Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Everyone in town knew how that dance worked. It was special to my mother, and the fact that Claire was asking pissed me off. “If you’ll excuse me, Claire, I need to get to my seat.”
“Of course. Have a good evening!” she called out to me as I walked away.
By the time I’d made it into the tent where all of the tables were set up, I was in a foul mood. The idea of sitting on the sidelines had never bothered me before, so I had no clue why tonight it was grating on my nerves.
As I walked toward the family table, I saw her.
Harley.
She was walking with Paxton, and they were both laughing. Harley was glancing down at the name plates as she walked around one table. My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest when I didn’t see Toby next to her.
Steed walked by, and I grabbed him by the arm. “Steed, wait.”
He looked at me and then over to Paxton and Harley.
“Shit, how fucking lucky am I?” he stated as he gazed at his wife with a look that screamed he was head over heels in love.
I smiled. “Paxton looks beautiful.”
“So does Harley.”
He slapped me on the back. “I bet you’re glad she’s here alone.”
My head jerked to the side. “What do you mean she’s here alone?”
The corners of his mouth pulled into a smirk. “You don’t know?”
I balled my fists to keep from grabbing him and shaking the fuck out of him. “No, Steed, please enlighten me.”
“Dude, Paxton said Harley told Toby things wouldn’t work out between the two of them.”
There was no way I could hide the stupid ass smile on my face. “Did she say why?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to ask her. But don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of chances, especially since Mom moved her seat next to yours.”
With a wink, he bumped me with his shoulder and made his way to Paxton. I quickly followed.
“Hey beautiful. Let me escort you to your seat,” Steed said to his wife. When Paxton looked at me, she gave me a knowing look. She knew where Harley was sitting but was playing along.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Paxton said, giving Harley a quick hug. When they both walked away, I let my eyes finally get a good look at the woman I loved.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the room, Harley Carbajal.”
Her cheeks flushed and all the blood ran straight to my dick.
“And look at you, Mr. Parker. You look quite handsome this evening.” Her eyes roamed my body before her eyes met mine. When her tongue licked across her lips, I nearly pulled her into me for a kiss.
“May I show you to your seat?” I asked, extending my arm.
She looked confused, and then glanced over my shoulder and around the room. “Um…sure. That would be great since I can’t seem to find it.”
When her hand slid across my arm, my body shook with anticipation. Just having her this close had my cock pressing against my zipper, begging to come out and play.
I guided her to the family table.
“Tripp, that’s your table.”
Ignoring her, I stopped and leaned down to kiss Amelia on the cheek. “I haven’t had the chance to tell you how beautiful you look this evening, Meli.”
Her eyes swung from me to a very confused Harley. “Thank you, but I dare say, Harley seems to have captured every eye in the room.”
Harley’s hand gripped my arm tighter, and I saw her looking around.
We started walking, but only long enough to stop and kiss Aunt Vi. “Aunt Vi, as usual, you’re the hottest woman in the room.”
“Damn straight I am,” she replied with a wink.
I spied the two empty chairs. I knew they were for me and Harley.
“Tripp,” Harley said, pulling my arm back to get me to stop walking. “Tripp, those seats belong to you and…”
I cut her off before she said Mallory’s name.
“Waylynn, you’re breathtaking.” Leaning down, I kissed my sister who was attempting not to laugh. I could see Harley looking around the room for what I could only guess was Mallory.
“Why, thank you, little brother. I would say you’re the most dashing man in the room, but my husband holds that honor.”
Jonathon chuckled.
I gave her a wink. “I’ll let that slide this one time.”
Harley was still pulling on me as I practically dragged her to the two seats. I found my mother staring at us as I came to a stop in front of the name tags. One read Tripp Parker. The other, Harley Carbajal. I narrowed my eyes at my mother. She flashed me a dimpled grin and then blew me a kiss. God, I loved that woman as much as the woman who was on my arm right now.