Before the Sunset (Cottonwood Cove, #4)

by Laura Pavlov

Literally, since birth. She was my person. We’d never crossed the line physically, and not because she wasn’t gorgeous. Reese was the most beautiful woman in the world, as far as I was concerned.

I tried dialing Reese three times, but she wasn’t picking up. My chest squeezed because the thought of her hurting, and me not being there, didn’t sit well with me. She’d always been my ride or die.

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

“You just flew to London on a whim?” she whispered.

“You needed me,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “We made a deal years ago. I wasn’t about to break it now.” She tipped her head back to look at me. “You call. I come. And vice versa.”

I stroked her hair. Damn, it was good to see her. Reese was my girl in every sense of the word—minus the sex. She was the one I shared everything with and who I trusted with my deepest secrets. My best friend and my favorite person.

She smelled like violet and amber. It had always been my favorite scent. Reese Murphy had always smelled like home.

“Good Christ. The fucking driver posted a photo of me and him, saying I was in London to see my girl,” I groaned. She put her glass down just as the burgers were set in front of us. “What did you tell him?” “That I was in fucking London to see my girl.” I reached for my burger and took a large bite.

“Oh my God, Chewy!” I squealed. “Stop shouting. I’m dreaming,” he groaned, wrapping his arm around me a little tighter. “Yeah. I’m aware. You’ve got yourself a little morning situation.” My voice was still groggy after sleeping through the night for the first time in days. “And Chewy Junior is poking me in the butt.” I glanced over my shoulder to see him open one eye as he took me in.

“Never. You’ve always been my girl. A little fake dating isn’t going to change that. I’m a professional actor, for God’s sake. Carl’s going to lose his shit when he sees me with my woman. You’re mine now,”

“Like something was missing?” Lane pressed. “Definitely. I wasn’t on the right path, so I made a change.” Reese let out a breath, and I squeezed her hand. I didn’t want her to say anything that would mess up her future with Carl, even though I hated the dick weasel. “If my relationship had fulfilled me, I don’t believe I would have left. But the person I missed the most when I was away is the man sitting beside me right now.” A tear moved down her cheek, and my fucking chest squeezed. Damn, she was good.

“Tell me something fun about one another that nobody knows. I mean, you’ve known one another your entire lives. I’m guessing you know each other better than anyone.” I glanced at Reese and turned my attention back to Lane. “Reese’s favorite color is citrine.” I chuckled. “Everyone gives her shit about it, saying she should just say that her favorite color is yellow, but I never did because I know the reason.” “And what’s the reason?” Lane leaned forward, completely invested. “We’d race daylight every day when we were growing up. We’d stay outside until just before sunset, and during that last hour, she’d always look up at the sky and point to all the colors. Man, this went on for so many summers over the years. And she’d point out this particular shade of yellow and tell me that it was citrine. She’d call it a gift from the sun.” Reese laughed. “Good memory, Finn. He’s also being modest because that wasn’t the only place that I would see my favorite color.” “Where else did you see it?” Lane asked.

“Look at his eyes. There’s a gold ring around the outside, and if you look closely, you’ll see the layers of amber and citrine.” “I do see it.” Lane motioned for the photographers to snap a few pictures of us while we were sitting close and having a good time.

“You two have quite a history. I imagine this one’s going to stick.” Lane smirked. “I think it’s already sticking, Lane.”

And that wasn’t a lie.

Her jaw fell open. “That’s what my Bossman and Links said. They thinks I am a real live princess.” She wiggled out of my arms and clapped her hands together. “Everyone is here, Miss Matilda.”

Gracie sat at the head of the table between her grandma and grandpa, and I glanced around, taking them all in. The guys all looked way too big for their chairs, but there they were, showing up for this little girl.

Matilda and two teenage girls who worked for her came around to fill our teacups. Gracie stood up and patted her dress into place. “Bossman, thank you for giving my family this special party. All of my favorites are here. I thought you’d never come home, Ree Ree. I waited forever and a few days for you to come back.”

Maddox, whom Gracie called Bossman, stared at the platters of tiny sandwiches and picked up his teacup. “So, this is the big experience, huh? Little sandwiches and a few drops of liquid in our cups?”

I raised a brow and looked between them. “You two are up to no good.” “I was going to say the same to you,” Cage said. “You do seem like you’re in a hurry to get out of here.” Hugh barked out a laugh. “We’re anxious to get home and take the horses for a ride,” I said, reaching for my teacup and taking a sip. “That’s not the only thing you’re going to ride,” Finn said against my ear, and I spewed tea all over the table. I coughed hard, and Finn rubbed my back as I reached for my napkin.

“Hey there, y’all. Miss Gracie, your uncle Finny sent over a special cake in honor of your tea party.” “You dicknut,” Cage hissed under his breath. “You got a five-year-old a wedding cake. You know I don’t like her to eat too much sugar because it always makes her cry after.” “She pointed it out to me a few weeks ago in the window at Larson’s bakery.” “So, you just bought it for her?” “Yes. Exactly. And so what if she cries a little after? You can get in touch with your feminine side, brother. Plus, everyone loves cake. So, let’s cut the cake and get a move on.”

It wasn’t desperate or frantic this time. It was—perfect. I’d never felt a connection to anyone the way I did to Finn. But in this moment, it was somehow stronger. The kind of connection you would never get over. The kind that brought you to your knees and made you weep if it was gone. “Nothing has ever felt better,” he hissed. “I love you so fucking much.” “I love you, too.” We’d said those words thousands of times. But this time, they felt like they had more meaning.

