Page 48 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

PHASE ONE

GOLDIE

The day of the restaurant’s grand opening is gorgeous and toasty.

I get up early, unable to stop smiling. When I’m not staring at Milo, I’m staring at my ring. I love it so much.

I love him so much.

Milo looks like a fallen angel in bed, his lips extra pouty from how long we kissed last night.

We barely slept, and I feel like I’ll probably be walking funny today because we had sex like it was our last night on Earth.

My heart gallops just thinking about it.

His smile, the way his broad shoulders hovered over me, his perfect ass in my grip, his thick thighs, his forearms and his long, thick fingers.

That V that I think about whether he’s dressed or not.

His exquisite cock. It’s really not fair to the rest of mankind that it was all given to Milo Lombardi.

My fiancé.

I tiptoe out of the room to let him sleep a little longer because if I keep looking at him, I’m gonna have to climb on top of him.

And there’s a lot to do today.

But first, at breakfast, once everyone is in the dining room, including Milo, I take the opportunity to lift my hand up for everyone to behold my ring’s beauty.

“Milo and I have something to tell you,” I sing.

I don’t even know who shouts first or who hugs me first because there’s a roar and Milo and I are bombarded with hugs. I laugh and cry because that seems to be my default lately, feeling all the things, all the time.

Mostly I feel so loved and so grateful.

Milo got ready before I did so I could have the bathroom to myself. He groans when he sees me in my dress. It’s black with long sleeves and a low neckline…and hits me mid-thigh.

“You look hot as fuck,” he says. “And elegant. And so unbelievably sexy.” His hand goes to the back of his neck while he looks me up and down. “We have a few minutes before we have to go, right?”

I move toward him, and my five-inch heels put me closer to his height, but I still have to look up. He’s in a black three-piece suit and looks absolutely delicious. I smooth his lapel and straighten his tie. And then I run the back of my hand over his smoothly shaven skin.

“Mmm, so soft. You look good enough to eat,” I tell him.

He leans in to kiss me, and I put my finger on his lips.

“We don’t have time now, but I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”

“You’re sure?” he asks.

His hands slide to my backside and I’m tempted, really tempted, to lift my dress and let him take me now, but sense prevails.

“I’m so sure,” I say.

He pouts and lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

“We might need to go to your place tonight, that’s how sure I am.”

His eyes light up at that because he knows we’re as loud as we want to be when we’re there.

“Let’s do this,” he says.

As we’re about to leave, Kevin trots out. Grandma Donna had come to get him while I was getting ready and now I see why. He’s wearing a little knitted sweater that looks like a tux. I have to say, it’s one of her cutest creations.

“Look at you!” I go on over him and he dances around my feet.

Grandma Donna looks so proud when we walk out.

“His sweater tux is so cute, Grandma!”

“Aw, thank you, dear. You look gorgeous!”

“Yes, you do,” Grandma Nancy adds.

“You both look lovely too!”

Milo kisses their cheeks and tells them how pretty they look and they preen under his attention. I swear, if they were younger, they’d be shooting their shot with my fiancé.

I probably think of the word fiancé every other second now.

Milo, Milo, Milo. Fiancé, fiancé, fiancé.

I haven’t even thought about a wedding yet. I don’t care what we do, I just want to be his wife.

We take his SUV since it’s a little trek from the house and he lets me, my grandmas, and Kevin out before going to park.

Kevin’s just staying long enough for the fam to see him in his sweater tux and then Grandma Donna is driving him back to the house.

I walk inside and glance around the room, so excited for everyone to experience Elm & Echo.

The forty-foot windows are a showstopper in themselves, and the view will make it even better in the daytime.

But it’s still stunning in here at night.

One of my favorite projects is the tree I created out of combining all different kinds of branches, and then I covered them with tiny lights.

It’s standing in the back corner and is almost as tall as the ceiling.

I had to put it together horizontally and then have five men help me stand it up.

Hanging from the ceiling are thin branches with lights, and there’s a massive glam chandelier too, but with the tables made out of distressed wood, it’s the perfect juxtaposition of romantic, not too formal, and comfortable.

