Page 32 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

MATCHY-MATCHY

GOLDIE

Dad

Your grandmothers are driving me crazy. Noah and Grayson left earlier and with Goldie out of town, they are next-level hovering!

I need pics to pretend like I’m busy! They won’t believe that I’m warm enough—it’s SUMMER.

Tully

Grandma Donna sent me that same hat and afghan. Let me go find it.

Noah

Oh, same here!

Tully

Camden

Dylan

Does it count if you’re not wearing the hat and the afghan? I think not.

I’m cracking up while reading and showing Milo the pictures.

“Where’s yours?” he asks, laughing.

“I haven’t unpacked them yet.”

“Mm-hmm. It’s a nice hat.”

“Would you like to wear it?”

“For you. Nice hat for you,” he adds.

I text everyone back.

Mine are at home and I’m not, but the pics made my day.

Tully

Oh yeah. When were you gonna tell me you were in Minneapolis this weekend and didn’t come see me?!

“Eek. Tully wants to know why I didn’t see him this weekend.”

Milo makes a face. “Shit, I was so preoccupied, I didn’t think of it. I’d love to hang out with him…go to one of his games when the season starts. Sorry, we were kind of all about my family and friends this weekend, weren’t we?”

“I loved getting to know them. You’ve been around my family a ton. I did wonder about seeing him at one point, but you distracted me…and it was worth it.”

He grins. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to get undistracted.”

I’m grinning when I respond to Tully.

Sorry about that, Tulls. It was a full weekend for sure, but it won’t happen again, I promise. XO

Camden

What’s this I hear about a trip to meet Milo’s family?

I bite my lip and tuck my phone in my bag, uncertain how to answer that.

The ride back to Windy Harbor Sunday afternoon is much different than when we left on Friday.

Milo’s hand is either on my thigh or his fingers are threaded through mine.

We keep looking at each other and smiling.

The atmosphere is relaxed, if we’re not taking the high level of lust into consideration.

“If you need me to drive, let me know,” I tell him when we’re halfway. “You must be so tired.”

“You would know. You kept me up all night.” His smirk sparks little flames throughout my body.

“I didn’t hear you complaining.”

“Not for a fucking second. Except to say why are you climbing off of me?”

We laugh and my stomach dips as his eyes drift over me, his smile lingering.

“So…how do you foresee things going now?” he asks, his gaze dipping to my mouth.

“What do you mean?”

“Are we keeping this between us?” he asks. “Loud and proud with your family?” His jaw ticks as he turns back to the road. “Or are we going back to you hating me?”

“What do you want?”

He sighs. “Well, obviously I don’t want to go back to you hating me.”

“I never hated you…”

He shoots me a look. “Hmm. What shall we call it? Extreme dislike?”

I press my lips together. “Low trust of the male race?”

He snorts.

“And a Granger at that. You weren’t exactly my number one fan either,” I point out.

Another amused look from him that somehow feels like a caress.

“I hate nothing about you,” he says.

That makes me laugh.

His hand slides up my thigh and he squeezes. “You knew I liked you—I kissed you the night we met!”

My mouth drops. “I’m not so sure. You said I kissed like I had something to prove!”

He groans. “That wasn’t a bad thing.”

“You just like riling me up?”

He chuckles. “Well, yeah…I do love riling you up. But I wasn’t trying to upset you when I said that—I had no idea you’d take it the way you did. That kiss was the best of my fucking life…until this weekend. Damn. You have knocked me sideways with your mouth the past two nights.”

My face flushes and heat floods through my body. He grins when I shift in my seat.

“I’ll respect your decision,” he says. “But I have no reason to hide this.”

My heart stutters and something inside of me uncoils. “You don’t?”

“I don’t. Windy Harbor is small. People will eventually find out…if they don’t suspect already.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “You’re right. Erin and Juju will know as soon as they see me.”

He grins. “That freshly fucked look?”

I give him the side-eye. “Depends on whether we ever sleep together again.” I lift my shoulder nonchalantly.

He stares at me in alarm, and when I eventually start grinning, he rubs his chest.

“That hurt,” he says.

I laugh and he shakes his head.

“Who likes to rile who?” he says.

My laugh dies down and I trace circles over the top of his hand.

“Seriously, though…you don’t worry about the project? Our families?” I ask.

“I don’t know what will happen between our families, but you’re not something I want to hide from them or anyone else.

As far as the project…we’ve managed to make things work there.

We’re adult enough to continue with that, no matter what happens between us.

But you should know, Goldie—you’re not just a weekend fling for me.

I’ve wanted this and I still do. How about you? ”

His thumb is rubbing across my thigh and my insides feel like warm liquid with the things he’s saying and the way he’s touching me.

“I want this too,” I admit quietly. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.”

“What can I do to ease your fears?”

