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“Press?”
“Yes,” I said over my shoulder, wondering why she was following me rather than hanging on my brother’s every syllable.
“Can you please stop?”
A few more paces, and I would’ve been close enough to give my regards to the newly married couple. Instead, I turned around. “Yes?” I repeated.
“You didn’t mention you were leaving when we spoke earlier.”
“Right. During the ceremony, it occurred to me I was missing one of my mum’s favorite traditions.”
“What?” Was I imagining the look of panic in her eyes? Luisa had no reason to worry. She would be well protected here on the ranch. I took a step closer, intending to reassure her, but once again, my brother interrupted.
“Boxing Day,” he responded.
Luisa looked from Beau to me. “That’s one of your mother’s favorite traditions?”
“Perhaps you can explain why,” I said, clapping my brother on the back. “If you remember.”
I turned on my heel without looking him or Luisa in the eye. Yes, I was irritated, and I had no intention of confessing why.
“Press and Zin,” said Seraphina, embracing me first, then him.
“Best wishes to you,” I said. “You look stunning, by the way.” I turned to Ridge, and we also embraced. “You’re a very lucky man, my friend. Yours is truly a ‘love match,’ to quote the historical romance series that seems to be all the rage.”
Seraphina put her hand on my arm. “You were kind to indulge my sister by watching every episode with her. I doubt most men would have.” She laughed. “Or women.”
I chuckled, wondering what she’d think if I told her we’d also started reading books together by the same author whose works had inspired the series.
My eyes met Zin’s, and he smirked. He’d given me quite a ribbing for it when he arrived one evening to find Luisa and me enthralled in the series. It hadn’t been all bad. I had to admit I enjoyed watching Luisa’s reactions to the sex scenes that were far more graphic than I’d anticipated. At first, I’d been concerned they might trigger an unpleasant memory. However, they had the opposite effect on her. It appeared to turn her on as much as it did me.Notsomething I could think about at the moment, though.
“As I was saying, congratulations, Ridge. I envy you.” I hadn’t intended to say the last bit aloud, but there it was. The words hung heavy in our mutual silence.
“Thanks, Press.” He squeezed my shoulder, no doubt correctly assuming my comment related to Luisa.
I cleared my throat. “I wanted to let you know I’ll be leaving in the morning to spend the day with my parents.”
“I’m sorry we took you away from them on Christmas.” Seraphina’s eyes were downcast.
I shook my head. “You were kind enough to ask prior to scheduling the wedding. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say there isn’t anywhere we’d rather be.”
“I’m glad you’re sticking around to celebrate with us, at least,” said Ridge.
“Speaking of which, let’s get this party started,” said Zin.
He and I were on our way into the tent where the festivities would take place when I heard someone shout my name. Not “Press,” as everyone called me, but Lavery, my given first name. I clasped my hands behind my back and slowly turned around. When my gaze settled on Luisa, I raised a brow.
She stalked toward me, wearing heels and attempting to stomp her feet on the grass. Once within a foot of me, she folded her arms. “Why are you avoiding me?”
I grinned. “I’m hardly avoiding you, pet.”
She bristled at the term of endearment she’d told me more than once she didn’t care for. However, I was in no mood to indulge her.
“When will you be back?” she asked in a voice far less accusatory than it had been with her last question. The other tell of her distress was that she was biting her lip.
“Back? If you mean when will I return to Tryst’s ranch, I don’t intend to do so. At least not in the immediate future.”
“But…”
