Well Do You Know the Bride,” and Bria nailed almost every question.

It was perfect. Sweet, hilarious, cozy—and exactly what Linnie needed .

Blaine wasn ’ t into wild nights either, and Logan—though away at school—had helped Chase and cousin Eric plan something Blaine would actually love.

It started with a paintball match in Laurel.

Blaine was way too into it and got nailed right on the side by Chase, who swore it was an accident (it wasn ’ t).

The guys ran around for hours, full of adrenaline and trash talk.

Then they hit a private field where they threw the football around until the sun started to dip and they were all sweaty and bruised but laughing nonstop.

Dinner was at his favorite local grill—burgers, wings, and way too many fries.

They toasted with root beers and teased Blaine for being the first of the crew to settle down.

And then... he went home. Alone. With the dogs.

He let Daisy and Ember cuddle in bed with him and put on one of those sappy movies Linnie always liked.

He looked at the empty side of the bed and realized how much he hated when she wasn ’ t there.

But he also smiled, because he knew just how lucky he was.