touched hers, then they wouldn’t make it to lunch at all. To teach Trent a lesson, she put on her most enticing outfit—a short dress made of soft black silk with a ruffle across the bust and a tie at the waist that always made her feel like a million dollars.
Trent let out a long, low whistle as she slipped a pair of flat sandals onto her feet. “Maybe I shouldn’t take you out for lunch after all.”
“Too much?”
“I’m worried you’ll give everyone in town whiplash and then we’ll have a class action on our hands.”
They walked out to the car, teasing each other and holding hands. Trent agreed not to blindfold her but still wouldn’t give up what he planned for lunch. It wasn’t until they turned down a familiar street that a knot formed in Cora’s stomach.
“We’re having lunch at your parents’ house?” She blinked. This was not what she’d expected.
She’d had a very brief introduction to Mr. and Mrs. Walters the day they’d almost been caught getting photos for the album, but Trent had whisked her away before they had time to talk much. Now he was bringing her back. Was this an “official” introduction to the parents? They hadn’t talked about where this thing between them was heading, but it seemed…serious.
After all, you didn’t introduce a fling to your parents.
“Trust me,” he said. It was a weird echo of the thoughts that had been swirling in her head back at the house. Did you trust a fling?
This isn’t a fling and you know it.
But if it wasn’t that, and yet it wasn’t a real relationship…then what was it? Cora felt a panicky feeling take hold of her chest, squeezing like a fist determined to crush the air in her lungs. She wasn’t ready for this.
Hell, she’d chosen the wrong damn dress. It was too short and too sexy and too silky. Oh my God, they’d probably think she was some big-city floozy, flashing her legs all over their quaint small town.
Calm down. One, this isn’t Victorian England. There’s nothing wrong with showing off your legs. Two, it’s lunch. You can handle lunch.
“Cora.” Trent laid a hand on her arm. “Stop freaking out. I promise you’ll have a good time.”
Why was he doing this? She wasn’t ready for other people to know her business again.
“I don’t know about this.” She shook her head. “I…”
“I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” When he said things like that, with such clarity and such resonance, it made her heart flutter. Trent made her feel so seen. So important. “Please trust me.”
She nodded. “I do trust you.”
When she said the words aloud, she knew it was true. Trent hadn’t done anything but good things for her, so why would he turn into an asshole now?
“Good.” His smile was like pure sunshine. “Come on, then.”
They got out of the car, and Cora forced herself not to tug at her dress. The breeze swirled the hem around her thighs, and her loose hair ruffled around her shoulders. Trent’s parents would have to take her as she came.
He jabbed at the doorbell, but when no one came to greet them immediately, he stuck his key into the lock. The door popped open, and he motioned for her to go ahead of him. The entry was quiet, without a sound of life inside. She’d expected something—music or footsteps or the clatter of dishes in the kitchen. But the place was silent as a tomb.
“Go ahead,” Trent said, closing the door behind them. “Dad’s probably asleep in the lounge.”
Her sandals slapped against the tiled floor, echoing eerily in the house. What on earth was going on?
She rounded the corner, with Trent close behind, and all of a sudden there was a booming surprise! Cora shrieked, startled at the sudden noise. A dozen smiling faces shouted her name and cheered, blowing party horns and clapping. A shiny silver banner displaying the words Happy Birthday hung across the wall. Cora spotted the cricket team, Trent’s parents, and a few new faces as well as a collection of adorable black puppies.
“Oh my gosh.” Her head swung to Trent. “How did you know?”
She hadn’t said a word to him. Hadn’t wanted to make a big deal.
“I overheard you talking to Liv. This is a party to make up for all the ones you never had as a kid.” He slipped an arm around her shoulder. “It’s a proper kid’s birthday party. We have Aussie party food, a jumping castle, and