My grandmas gasp when they see everything. They’ve seen it at various stages but wanted to be surprised with the final look.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” Grandma Donna says.

“Good gravy, this is gorgeous,” Grandma Nancy adds.

“Thank you.” I squeeze both of them. “It took a lot of hands on deck to make this happen.”

I smile at all the new employees Camden has hired.

Everyone is so nice and excited to be part of this new venture—I think he made great choices.

I walk back to the kitchen and Tully is already here, standing next to Camden.

I inhale the aroma of fresh herbs and garlic, meat and desserts competing with each other.

I’m barely in the door when Juju barrels past me, her heels clicking against the floor. She looks livid.

“I should’ve known better than to bring desserts for you!” she shouts over her shoulder. “You can find someone else to do your bidding, Camden Whitman!”

She nearly collides with me and stops just long enough to hiss, “You look really pretty. I’ll let you deal with that a-hole.”

Camden laughs. “May as well call a jackass a jackass, Juliana.”

“Okay, jackass,” she mutters, going out the door.

“What did you do to her?” I ask, wide-eyed.

“She was later than I wanted with the pies and cheesecakes. And she made mousse cakes and bread pudding. I didn’t ask for mousse cakes or bread pudding.”

“You gave her a hard time for bringing extra desserts…” I stare at him, dumbfounded. “You are a jackass! I can’t believe you. Why does she bring out the worst in you?”

“Did you hear the way she talked to me?”

“Like you deserved, it sounds like!”

He sighs. “Come on, don’t pile on.” He looks at me sheepishly.

“Okay, but stop being mean to my friend. Haven’t you heard? You’re the nicest brother.”

“Hey!” Tully says. “Again, I’m the twin. He is not. Therefore, I am supposed to be your favorite everything.”

“You’re my favorite also,” I tell him.

Tully grins and bumps me in the hip, until he hears the word also. I give him a side hug to make up for it.

“How are you doing besides being a temperamental jackass over getting extra desserts?” I ask Camden.

He wipes his hands on his apron and grumbles, “I was fine. Until she showed up.”

Milo walks in and my dad, Dylan, Noah, and Grayson are with him.

Everyone is dressed up in their best suits, hair to perfection, and the smell of aftershave is a little overwhelming in this space.

Their hair has grown out more and they all look so handsome.

Every single one of them, my dad included, could be models if they wanted to. They never would, but they could.

“I’m excited for this night. Amazed at how it all came together. Blown away by how many helped make it happen,” Camden says. “Especially all of you.”

Noah opens a bottle of champagne and fills a glass for each of us. For Grayson, he pulls his travel cup out of his bag. “Chocolate milk for you,” he tells him.

Grayson beams up at him and then smiles around the room.

Noah raises his glass. “I’m proud of you, brother. To Camden. For creating something beautiful and inspiring.”

We all click glasses.

“To Camden,” we repeat.

“To family,” Tully says, and we repeat.

“To food,” Dylan says, sniffing the air dramatically.

“To Grayson,” I grin at him, “for being the cutest one in the kitchen!”

Grayson laughs. “Cheers!” he yells, lifting his chocolate milk.

Camden exhales and grins. “Let’s open this place up.”

The restaurant is humming. Plates of roasted halibut and duck confit glide out of the kitchen. Every corner feels alive.

I’ve smiled until my face hurts. So many people from town have shown up to celebrate.

Miss Idella and Emmy are still here, looking a little tipsy from their mulled wine.

Bosco even showed up and is telling everyone at the bar about Francine.

Friends from the Twin Cities even made the drive.

Milo’s parents are here, and his maternal grandma, and his paternal grandparents.

I’m kissed on both cheeks by both his grandmas.

“You are prettier than I could’ve imagined,” Nana says.

“Absolutely stunning,” his other grandma says.

“I’m thrilled to finally meet you both. Now I see where Milo and his parents got their beauty.”

They both flush and hug me again.

I’m standing at the host stand with Milo when the door swings open, a wave of cool evening air rushing in, and a group comes in that turns every head.

I blink once. Twice.

“No way,” I gasp.

