In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) - Jennifer Peel Page 0,94

faced our unimpressed audience. I bit my lip while Brock took my hand and kissed it. “Give a guy a break. I’ve been away from my wife for weeks.”

I noticed now how Brock called me his wife whenever he could. It still sounded strange to me. Not to say I didn’t like it—I just needed to get used to it.

Sebastian waved his hand. “Eh, regrettable, but we can’t be swayed.”

“Survey says—get a room,” Max added, making Brant and Sebastian laugh.

“Great idea.” Brock gave me a smoldering smile, making my cheeks burn red.

I pushed on his rock-hard chest. He had obviously been able to work out at the treatment center. “I think we should eat some pie,” I stuttered. I wasn’t ready for that step yet.

Brock recognized my obvious discomfort and rested his hand on my blazing hot cheek. “We’ll eat as much pie as you want.”

I translated that into, “Take all the time you need.” I nodded, grateful, before reaching for a slice of the pumpkin cheesecake Ariana had brought.

The conversation shifted to more awkward topics. Max and Sebastian were in awe of Brant. Which wasn’t a bad thing at all, except it meant poor Brant had to put on more than a fake politician smile. He had to mask the pain of giving up his life’s work.

“Dude, we tell everyone at school that we know you.” Sebastian talked with his mouth full of apple pie.

“We want to campaign for you, even though we don’t live in Colorado.” Max was eagerly dishing up a second piece of chocolate cream pie after inhaling the last piece in two bites.

Brant swallowed down his bite of pie and faced his admirers with grace. “That means the world to me. What I would love to know is, What issues concern you and your friends most?”

I wanted to reach across the table and hold Brant’s hand. Instead, I watched in awe at how he spoke to Max and Sebastian as if they were his equals; how he listened to them, not to respond, but to internalize what they saw as problems in society. Their fears about the future. Well, not them so much as their peers who didn’t come from a wealthy background. I was amazed at how thoughtful Ariana’s younger brothers could be. Brant’s thoughtfulness didn’t surprise me at all. Nor did his courage.

Dessert and dinner were done before I knew it. Normally, I loved to linger at the dinner table after such a wonderful meal and chat with those I loved most; today I found all I wanted to do was be alone with Brock. I had so many questions. Yet I also longed to be held by him and not say a word. Unfortunately, I had to employ patience. We always cleaned up together as a family, and then we played Ariana’s game of car hide-and-go-seek. Brock was definitely going to be my partner. Hopefully we wouldn’t be the seekers first and we could find the perfect hiding spot where no one would find us.

Brant pushed back from the table. “I hate to eat and run, but I have some things to attend to.” He gave Brock a meaningful look.

I would have to ask Brock what things meant later.

“Dani, can you make sure Brock gets home safely?” he teased me.

“I can probably manage that; I’ll order an Uber for him,” I playfully responded.

Brock didn’t think it was all that funny and pulled me onto his lap. “Uber?” He nuzzled my neck.

“We’re out of here.” Sebastian popped up.

“I would rather do the dishes than watch this.” Max followed him.

I giggled and shivered while Brock’s stubbled cheeks assaulted my neck in the very best way. “Fine, I’ll take you home.”

Brant gave us a sad smile before covertly catching a glance of Kinsley and Tristan clearing the “adult” table together. I wanted to tell him that he would find someone who would make him ridiculously happy one day, but he didn’t give me the chance.

“I’ll see you later.” He walked off without another word and headed straight for Grandma to give her a hug and say thank you before he left. I noticed how Kinsley quickly glanced Brant’s way as he walked out the door. I could see in her eyes the goodbye. She was letting go. That was good.

“I feel bad,” I said for Brock’s ears only.

“Don’t. I’ll fill you in when we’re alone.”

Alone. I needed time with my husband.

Brock must have had the same idea as me—the quicker we cleaned up, the quicker