Page 135 of Jack

“I’m so glad it’s over.”

“Oh, it’s just beginning,” Oaken said beside her.

Harper forced a laugh, hugged him too, and then joined Austen, who’d already done the honors.

“Now what?”

“Now we have pictures at the house,” Boo said. “And then the reception.”

And then Harper could get into her Sonic and floor it back to her life in Nashville.

“There’s a couple limos outside to take the wedding party to the house,” Austen said. “Megan said that she’d bring our makeup and clothing bags.”

Boo and Oaken stood at the doors, greeting guests as they came out. Sure, Harper should probably stick around and play bridesmaid—and sure, she was overjoyed for Boo and Oaken—but at this point, she was over it. The sooner she could escape, the better.

Maybe she’d spend the night on her mother’s sofa.

Harper followed Austen outside and found a limousine waiting for them, warming. Conrad helped Penelope inside, then held out his hand for Austen, who followed Penelope in.

He held out his hand to Harper. She took it.

“Great blog today,” he said as she gathered up her dress.

“What?”

“On thePopMusesite. I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming. Very . . . informative.”

She just frowned at him. “What blog?”

He raised an eyebrow, then fished his phone from his pocket. Unlocked it and handed it to her.

She climbed in and settled next to Austen in the plush seats, then looked at the phone.

No. Oh no . . . What?

Conrad got in and shut the door.

“Where’s Jack?” asked Austen. “And Stein?”

“They’re driving Dad’s truck back to the house. Mom and Dad are driving with Oaken’s parents.”

But Harper couldn’t take her gaze from the blog—no, hernovel.

Jack turns toward me, his expression hesitant yet filled with a longing that echoes my own. He leans in slowly, his lips meeting mine with a tenderness that sends shivers down my spine. The touch is a whisper, cautious and exploring. Yet as I respond, something shifts. The kiss deepens, fueled by my eager reply.

ThePopMuseeditor had written an introduction. Harper wanted to cover the phone as she read it.

Welcome to the juiciest slice of today’s wedding insider—where the bride and groom aren’t the only ones trying to stay warm in snowy Minnesota. Stay tuned as we dish out more from this wedding’s exclusive “Private Moments with Brontë and Oaken” series.

Private moments? Oh no?—

Don’t say we didn’t warn you—it’s getting hot in Minnesota!

Not hot. Not. Hot.

Harper looked up at Conrad, who was watching her. He nodded to her silent question and she handed back the phone.

Just stop thinking. Breathe. Enjoy.