Page 42 of Where She Belongs

“Yeah. Oh.”

His sister waved a hand through the air. “Well, plans change.”

He huffed out a laugh. He very much doubted Rylee would agree.

“We’ll just have to make sure those plans change,” Faith amended. “Oh, Rylee…” she sang, moving across the room toward her. “I think what you need is a girls’ night out. What do you say? Come hang with us and get to know the people in Rocky Ridge better.”

Rylee cut a look at Tate. “I’m actually cooking lasagna right now.”

“Even better!” Wendy insisted. “We’ll get Serenity and Kat out here with some salad and garlic bread and make a night of it.”

Tate offered Rylee a reassuring smile. She hadn’t exactly invited him for dinner. This would be good for her no matter how much he wanted to stay. “I’ll catch you later.”

She opened her mouth as if to protest but he shook his head and mouthed, tomorrow. Rylee nodded and lifted her pinky. He chuckled and she laughed as the women dragged her toward the kitchen.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Free-for-all.

An absolute, wall-to-wall mess.

Rylee was used to large crowds. The parties she was asked to attend with Roxy in New York had prepared her for the spotlight like nothing else ever could.

And yet, this was different.

The women all knew each other intimately. It was the one named Sammie who sidled up beside Rylee as Hallie and Wendy spoke animatedly about one of their husbands. “We’re all married to a big group of cousins.”

Rylee’s mouth dropped open and her eyes swept through the room. There were so many of them.

Sammie laughed. “Well, we’re all related to one family in particular. Some of us are on the guy’s side of the family and the rest are on his wife’s side. It’s a whole lot to get used to, believe me.”

Rylee nodded. “I believe it.”

“No siblings?”

Shaking her head, Rylee reached for a grape tomato and popped it into her mouth. “It was just my dad and me…” she trailed off and tried not to tear up over the memory of losing him. “But I spent a lot of time with Tate and Jason when I was younger.”

Hallie seemed to perk up at that statement. “I knew something was going on with him. He’s been off lately.”

“Off?” Rylee asked.

Faith sliced a dismissive hand through the air. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. He’s just been having to deal with a lot. Always has. It’s about time he’s found someone.”

Rylee’s face flushed so hot she nearly darted from the room. “I’m not… We’re not…” The warmth spread everywhere and pulsed beneath her skin. “Really, we’re just friends.”

Wendy snorted. “Yeah right. What was he doing here anyway? I’ve only ever seen him work. He’s too busy for social calls.”

“Leave the girl alone,” Serenity said, amused. “You’re going to scare her off and then what will happen? You won’t want to be on Tate’s bad side.”

“Oh whatever. Tate doesn’t scare me.” Hallie flashed Rylee a wide smile. “He’s just a big softy anyway, right?”

Rylee blinked. She hadn’t seen any sign of Tate being more than just a sweetheart. Okay, there was that first night when he’d been a little stiff, but then he’d warmed right up to her. “He’s always been sweet,” she hedged.

The room went deathly quiet. All eyes turned to her, and her mouth went dry, and nothing came to her. Would Tate be upset if she told these women about their… friendship? Relationship? Situationship?

Yeah, that one sounded about right.

As one, the women in the room seemed to link their minds together and ooohs rang out.