Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)

by Liz Tomforde

I know what I’m looking for because I had it once, and now the only girl I’ve ever loved is moving into the house next to mine. Again.

“The guy you were with tonight.” I slowly shift back to face her. “Who was he?” The set in her jaw is evident even from here. “Not your job to worry about.” Nodding, I turn back to my house, hands casually tucked in my pockets as I continue to walk. With my back to her, I make sure my words are loud enough for her to hear them. “Lose him.”

“I’m going to do it!” His tipsy grin is way too big. “I’m going to go ask for her number.” “Hey, Rook?” He looks my way, so stupidly excited. “Yeah?” “Sit the fuck down.” “Yep.”

But frankly, Hallie Hart is all I see.

Outside, standing between our houses, we hold each other longer than friends should. We hold each other longer than two people who claim to still be hurt by each other should. Rio takes a deep, centering breath. “I missed you, Hallie,” he whispers into my hair.

His attention moves back to my mouth, once again asking the question, “You single, Hal?”

finally give him the long-awaited answer, nodding to tell him yes. “Good.” He takes a slow predatorial step towards me, tone sharp and leaving no room for question. “Because we aren’t fucking friends.”

It feels like there are six years of wanting wrapped into this kiss.

No awkwardness, no figuring it out tentatively, because I’ve been kissing this boy since I was sixteen. We were the ones who taught each other how to do it. It’s second nature at this point.

“I love that dress on you, baby.” “Thank you. It’s⁠—” “Take it off.”

“That story makes me want to go home and see Isaiah.” Kennedy leans her head on her sister-in-law’s shoulder. “Then ask him why he only pursued me for three years before we got married when he should’ve started thinking about me at the age of twelve.”

“Rio DeLuca.” Oh, she’s pissed. At me, it seems. She stops at the base of the stairs that lead up to the hot tub, arms crossed and hip cocked out with attitude. “Hi, baby.” My tone is cautious. “I missed you.”

if I were around when your dad got sick in the first place, the way I should’ve been, I would’ve taken care of the financial aspect anyway. You know that. And I think that’s why you were so against my help before.”

“Fine.” I kiss her again. “So would now be a good time to also tell you that I bought you a car?”

“Rio, playing for Boston is your childhood dream.” I shake my head. “You’re my childhood dream.”

Besides Indy, we’re all a bunch of transplants from other places who found a home in the windy city…and with each other. I’ll speak for all ten of us when I say, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be.