“Hey, I need you for a minute.” Brinkley glanced around to make sure no one was paying us any attention as she motioned for me to follow. She stopped in front of the hall closet and opened the door and shoved me inside. Georgia and Maddox’s house was custom-built, and of course, they had a window in their oversized hall closet with views of the ocean in the distance. It provided enough light to see one another, and I crossed my arms over my chest.

“What are we doing in here, Brinks?”

The door whipped open, and Hugh stepped inside. With both he and I in the closet and then you add in petite Brinkley, it was getting a little crowded. I stepped deeper into the abyss of all of Georgia’s holiday boxes and luggage.

“Why are we in the closet?” he asked, before taking a long pull from his beer.

The door opened again, because heaven for-fucking-bid anyone in this family have a private conversation. Now it was Cage stepping inside, with Georgia right behind him, shoving themselves in and pulling the door closed. “I figured it had to be something good, seeing as you’re all packed into the closet.” Cage pushed Hugh back a little so he could stand all the way up.

The door whipped open and in waddled a very pregnant Dylan. “Hey, what is the rule we have about family meetings?” “Keep the talk short?” Cage asked, and she chuckled. “If one goes, we all go. I’m offended that you’ve all disappeared and didn’t invite me.” “Well, no one here was actually invited,” I said. “They just keep coming in.”

“I’m thankful for Grammie and Pops!” Gracie shouted. “And all my families and for Bob Picklepants.” I barked out a laugh because the fact that my oldest brother, with the heart of the Tin Man, had not only gotten his baby girl the cutest puppy, but he’d allowed her to name it that ridiculous name. “Cheers to Bob Picklepants,” Hugh said, holding his glass high. “To Bob Picklepants!” everyone said together. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s eat.” Cage rolled his eyes before cutting up the food on Gracie’s plate beside him.

“Merry Christmas, beautiful,” his deep voice whispered from between my legs.

My legs were bent, and he was propped up to look at me, wearing a Santa hat on his head. “Ho ho ho. Don’t say no.” “Oh my gosh. Chewy! Why are you wearing a Santa hat?”

“Yeah. Mom actually sprinkles reindeer shit out in the snow,” Cage said as he glanced over to see his daughter in the kitchen, helping our mom put the muffins into a basket.

“It’s not reindeer shit, you dick banana. It’s reindeer food,” Hugh said, over his laughter.

“So, what happens when you leave, Finny? Have you two figured that out yet?” “Well, are you finally admitting that this isn’t a fake relationship?” My mother raised a brow, and my father barked out a laugh. “It’s not fake,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t think it ever was.” Reese’s eyes doubled in size, and a slow smile spread across her face. “It never did feel fake, did it?” “I don’t think you could have given me a better Christmas gift than that,” my mother said as she beamed at us.

Chewy The food is good here, but it’s a little spicy. I miss taking the horses out with you. I think of you every night before the sun sets. It’s our time. Always has been, always will be. Chewy It doesn’t matter where I am. I think of you nonstop. Chewy I got hit on tonight, and I let her know I was practically married. Because, in a sense, I am. You have my heart, and you always will.

There are no citrine flowers, so this is the best I can do. There are 29 daffodils and 29 roses (pending Janine at Cottonwood Blooms counted correctly). One of each flower for every year that I’ve been lucky enough to call you my best friend. You are that and so much more. I will love you forever, Miney. Xo, Chewy

Chewy It’s beautiful here. I wish you were with me. There is no one that I want by my side other than you. I ache for you, Miney.

Chewy I’m glad that you keep hearting these texts, so I’ll keep them coming. But I wouldn’t mind hearing from you either. A sign of life. Can you throw me a bone? I’d laughed at that. And of course, I responded.

I’m giving you time to figure things out. But I miss you so much, Chewy. I’m here, and I’ll continue to be here. Always. Chewy That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll keep blowing up your phone because you’re all I think about.

Chewy That’s easy. I’m lying in bed right now, and I’m thinking about you. Thinking about the sound of your laugh. Do you know it’s my favorite sound in the world?

Chewy Damn. I’m not sleeping well without you. It’s not the kind of lonely where I want to find someone else to keep me company because it’s the kind of lonely where I crave only one person. Only you can make me whole. I don’t want anyone but you.

That had caused me to crack. I’d sat at my desk and sobbed when I’d read it. I couldn’t not respond. I feel that same kind of lonely. I only want you. Twenty-seven days, Chewy. I’ll see you soon. I love you.

Chewy Work is hard. The hours are long, but the director is great. My costar, Melanie Starwood, has three kids. They are all on set. Her husband is here, too. They’re really great. This can be a family business, Miney. People make it work. I’ve never craved Hollywood. I craved the creativity of acting. I miss our life in Cottonwood Cove, but I thrive on set. No reason we can’t have both. Together. I want that. We can hire someone to help you at work so you can travel with me when you want to, and when I’m not filming, we’ll be home. I see it, Reese. I see it all with you.

I see it, too. Go make some magic, Finn Reynolds.

Chewy I brought that shirt of mine that you liked to wear around the house. It smells like you. Violet and amber. I sleep with it on my pillow every night. That’s not creepy, is it? Not creepy at all. I sleep in your favorite flannel every night. I stole it the night I left. I pretend that you’re with me when I fall asleep.