Before the Sunset (Cottonwood Cove, #4)

by Laura Pavlov

Reese was the most beautiful woman in the world, as far as I was concerned.

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 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.

“Hey, good boots are like a good man. They’re even better when you break them in.” She

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

“That’s because we’re peas and carrots, right?” she teased. It’s what our mothers had always said since we were young. And damn, had they been right. Because this girl had always completed me in a way I’d never understood. “Damn straight. Eat up. No more of this pouting shit. Starting today, you hold your head high. No more grieving over a dude who doesn’t deserve your time or your tears.”

“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,”

“You want to join me, Lover?” he teased as he walked slowly to the bathroom, and I stood up and glanced in his direction. He turned the water on with his back to me and tugged off his shirt and waved it around in the air before whipping it in my direction. Then he turned around and dropped his briefs. My eyes widened as I stared at his chiseled, toned ass. He looked over his shoulder and smiled before he stepped into the shower. I walked the short distance and pulled the door closed before fanning my face. My new fake boyfriend was not going to make this easy on me.

my siblings were ready to pounce. They all had the patience of a toddler on a sugar high.

Very few people tolerated Mrs. Runither, but Finn had always embraced her. He didn’t mind that she was a dirty old bird and completely unprofessional in the way she violated her customers. He shrugged it off.

I love this batty old woman.

Chewy Junior was poking me in the back again.”

Finn Reynolds really was my favorite person on the planet.

“You’re the best fake boyfriend in the world, Chewy.”

For a moment, I wondered what it would be like if she didn’t go back to Carl. And she stayed here with me. Forever.

“I think you should experience some goddamn fun and a whole lot of good lovin’. It’s going to be life-changing.”

“You want me, don’t you, Chewy?” I did, didn’t I? Cage was right. The thought of claiming Reese in a way I never imagined possible didn’t have me running scared. I wanted her as more than my fake girlfriend. As more than just a best friend. I wanted to make Reese Murphy feel good in a way her boyfriend never would. Even if I knew I couldn’t keep her forever. Eventually, she’d go back to Carl because that was who she wanted to spend her life with. And my life would return to normal. Dating and having a good time. But for this short time… I wanted this.

I don’t fucking leave, Miney. I’m not the one trying to make you into someone you’re not. I’ve always known who you are.”

I wasn’t sure how I’d gotten so lucky to call Finn Reynolds my best friend. But there’d never been a day that I hadn’t known how lucky I was. Because even when I felt lost… he always felt like home.

I was seeing Finn differently these days. Maybe because I was trying to figure out my future with Carl. Either way, Finn’s good nature, kindness, caring for me, and making me feel special were all things I wanted in a relationship, and sadly, I didn’t remember having those things with Carl. Things with Carl were never this easy.

I think I have feelings for Reese. Like real fucking feelings. Not the friendship kind. Cage You don’t fucking say? I’m shocked. <blowing smoke emoji> Don’t be a dick. I’ve never felt like this. Tell me what to do. Hugh I get it. It’s going to be okay. I think we all saw this coming. Cage Hell, yeah, we did. You aren’t that good of an actor. <winky face emoji> I’m kidding. But I’ve known for a while.

“You fake sleeping, Miney?” His voice was deep and low, and there was humor there. “Well, we’re fake dating, so it only seems natural.” I chuckled.

I’m sorry for throat-punching you and kicking you in the balls.”

“Loving people always comes with risk, Chewy.” I swiped at the tear rolling down my cheek. “That shouldn’t stop you from living. From loving.”

“Reese Reynolds has a nice ring to it.” He nipped at my bottom lip. “It does. Forever has a nice ring, too.” “You were always my forever. It just took us a little bit to figure it out.” He kissed me before pulling back. “I love you, Reese.” “I love you more.”