I don’t flinch. I don’t even look at him. “I don’t like a scene, but don’t think I won’t lay your ass out right here, asshole,” I grumble, my voice low as I keep thinking about Molly. Do I really not care to have something with her? I catch a glimpse of her smiling brightly as she talks to Uncle Bert on the dance floor and shift my eyes away, just for the sake of being able to finish a single thought out loud. “But it’s about so much more. Think about why we live and work here.”
Our family has always believed in enjoying what this land has to offer while protecting it the way it is.
He nods absently, and he’s likely thinking back to another time where he wasn’t so sure about that. Regardless, he humors me. “Yeah… I know.” Thankfully, his expression falls into one of solemn acceptance. Just as quickly, though, it shifts to one of high alert. “Speaking of which…” He juts his chin to the other side of the room.
Damen Fucking Riley stands near the hallway that leads to the kitchen, his hands in the pockets of his pretentious grey slacks and cold, calculating eyes panning the room.
“What the fuck is he doing here?”
“What the fuck do youthinkhe’s doing?”
“Did you invite him? Because I swear to God…”
“Do you think I’m that dense? There was no guest list, alright? No one fucking invited him but think about it—he wasn’t above showing up at her house and trying to hassle her. He said he was going to get her land one way or another.” Hawk is ticking his points off on his fingers now. “He didn’t exactly believe you when you told him you were marrying her?—”
“But Ididmarry her,” I point out, cutting him off.
“Looks like he’s determined to prove the marriage is a sham then. So you better show him that he’s barking up the wrong tree. And not only that, but you better make the whole town believe it because you know he’s going to sniff out every nook and cranny he can, looking for any kind of chink in your armor.”
“Fuck,” I grumble under my breath. He’s right.
Trying to concentrate in a room this full of people and the variety of sounds makes it hard to form a single thought, let alone a plan. I’m turning this way and that and rubbing my palms together, trying to distract from it all when Uncle Bert walks up, squeezing in the space between Hawk and me.
As if my brain needed more auditory input, he speaks right at my ear as a vaguely familiar song filters over the speaker.
“Be a shame to let that sweet little thing miss out on a chance at real love,” he imparts. I take in his words as I look over at Molly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she smiles and nods at Dana as she talks at her. He doesn’t wait for an answer as he signals to Vanessa for his usual before turning back to me. “It’s your parents’ song. Go dance with your girl.”
The familiar notesof the song draw me closer and closer to childhood memories, but they settle in the background when I find Molly on the other side of the room, I’ve got panic and anger duking it out with my usual anxiety, leaving me with little control over my actions. “Come dance with me,” I say, abruptly leaning into her, not meaning for it to come out so curt. Surprisingly though, she nods, following me.
When I find a spot with enough space, I turn to her and remind myself to relax. “He’s here,” I say. “Riley.”
“What?” The word is a faint gasp as she looks around for the dipshit.
“Try to relax and act like we’re just a regular couple who just got married.” I try to reach for her wrists, but she’s not done freaking out.
“Why would he be here? Who invited him?” She fires off her questions with her forehead creased.
“Smile at me,” I command, getting frustrated. She has a right to be pissed and freaked out, but if he sees us tense and arguing he’ll probably come to his own conclusions.
“How can I smile right now?—”
“Because he’swatching.Now come here.” I wrap her arms around my neck and tighten my hold on her. “We’ve got to get that fuckwad off our backs.” She relaxes slightly, bringing me satisfaction.
“Myback,” she corrects me, talking to my shoulder.
Her breath is warm through my shirt. It sends a small tingle swirling down to my chest, and I wish I could allow myself half a second to enjoy it, but the apprehension that we’re about to blow this is taking over. “Just look at me,” I insist, and when she obliges, I look straight into her eyes for just a beat before letting my gaze shift to just above them – an old habit I picked up long ago. “Ourbacks.” I squeeze her hips for emphasis. “No matter how this came about, we’re in this together now. Feelings or not, we are married, and we need to be a team.” When she doesn’t respond, I dare to let my eyes drift back to hers. They seem to soften as she takes this in, so I add, "Just smile and look like you’re in love.”
“Youlook like you’re in love,” her eyes widen in challenge.
“Touche,” I quip back, surprising myself. I try to find a focal point in this room that’s not someone’s eyes which is proving difficult with so many people here.
I don’t even get a chance before Bert cruises by with Dana and says, “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure two people who just got married should look pretty damn happy about it, not constipated.”
Dana giggles, and he whisks her away, clearly just a drive by.
“God, are we fucking this up that badly?” Molly looks worried.
“No, it’s probably all me. I seriously don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in love before, and I don’t know how to sell this,” I confess.