I look down, thinking about it. “I don’t know,” I finally say. “What happened with Wes was so unexpected. I was so blindsided. I guess just be honest with me. About everything. That’s really all I ask.”

He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “That I can do.”

When we’ve pulled into the lake house driveway, Milo puts his SUV in park and turns to face me.

“I’ll help you get your things inside, but…come here.” He leans closer and puts his hands on my cheeks, his lips meeting mine.

It’s slow and sweet. I sigh against his mouth, and he deepens the kiss, pulling me closer.

My hands tug his hair—I’ve learned this weekend that sinking my fingers into his hair is one of my favorite things to do.

I want to climb into his lap and get lost in him, but I end the kiss, my eyes dazed as I look at him.

“Thank you for coming home with me.” His thumb caresses my lower lip.

“I had the best time,” I tell him.

He leans his forehead against mine. “Me too. Best weekend I can remember, Golo.”

“Me too, Mildie.” I sigh.

He gives me one more kiss and groans. “I don’t want to leave your mouth.”

I smile against his lips. “Our lips are really good together.”

I hear something outside the SUV and turn to look. Grandma Donna and Grandma Nancy are standing there grinning in what I can only describe as pure glee.

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

Milo laughs. “They are the funniest, cutest ladies I’ve ever seen…well, my grandmas are right up there. But they could totally compete for who meddles most.”

I give them a pointed look, which sends them in titters, and I turn back to Milo in horror.

“Forgive them for their lack of kissing etiquette.”

“Not quite like giving the city of Minneapolis a show from the windows, is it?” He laughs when I smack his chest. “Should we kiss again and really make your grandmas happy?”

“No, we shouldn’t.” I get out of the SUV to the sound of him laughing and my grandmas swarming to hug me.

“Sorry, we interrupted. We came to help you get your things inside and then, imagine our surprise when things were heating up out here!” Grandma Donna says, patting my arm.

I fan my face. “No words,” I say, glancing at Milo as he walks to my side.

“Evening, ladies,” he says.

“It’s a fine evening, isn’t it?” Grandma Nancy beams at him. “Looks like you two got up to some fun this weekend.”

“We sure did,” Milo says, completely unfazed. “Your granddaughter is amazing, as you know. My parents fell for her, my friends fell for her…”

“And it sounds like you fell for Marigold too.” Grandma Nancy’s eyes are all lit up.

I press my lips together and shake my head, avoiding eye contact with Milo.

He surprises me by taking my hand and kissing it, and I swear, my grandmas both swoon in unison. His eyes are intense as he tips my chin up to look at him.

“I did. Though I think I fell for Marigold the night we met.” His smile is sweet and sinful.

Grandma Donna puts her hand on her chest. “That is beautiful. Just beautiful.”

I give him an apologetic look, but he just grins.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I say under my breath.

“More than you know,” he says, trying to hold back a laugh. “But it’s the truth, too…” He tugs my back against his chest, his arms wrapping around me. “I’m pretty sure I’m yours,” he says against my skin.

“Did he just say what I think he said?” Grandma Donna whisper-shouts.

Milo and I burst out laughing.

“Okay, Granny Whisperer. Let’s get my things,” I tell him.

“I’ve got it,” he says, still laughing as he walks to the trunk.

“You should come in for some dessert. I made a lemon bundt cake,” Grandma Nancy says.

“I’ve never had that,” Milo says, walking between my grandmas.

He turns back to look at me as if asking if I want him to stay.

“It’s delicious,” I tell him. “You should try some.”

He gives me a flirty grin. “Okay, sounds like a date, ladies.”

They both giggle and I roll my eyes, laughing as I follow them inside.

Kevin is thrilled to see me. He twirls until he must be dizzy. He’s wearing his purple and gold knitted beanie. Damn those Vikings for not having better colors.

“Oh my God. You are so cute, yes, you are!” I pick him up and he wiggles in my arms, so happy.

“How did he do?” I ask as I hug my dad. “And how did you do?”

“I am so glad to see you. Maybe it’ll give them someone else to focus on,” he whispers.

“Oh yeah, I think I’ve got you covered there.” I pat his knee.

“You’re not gonna believe what we just saw outside, Everett,” Grandma Donna announces. “These two were smooching until the windows were foggy.”

I put my hand on my forehead, groaning, as my dad looks between me and Milo with interest.

“Is that so?” he asks, chuckling.

“I hope it’s okay with you that I’m all about your daughter, Everett,” Milo says, and his unabashed declaration is the sexiest thing I’ve heard.

“I kinda figured, since you took her home to meet your family,” Dad says.

Milo reaches out and takes my hand. “She was a huge hit.”

“Well, you’re a huge hit around here. Look at their faces.” I point at the grandmas, who are gazing at him in adoration.

Grandma Donna fans her face. “He’s such a looker!”