Camden’s just stepped out of the kitchen and he freezes. Then his mouth splits into a grin almost as big as mine.

“Addy? Penn?” I’m already moving toward them, arms open.

Addy barrels into me first and Penn goes for Camden.

“You didn’t think we’d miss this, did you?” She holds out her hand to Milo. “Hello, Mr. Lombardi. I’m so happy to finally meet you in person.”

“I’m happy to meet you too,” he says, his smile warm.

Addy moves to hug Camden. “Look at you. Creating another gem.”

Penn comes over to hug me and then introduces himself to Milo.

“Yep, he’s a stud,” Penn tells me.

Milo and I laugh.

“Yes, he is,” I agree.

Rhodes and Elle walk in hand-in-hand, Weston and Sadie not far behind, followed by Henley and Tru, and then—Bowie and Poppy. My jaw actually drops.

“They all came,” I whisper to Milo. “From Silver Hills.”

Milo leans close, murmuring, “I didn’t know Camden rolled with the entire Colorado Mustangs team.”

“This group of players worshipped his kitchen in Denver.” I grin.

Camden’s laughing now, trying to keep it together as each one pulls him into a hug. I’m beside myself, seeing my brother so happy.

“Did you know they were coming?” Camden asks me, wide-eyed.

I shake my head, still stunned. “I didn’t know anyone but Addy knew where Windy Harbor was!”

And then I hear Erin. “Oh my God! You people are gorgeous!”

She walks in like she owns the place—a cropped silver jacket with wide-legged black pants that shimmer when she walks. She has pinup hair and a red lip to die for.

“My girl, look at this place. It’s magic,” she says, hugging me.

Juju walks in behind her. She’s changed since she was here before, and her blonde hair is down and glorious. It’s usually pulled back when she’s at the cafe, and she has the best hair. She’s in a blue dress that skims over her body perfectly and she looks stunning.

“I’m here for you, not your brother,” she whispers, hugging me.

“Thank you for coming. I’m sorry he was such a jerk,” I tell her.

“Not your responsibility to apologize for him.” She smiles at me and then shoots daggers at my brother.

Whew. Something’s gotta give with those two.

The rest of the night goes without a hitch. The food, the flicker of candles, the laughter—it’s all a dream. And it just feels like the beginning.

I press a hand to my heart, just for a second.

“What are you thinking?” Milo says, moving next to me.

I shift so I’m in front of him and put my arms around his neck.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

“Me either. And it’s because of you,” he says.

The last guests have gone. The lights are low. We won’t do this all the time, but tonight Milo and my brothers and I pitched in and helped get the restaurant back in order.

It’s been a long, perfect day.

And then Milo takes me to his place. I take my heels off and let them dangle from my hand. Milo’s hands slide around my waist from behind. He pulls me flush against him and kisses my ear.

“You were unbelievable tonight,” he says, his lips brushing against my neck. “Every time I looked at you, I couldn’t believe that you’re mine.”

I turn in his arms. His sleeves are rolled up, his tie gone, and his collar open just enough for me to want more. His hair’s messy, just the way I like it. And his eyes—warm and hungry.

My fingers trail just under his collar. “I felt you watching me.”

He leans down. His kiss is slow. Mesmerizing.

“You are mine, right?” he whispers, his lips grazing mine. “Tell me.”

I breathe against his mouth. “I’m yours. I’ve always been.”

He groans, soft and low, before kissing me again, deeper this time.

“I’m yours too, Goldie,” he says.

His hands tighten at my waist and mine slide beneath his shirt.

His kisses trail down my neck and he undoes the single side button at my waist. My dress parts enough to show the inside button on the other side of my waist. When he gets that undone, he slides my dress off my shoulders and drinks me in.

I give him a second to admire my black lacy number, another Scarlett Landmark original, before I stalk toward him. He catches me and lifts my legs around his waist.

“I want you,” I whisper, my fingers tangling through his hair.

“I’ve wanted you all night.”

I lean forward until our foreheads touch, noses brushing. “Then stop waiting.”

He carries me to his bed, and for the rest of the night, it’s just us.

Love unrestrained.