it you weren’t going to tell us about the two of you because of the wedding?”
“We were going to wait, yes.”
Nodding, she leans in and kisses my cheek before facing Freddie. “While I’m not happy you’re in trouble, I am grateful you got him good. He deserved it. If you make my daughter happy, you make me happy.”
His anxiety dissipates, and I hear him exhale in relief.
“I’ll wait for you to tell your father, but don’t leave it too long,” she warns before backing up and heading for the door.
“And don’t keep the guys waiting. They’re ready to leave,” she orders Freddie.
The moment she’s gone, I’m being swung around in his arms, and he’s planting kisses on my face.
“Are you happy now?” I ask as he literally takes my breath away.
He puts me back on my feet, but doesn’t let me go. “You have no idea. Now, get gone so I can get ready, or I’ll never leave.”
I go to walk away, but he grabs my arm and pulls me back to him. His mouth lands on mine, and everything around us fades to nothing. This is what a kiss should be like when you’re in love.
A rush of air fills my mouth when he breaks away, and then he’s shoving me toward the door. “Don’t lock your door tonight,” he drawls, but I’ve already got him covered. Sleeping without him beside me now is like trying to swim in a pool without water. It’s empty.
Since the girls aren’t leaving the ranch, I don’t bother changing and head downstairs, finding everyone in the kitchen. My eyes land on my father, and I could cry the moment he smiles at me.
I’m across the room in a flash and in his arms. I love my father immensely, and I’ve missed him so much.
“It’s so good to see you, darling,” he whispers into my hair.
Squeezing him a little tighter, I rest my head against his chest, trying my best to hold back the tears.
“We’ll talk in a moment before the wedding madness begins. As long as you’re okay, it can wait.”
Pulling back, I look up at the man who has always been there for me. “I’m good, Dad.”
“Promise?”
Nodding, I rise up and kiss his cheek before taking a step back. Shot glasses are being banged on the table, and I’m not surprised to see it’s Baz who’s preparing to pour another round.
“There you are,” Dad bellows, drowning out the chants for someone to down a shot. The house is filling up with even more people, and I don’t know the half of them. A lot of guests are booked into hotels and motels around town, and the guys have shown up here to join Damon on his last night of being a single man, which I don’t get. He hasn’t been a single man since he met Alice.
“I was wondering where you were. Get over here.”
I follow Dad’s line of sight. He’s talking to Freddie, hovering in the doorway.
Making his way over, I can tell he’s feeling uncomfortable. He thinks a lot of my dad—all the guys do—and my dad loves each of them like they’re his own children. He was the one who drove them to gigs in their last year of high school, even urging them to take it seriously and make something of themselves.
“Looking forward to the wedding?” Freddie asks him.
“Sure am. Got to make sure my boy gets a ring on her finger before she realises she can do better.”
“Hey!” Damon yells from the group of shot takers, while Alice chuckles.
“He’s done good,” Freddie agrees, darting his eyes to me. I bite down on a smile and turn toward my mother.
“What about you? Have you met anyone yet?”
Oh, God. Freddie’s not going to outright lie to him, but tonight’s not the night to talk about us.
Turning back to their conversation, I say, “Stop being nosey, Dad, you’re here for Damon. You make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble tonight, and I’ll make sure Mom doesn’t drink too much wine and wake up with a headache from hell and ruin her day tomorrow. Otherwise, none of us will hear the last of it.”
“You’re right,” he agrees, and then yells out, “Let’s get going!”
I don’t get a goodbye from Freddie. I would’ve liked one, yes, but I know I’ll see him in a few hours, and we’ll be alone once again.
The guys file out, and Baz makes a return trip for the bottle of tequila sitting on the countertop. “See