“No—I can’t. He bought passes for the zoo and is excited to see us. And honestly?” I fiddled with the strap of my purse. “I’ve already delayed it three times this year.”
“I know.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m just bummed I can’t go with you. When will you guys be back?”
“Thursday afternoon.”
He parked the truck in Jackson’s driveway and threaded his hand through my hair. “I’m going to miss you,” he said before pulling me in for a searing kiss. “Come on, let’s go.”
I waited for him to come around and open my door before climbing down. I had no problem letting Rhett take care of me, do all the small things that made him feel like he was there for me. Yes, he’d been raised to open doors and pull out chairs for women. But I knew it went deeper than that; the little things he did were his way of showing he cared. That was what Miranda meant when she said he shows how he feels.
We walked hand in hand around to the back, where voices and music filled the air.
Brittney, Jackson’s sister, and Ashley were belting out some country song that I recognized but couldn’t remember the name of while Jackson played the guitar. For the first time in three years, I felt like I belonged there again. They had always invited me, and it wasn’t even begrudging. Had I ever come, they would have welcomed me. But other than Ashley, these were Rhett’s friends, not mine. I liked Brittney, but she was Savannah's age, and she’d always been closer with her than me.
I glanced around the fire pit and spotted Hattie talking to Dylan, who must be off duty tonight. It was nice to see him. Working on the police force, he rarely got to come out to these things because he kept weird hours. They were both sitting on the L-shaped built-in stone seat wall that lined the far corner of the patio. She laughed at something he said, and Dylan placed his arm behind her.
Oh boy, Rhett would lose it if he caught his friends flirting with any of his sisters. I glanced up, and Rhett was staring at me, not at the scene in front of us.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. I’m just happy you’re here with me tonight.”
“That makes two of us.” Jackson appeared next to Rhett, slapping him on the back. “Fucking happy as a pig in shit that you two finally figured this out,” he said, pointing between us.
Rhett narrowed his eyes. “Not you too. I’ve gotten enough shit from my siblings today.”
“Sorry, man. Seriously, just happy for you guys.”
Rhett reluctantly let go of me to grab us drinks as I took a seat next to Ashley. She did a double take over my shoulder. I turned and saw Rhett talking with a pretty blonde I didn’t recognize. My stomach sank as the blonde placed her hand on his forearm, and Rhett laughed.
“Don’t do this again. Are you trying to sabotage this before it even gets started? You know Rhett is just charming and oblivious to women flirting. He’s always been like that.”
“I know, but this always seems to be an issue.”
“Becauseyoumake it one.” Ashley’s shoe nudged my foot, causing me to turn my attention back to her. “Come on, look at me. I’ve waited all day to find out what happened yesterday. Now spill,” Ashley whispered.
“Sorry, I meant to call and got sidetracked with Brendan today.” I shrugged. “But there’s not much to tell. I went up to the cabin last night so we could talk—”
Rhett chuckled as he sat down next to me, handing me a beer. “Yeah, okay. We can go with that story.” I glared at him, and he shot me a wink. Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he pulled me close to his side as we settled back onto the outdoor sofa. His fingers traced lazily up and down my arm, sending a shiver through my body, and his warm lips against my ear made my breath catch. “Are you cold?”
“No, I—” He chuckled and skimmed his lips against the sensitive part of my neck, right below my ear.
“Gross. It’s going to be like that now?” Ashley said.
“I wish we were alone,” Rhett whispered and then straightened suddenly, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. His darkened eyes were focused on me as my body heated from the intensity.
“Me too,” I muttered, ignoring Ashley’s huff.
A slow smile appeared on his face before he turned his attention to the conversation on his other side.
I blinked and looked back at Ashley. What the heck was she saying? “What?” I finally asked once my brain could form words.
Her eyebrows raised slightly, and I shook my head. For someone who made a big show of wanting us to get back together, her teasing was amusing.
We all settled into easy conversation, laughing and catching up. Ashley and I were deep into a discussion about one of our favorite shows when I heard someone ask Rhett how he talked me into giving his sorry ass another chance.
My teeth bit into my lower lip, waiting to hear his response.
He laughed and looked down at me as he smiled. “Let’s just say I’m fucking glad I was running late to meet my contractor.” His arm tightened around my shoulder, and he placed a kiss on the top of my head.