Page 129 of Taken By the Pack

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The election resultscome in while we’re all crowded into the flower shop, surrounded by the scent of roses and fresh earth. The little TV on the counter flickers as the news anchor’s voice fills the space.

“And in a landslide victory, Jake Marshall is the new mayor of Driftwood Cove.”

For a second, the words don’t register.

Then Grace lets out a squeal and launches herself at me, arms wrapping tight around my neck. I catch her, lifting her off her feet as she peppers my face with kisses.

Rowan claps me on the back with a rare grin. “You did it, man.”

Ash smirks, phone in hand, but the look shifts as a text pops up on his screen. His easy demeanor vanishes, his jaw tightening.

“What?” Rowan asks.

Ash sighs, turning the phone so we can all see.

This isn’t over.

The message is from his father.

Grace tenses in my arms, and I run a hand up her back, grounding her.

Rowan scoffs. “Figures.” He exhales hard, then shakes his head. “Forget that for now. We’re celebrating.”

Grace pulls back just enough to look at me, searching my face. “Now that we won… do you still want me at your place?” Her voice is quiet, uncertain. “You could have your house back, Jake. I could talk to Harold and move back to my place by the end of this week.”

I frown. “Havemy house back?” I absolutely love living with her, although my whole place is littered with her things, which are still in boxes.

She nibbles her lip, clearly not sure where she stands now that the election is over and Westbrook is likely defeated.

I take her face in my hands. “Home isn’t some building, Grace.Youare my home.”

Her breath catches.

Ash, still staring at the text on his phone, mutters, “Maybe we should start looking for a house for all of us.”

Rowan crosses his arms. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Grace’s eyes widen. “You’d all want that?”

Ash shrugs, but his voice is warm. “Yeah. We’re not letting you go.”

Rowan smirks. “Damn right.”

I toss a glance at Ash. “Lock the shop. We’ve got a victory to celebrate. Properly.”

Grace squeaks as Rowan and I lift her between us, her laughter echoing through the shop.

“Jake gets first dibs,” Rowan announces. “Mayor’s privilege.”

Her cheeks flush, her breath stuttering. “You guys areridiculous.”

“And you love it,” Ash teases, locking the shop door.

Grace only laughs harder as we carry her toward the back.

And damn, I’ve never felt more like I’m exactly where I belong.