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As I made my way through the crowd, I smiled and said hello to everyone. Up at the bar Cord had set up, I grinned at one of Cord’s bartenders.
“Hey, Neil!” I shouted over the music.
“Hey there, Amelia! Want a drink?”
I shook my head. “Just a Diet Coke, if you’ve got it.”
He grinned. “I’ve got it. You should be the one getting toasted, you know? The youngest and all. Not the responsible one.”
Laughing, I took the can and shrugged. “I promised my parents I would keep everything in check.”
He lifted his chin. “Ahh, the parental promise. No wonder Trevor was avoiding his father.”
This time I laughed harder. “Probably!”
“Have fun!” Neil said.
“I will, but hey, Neil, try not to let people get too toasted.”
He gave me a thumbs up. “We have a three-drink rule. Cord put it in place.”
I grinned. “That makes me feel loads better.”
Neil winked. “Your brother is smart enough to know the risks. They’ve even hired someone to make sure that no alcohol is being brought in.”
“Wow. Sure is different from the parties they used to throw in the south pasture!”
This time we both chuckled, and I headed over to the two love birds, Steed and Paxton. I stopped short when I saw Wade talking with Debi Hamilton. Ugh. I couldn’t stand her. She and I graduated the same year. She did everything in high school. Played every sport, slept with all the guys in our class except for my ex, Ryan. Of course, for all I knew, they could have slept together.
I made my way past them, trying not to listen. Or maybe trying to listen.
“You have a beautiful voice, Wade,” Debi purred.
“Well, singing is fun. My true passion is the land. Ranching and farming.”
“But you could make millions with a voice like that.”
I snarled and drank my soda.
“One thing I’ve learned in life is money doesn’t make you happy. Filling your heart with the things that bring out a smile creates true happiness.” His words from the other night hit me square in the chest. I couldn’t help but notice how somber he sounded.
“I think one of my favorite things is to see your smile. It makes me happy.”
I stared at Wade and Debi as Miranda Lambert’s song, “Well-Rested,”’ played.
Something came over me, almost like an out-of-body experience, and I walked up to Wade.
“Will you dance with me?” I asked, hope in my eyes.
His grin nearly knocked me off my feet. “Of course, I will. Excuse me, Debi.”
Wade wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to the dance floor. My chest fluttered at how his voice had changed when he spoke to me. He was happier. His eyes lit up when they moved up my body and focused on my gaze. Setting the Diet Coke on a table, I melted into his body. His arms brought me close, as if he knew the struggle my heart and mind were having with one another.
Neither one of us said a word as we danced. We didn’t two-step—we barely even moved our feet.
His hand moved up my back and pulled me even closer. Each breath I took felt like it was a forced labor, like I was struggling for oxygen, the only thing that could come between our swaying bodies.
“Please talk to me, Amelia.”
My eyes closed at the softness of his voice. I fought to hold back the tears. I had no idea why I was so emotional. Wade Adams brought out feelings in me I’d never experienced in my life.
Lifting my eyes to his, I said, “I’m scared of you, Wade.”
He furrowed his brows and a sadness swept across his face. I didn’t want him to misunderstand, so I continued.
“I’m scared of the feelings I have. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Not even the man I thought I was going to marry.”
The way his face relaxed made me grin slightly.
“Amelia, I feel the same way. Exactly the same way, darlin’.”
My chin trembled and I fought for the strength to tell him exactly how I felt. “I’m realizing that you hold the power to destroy my heart and that scares the daylights out of me.”
His eyes glassed over.
I took a deep breath and let my honest thoughts continue. “I’m struggling between admiring you from afar and falling into your arms and begging you to kiss me.”
Wade cupped my face with his hands, his thumbs sliding across my cheeks, leaving a trail of heat over my skin. My chest rose and fell as a rush of tingles raced through my body.
“What fun would it be if we admired each other from afar? Look but don’t touch? I don’t think I’m that strong around you.”
I gave a small laugh. “But what about Trevor?” I asked, my eyes searching his face.
“I’ve already told him I have feelings for you.”
