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“But you are now?”
“Yes.” It’s been two months since the photo shoot, and I can honestly say it’s been the happiest time of my life. Deacon is sexy and bossy, but not in a controlling kind of way. He’s thoughtful and considerate, and I’ve fallen head over heels in love with him. I’m not sure when it happened, but it did. I almost told him last night, but I chickened out. It’s not that I don’t want him to know, but I don’t know if he feels the same, and not hearing it back would crush my soul.
“You’re in love with him.” It’s not a question. Palmer knows me better than anyone, well, other than Deacon.
Tears well in my eyes. Not because I don’t want her to know, but because she’s right, and this will be the first time I’ve been able to admit it out loud. “I am.”
“You know that he loves you too, right?” she asks.
“I’m not sure, but he’s good to me.”
Palmer’s eyes soften. “That’s how a man is supposed to treat a woman, Rams.” Now it’s not just me who has tears in my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Deacon asks, handing me a bottle of water.
“Nothing.” I offer him a watery smile.
“Then why the shimmering eyes, baby?” he asks softly.
“Just telling Palmer how blessed I feel to have you be a part of my life.”
He swallows hard before his lips find mine. The kiss is soft, but it’s still potent enough to have me wishing we could call it a night and head back to his place or mine. I’m not picky. “I’m the lucky one,” he says, pulling out of the kiss.
“Palmer? Deacon? Hey. It’s so good to see you.” A woman, who appears to be a few years older than me, leans in and hugs Palmer and then Deacon while his arm is still wrapped around me. She gives him a one-armed hug. “How have y’all been?” she asks.
“Good. It’s been forever. How are you?” Palmer asks her.
“Doing good. I actually just moved back to town.”
“You were living in Indiana, right?” Palmer asks.
“Yes. I moved there for college and got a job at the local hospital right out of school as a radiology tech. When a spot opened up in Harris, I jumped at the chance to apply. I got the job, so I moved home. Sorry, I’m rambling. How’s Piper?”
“She’s good. Still working at the elementary school. She teaches fourth grade.”
“That’s great. How about you?” the newcomer asks Palmer.
“I started my own photography business. I have a small studio in Willow River. Captured Moments.” Palmer’s smile is one of pride, as it should be.
“That’s awesome.” She turns toward Deacon. “The last time I talked to Piper, she told me you were an attorney.”
“I am,” Deacon replies. “I work in Willow River too at Patrick and Gordman.”
She nods before turning her attention to me. “Hi, I’m Jade.” She thrusts her hand to me.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ramsey.”
“My girlfriend,” Deacon adds.
“You going to let me beat your ass on the track?” Orrin asks, stepping up to our little group. He stops when he sees Jade. He stares at her for a few minutes. Something flashes in his eyes, but he quickly masks it and turns to his best friend. “You in?”
“Yeah. Babe, you want to race?” Deacon asks me.
“I think I’ll sit this one out.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” He leans in and kisses me before walking away with Orrin.
“Damn,” Palmer mutters. “That was hot.”
“Stop.” I laugh at her.
“Oh, yeah, I mean, we all know Deacon is in love with you, but I was talking about Orrin. Did you see the fuck-me eyes he was giving you?” she asks Jade.
“He was not.” Jade waves her off. I don’t miss the tint to her cheeks. “How long have you and Deacon been together?” she asks me, clearly changing the subject.
“A couple of months.”
“He seems smitten.” Jade smiles.
“He’s not the only one,” I reply.
“Come on. Let’s go watch these men pretend to be boys.” Palmer links an arm through mine and Jade’s and leads us to the viewing room for the go-kart track.
“That was fun. I’m glad we did it,” I tell Deacon.
“I’m glad we went too. It was nice to see everyone.” He leads me into the house from the garage, through the mudroom into the kitchen. “You want something to drink? Are you hungry?”
“I’m good. It was nice to have a weekend night off.”
“I’m glad you talked to Hank, and he was able to make it happen.”
“Me too. I’ve actually been thinking about my job and my degree a lot the last few weeks. Well, since you asked me if I could choose what I would do,” I tell him, following him into the living room. He takes a seat on the couch and pulls me down onto his lap.
