“What was that about?” Mia mouthed to Bubba after they were gone.
Bubba shrugged. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen Tulsi get weird when Pike’s name was brought up, but it was the first time he’d seen her lose her temper in years. The last time he’d seen Tulsi truly angry was when he’d made the mistake of popping her new bra in fifth grade.
“I’m sorry,” Marisol said softly. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Oh, you didn’t,” Mia whispered, cleaning up the cards. “It’s fine. And I think you’re right. It’s time Pike was useful for something other than embarrassing me every time I walk through the grocery checkout and see a picture of him and a supermodel making out on the cover of a magazine.”
Marisol moved out from behind the counter as Mia slid off the top. “I really do think it will be a big money maker if you can sell tickets to a Pike Sherman meet and greet. If not, I have a couple of local celebrities who owe me a favor, but no one who would make as much of a splash as your brother.”
“I’m on it,” Mia said, waving as Marisol and Bubba started toward the door. “Y’all call me later if you get up to anything fun tonight. Sawyer and I want to hang out again before you head back to Austin.”
Bubba glanced down at Marisol with lifted brows, waiting until she gave him the thumbs up before turning back to Mia. “Why don’t you meet us at the Iguana tonight after work. Marisol and I have some news we’d love help celebrating.”
“What kind of news?” Mia asked, leaning over the counter. “Tell me now. Don’t make me wait. You know I hate waiting!”
Bubba laughed as he opened the door to the shop. “See you at five-thirty. Call Ugly Ross, too. I’d like to see him before I head out of town.”
“You suck, Bubba!” Mia called after them as he and Marisol stepped out into the sunshine.
“So you’re going to share the good news tonight?” Marisol took his hand as they started to cross the street, making Bubba smile. He couldn’t believe how much things had changed between them in just a couple of days, but he wasn’t about to complain. “Aren’t you worried it will get back to your family? I know how fast things spread in a small town.”
“I can trust the inner circle not to talk, at least for a few days,” he said. “I’m going to tell Mom and the rest of the family tomorrow night anyway, so…”
Marisol squeezed his hand. “Don’t be nervous. I really think it’s going to be okay.”
Bubba glanced down at her as they started down the tree-lined sidewalk to where the horses were tied, and knew she was right. He would be okay. Even if his family decided this was a betrayal, and needed time to lick their wounds, he would be okay. Because, just like Marisol, he wasn’t doing any of this to hurt anyone, and like her, he had an important new ally on his side.
“Love you,” he said, just to hear it out in the world another time today.
“Love you, too,” she said, looking as giddy to be saying the words as he felt. “We’re going to be one of those couples people can’t stand to have around, aren’t we? The ones who are always gushing all over each other?”
“Oh, I hope so,” Bubba said, with a wiggle of his brows. “The less people want us around, the more time I get to spend alone with you.”
Marisol smiled. “I like the way you think, cowboy.”
“I like it when you call me cowboy in that sexy voice,” he said. “Think we can make it back to the ranch in time for a quickie at the pool before we have to clean up and drive back to meet everyone?”
“If we don’t, we’ll just have to be a little late to supper,” Marisol said with a wink. “Race me once the horses are back on familiar ground?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said as he watched Marisol swing up onto Darcy’s back, silently thanking God for fast horses, beautiful women, and days as perfect as this one.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
It had beena long time since Marisol had walked into a bar holding hands with a man. It had been even longer since she’d done so knowing both of them had wonderful news to celebrate and good friends to help them raise a glass.
She’d told Robert a few days ago that there was never any shortage of people willing to help celebrate, but that wasn’t true. Sure, lots of people will offer halfhearted congratulations, or buy you a beer when you swing into the bar to announce you’ve signed an amazing new client. But most of those people aren’t truly excited for you, and there are just as many who secretly resent your success, and will sit quietly seething while you’re riding high on good news, doing their best to sour your victory with their jealousy.
But Robert’s friends were truly here to share in his joy. When he broke the news about the tour with Wendy Dann, their table broke into shouts of congratulations so loud the rest of the dining room turned to stare before breaking into a round of applause. Not because they knew what the crazy people in the corner were celebrating, but because they knew Mia, Robert, and their friends, and were simply happy to see them happy.
It was a scene from a romantic movie.
The romantic movie that had somehow become her life.
“You okay?” Robert asked, kissing her cheek as he signaled for the waitress to bring them two glasses so they could share in the giant pitcher of margaritas Robert’s friend, Ugly Ross, had ordered for the table.
“I’m great,” Marisol said with a sniff. “Just a little choked up, honestly. Your friends are so great.”
“We are,” Mia said from the opposite side of the table. “Sorry, I was eavesdropping. Bubba, I’m going to step outside and call Tulsi so she can share in the good news. Is that okay? I’ll make sure she knows not to spill the beans to Clem or anyone else until Friday morning.”