Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,252

bump.

“Nice,” I groan. “So you’re a manwhore-in-training like your future brother-in-law.”

He frowns as he shoves a chip into his mouth. “Something like that.”

“And what about you?” I look to Eli, and he openly laughs.

“I am doing just fine on my own. You are the only hooked fish at the table. The rest of us are all still free agents.”

“But you’re not a player. You’re not keeping track of the notches on your headboard, are you?”

“Nope.” He frowns into the crowd. “I’ve been tarred, and feathered, and burned alive. I’ve more than learned my lesson when it comes to girls. Hold on loosely and all that other good crap. I’m glad things worked out great for you and Harper, though. Where is she? She cut you loose already?”

Rush and Seth laugh as if it were funny.

“Yup, that’s right. She’s lost her mind again and dumped me.”

“Is that what you say when I’m not around?” That voice. I know it well. I’ve heard it in and out of my sleep, and I should. She’s been keeping my bed warm at night.

I turn around and wince up at the most beautiful girl in the room—in the universe—before leaping out of my seat and doing my best to make things better with a kiss.

She bubbles with a laugh. “Let me get Ava and Lucky. They’re finishing up a game of pool in the back.” She zips off and I fall into my seat.

“Dude”—Eli shakes his head my way—“how did you get so lucky? That chick is unnaturally hot.”

“It’s true,” Seth grunts as if he too is mystified.

“Look the other way, boys, because she is taken.”

Rush presses out a mournful laugh. “You haven’t stepped into your first class, and you already dominate the field and the girls. Good work, my man.” He socks me in the arm and makes it hurt just enough.

“All right”—Lawson smacks Rush as he and Lucky circle his side of the table—“nobody beats up my bro but me.” It feels nice hearing it from Lawson. Our families may have been slow to mesh together, but we’re strong as steel now, a bond unbreakable no matter who decides to stay married. Lawson is great. I couldn’t care about him any more if he was blood.

Ava and Grant take the seats next to me, and Harper falls onto my lap right where I want her, right where she belongs.

“I am the lucky one around here.” I press a kiss to her cheek and linger. Every last square inch of this woman is so perfectly soft.

“I’m Lucky.” Lucky smirks over at the two of us. “But for the sake of semantics, I’ll admit you’re pretty lucky too.”

The waitress comes by with a round of drinks, and it’s Laney Capwell. “It’s on the house”—she gives a quick wink to Harper and me—“as a thank you for helping me find my dream home.” She leans in. “I just knew you two would work things out! And thanks to you, Baya and Bryson are already in escrow with the house down the street. Any time you want, all-you-can-eat fries are on me.”

“I think I love you!” Harper says as she bubbles with laughter. “And I love him for sure.” She gives my ear a quick nip as Laney takes off.

Lawson leans in and lifts his glass, and we do the same. “To another semester. May it be better than the last.”

“Hear, hear!” I touch my glass to Harper’s. “It already is.”

I look out at my sea of friends, at this sea of love, and I know we’re all damn lucky to have one another. And with Harper in my life, I’ll be feeling the love from here on out.

The night wanes, and Harper convinces me it’s time to split by way of those heated kisses she’s dripping down my neck. Just as we hit the door, a familiar brunette with a face I see in the mirror stomps in.

“Trix.” I pull her in and offer a spontaneous hug. “I’ve missed you.” There. That’s the truth. Our little experiment of spending more time apart has failed miserably and left me miserable in turn as well. “I still need your nagging, annoying, lovable as hell presence in my life, and I can finally admit it.”

Trixie and Harper share a laugh and it warms my heart, and just as quickly breaks it because Trix hasn’t quite warmed up to her yet.

“I’m sorry.” Trixie shrugs as she looks to Harper. “I was mean and nasty, but I love my brother. He’s