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“Wait until you see outside,” I replied.

A host greeted us, and when I said the name on our reservation, he led us through the glass enclosure to a rooftop restaurant, decked out with candlelit tables covered in white tablecloths and rimmed with twinkle lights. From here, we could see all of Dallas and its suburbs.

Farrah covered her mouth with her hands. “I want to remember this forever.”

Looking at her, I knew I would.

“Here you are,” the host said. “A server will be with you shortly.”

“Thank you,” Farrah said, smiling. “Is it okay if we walk around to see the view?”

The host smiled back at her. “Of course.”

She walked to the railing, still several feet back from the edge of the roof, and looked out over the city. The breeze blew her curls back over her bare shoulders, giving me the best view in the house.

I never took photos, ever, but I got out my phone and opened the camera. Just as she glanced back at me, I captured the moment, forever.

“I thought paparazzi weren’t allowed,” she teased.

I turned the camera toward her. “Look how beautiful you are. I couldn’t let it pass.”

Farrah opened her mouth to reply, and then her eyes darted over my shoulder. A voice sounded behind me, “Well I’ll be damned if it isn’t the woman who’s got my brother whipped.”

I turned on Rhett, just in time to see him mimic the whip movement with his hand and make the sound of a cracking whip. Tyler, Henrietta, and Liv walked behind him, eagerly taking in Farrah. I hoped she didn’t feel like an animal in the zoo, even though she’d be in good company with my wild family.

“Farrah, these are my siblings.” I wrapped my arm around her waist. “This, is her.”

40

Farrah

My skin shivered with the way he introduced me. Like they’d spoken of me a million times before. And judging by the smiles on his siblings’ faces, it had been all good things.

Rhett extended his hand, casting a flirty glance my way. “Nice to meet you outside of the meat market, Ms. Farrah.”

I chuckled at him. “Good to see you too.”

Henrietta, a beautiful dark-skinned woman, stepped forward. “I’m Henrietta, but you can call me Hen.” I shook her hand as well, noticing the ring on her finger. “I love your wedding ring. It’s gorgeous.”

Her smile was so wide and genuine as she held her hand to her chest. “I’m in love with it—almost as much as the man who gave it to me.”

The guy slightly behind her kissed her temple and then extended his hand. “I’m Tyler.” Of the three, he looked the most like Gage, except where Gage had dark blond hair, Tyler was brunette. He looked slick in slacks and a button-up shirt, with less of a western flare than what Rhett wore.

A curvy woman beside Rhett smiled and brushed light brown hair behind her ear. “I’m Liv. And I apologize in advance for anything my brothers say. Especially this one.” She pointed her thumb toward Rhett, who grabbed her wrist and tried to bite it.

I was already smiling at the banter between them. It was clear how much they all loved each other, and I could already see why Gage cared so much for them.

“It’s so nice to meet y’all,” I said. “Gage says the best things about you. It makes me wish I had siblings too.”

Liv said, “So you’re an only child? Living out my lifelong dream.”

Rhett elbowed her gently, and she winked. “Can we sit down? I could go for a margarita.”

“Oh my gosh, same,” I said.

Hen grinned at me. “You’re going to fit right in.”

We walked back to the table, and Gage held a chair out for me, the perfect gentleman. And then I realized Tyler was doing the same for Hen, and Rhett followed suit with Liv. They all had such great manners, I knew I had to meet the woman who raised these men. She’d done something right to have such incredible, welcoming, warm children.