Page 41 of Blue Jean Summer

But it wasn’t. It was clearly bothering him, and that bothered me.

“We can trust her. She won’t say anything to Lewis or anyone in town.”

Hayes’s reply was curt. “I know. I said it’s fine.”

“But you’re upset.”

He sighed. “I just wasn’t expecting other people to find out is all. I have a lot at stake here.”

Great. He was already mad at me, and we had barely been engaged for five minutes.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” he said, but his tone sounded dismissive as he went back to filling his plate.

I let out a caustic laugh. “Clearly I do because you’re still bothered by it,” I muttered under my breath as Zach passed us by.

Hayes looked over his shoulder. “I’m not bothered, Catie.”

Well, now I was.

We took our places at the table. Hayes sat at the head while I took the seat to his right. Forks clicked and knives scraped against the porcelain plates as everyone dove in. Curious eyes darted between the two of us, but no one dared to call us out on the obvious tension.

Hayes chewed his pork chop like it disappointed him, and I stabbed each and every green bean with vengeance.

“Don’t tell me you two need marriage counseling already,” Levi joked as he scooped up the last crumbs of dinner while the rest of us were just taking our first bites.

I steeled my expression while Hayes stared at his plate.

“I think you two make a good match,” Mason said out of the blue.

“When are you gonna finally let a woman make an honest man out of you?” Savannah quipped to Mason.

Hallie suddenly became utterly fascinated with her plate. At least the attention was off Hayes and me.

I let a silent breath slip and tried to let go of some of the irritation. Something brushed my leg as I reached for my glass of tea. I glanced down and found Hayes’s hand on my thigh. His eyes met mine as he gave it a squeeze. They were softer than before, and the knot inside my chest began to unfurl.

“You ready for school to be out?” Mason asked Zach.

Zach just shrugged. “I guess.”

Hallie’s expression tightened. “Please use your manners with Mr. Bishop.”

Zach flicked his gaze up, making eye contact with Mason for a fleeting moment. “Yes, sir.”

“Got any plans?” Mason asked.

Zach shook his head.

Hallie glanced at me, sharing her silent frustration.

Her attention was diverted when Mason gave her a reassuring smile. “Best meal I’ve ever had. You outdid yourself, Hal.”

Hallie’s spirit lifted as the rest of us nodded, echoing the praise.

“Doesn’t look like there are many leftovers,” Savannah said as she peered over at the remnants on the island.

Hallie chuckled. “Well. Thank y’all for humoring me and coming up for dinner. But the dishes wait for no one.”