But today was all about Nicole. “Sledding sounds perfect. Why don’t you go get ready?”
“Yay!” Nicole leapt down and ran out of the kitchen. They could hear the pitter-patter of her feet moving through the house and presumably into her bedroom. There was the sound of drawers opening and closing as she searched for the sledding gear she’d picked out herself from Cutler Sporting Goods. Cal had been arrested and had done some time, but unfortunately had never paid back a penny. Still, after floundering for a bit, the store was beginning to thrive again on its own merit.
Jane leaned back against Levi’s chest and sighed in pleasure as he dragged his mouth down the side of her neck. “Mmm . . .” she murmured. “You going to work for a little while?”
“No. Thought I’d go sledding with my two favorite girls.”
She twisted around to face him and smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you more.” He leaned into her and was halfway through giving her another heart-stopping kiss when those little feet came running into the kitchen again.
“Daddy! Leave her alone, we’re going sledding!”
Levi gently nudged Jane off his lap and stood to face the sweetest little tyrant they’d ever met. “Can I go too?”
Nicole giggled. “Of course, Daddy. Can Peyton come over and sled with us? And Taylor? I promised my cousins. Oh, and Aunt Tess too! And Grandma and Grandpa! And Auntie Charlotte and Uncle Mateo!”
“Everyone can come.”
“Really?” Nicole asked, bouncing up and down.
“Really.”
Nicole ran to him, flinging herself into the air. Levi caught her and then snagged Nicole’s mommy in close too. “Caught you both.”
“Careful,” Jane warned. “The syrup’s sticky.”
“Perfect. Now we can stick together.” He pressed his forehead to Jane’s. “For always.”
Sounded like the perfect plan.
P.S. Insights, Interviews & More . . .*
About the Author
* * *
Meet Jill Shalvis
About the Book
* * *
Reading Group Guide
Read On
* * *
Coming Soon . . . An Excerpt from The Friendship Pact
About the Author
Meet Jill Shalvis
New York Times bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold and visit her website, jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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About the Book
Reading Group Guide
If you thought you only had a few minutes to live, what would you do during that time?
Did you think Levi’s deception was justified?
Under what circumstances would it be acceptable to lie to your family, or is it never acceptable?
Would you have agreed to help Levi if you were in Jane’s position? Why or why not?
Do you have any regrets about your past relationships? How do they impact your current relationships?
What is your definition of a family?