Page 28 of No Place Like Home (Orlinda Valley #3)

Rowan

T revor and I were getting last minute things together at Jerry’s Pub for the rehearsal dinner, which we would have to leave for in less than an hour.

“Nico,” Trevor said, “Carter will be here soon to man the bar, and Shannon and Barb are working the front. We’re heading to the rehearsal.”

“Got it,” Nico answered, giving us a thumbs up before getting back to his work.

We got the van loaded with the food and drinks, then hopped into the front seat. It was about a thirty-minute drive to the Warfield property, so I got comfortable and found some decent music on the radio.

After we’d been on the road for a while and I had relaxed and was enjoying the music, Trevor interrupted the vibe.

“So, dude, I’ve been keeping out of it for a while, but what exactly is going on between you and Summer?

She admitted to the girls yesterday that you two were an item, but she told you she wanted to keep things quiet. ”

A wicked grin filled my face. The things going on between me and Summer were hotter than I’d ever fantasized, and damn, my fantasies were awesome.

If I had any future say in our relationship, the quiet, incognito shit she’d been forcing on us was going to change—and soon.

I couldn’t keep hiding us from the world forever.

I’d wanted her for ages, and now I wanted to show her off.

I watched the countryside pass by before I spoke. “Well, we’re a couple, but you know Summer. She’s too insecure to take it out in the open right now.”

“Maybe it’s better that way. Aren’t you leaving next week to go back to Texas for that interview? What if they offer you that job?”

I shook my head. “I’m going to the interview, but if they offer me a job in Texas, I’m not taking it. They have an office in Nashville, so I’m going to ask if they have any openings there. I don’t want to leave this place. This is home, man. I was gone for too long. I want to stay.”

Trevor glanced quickly at me before putting his eyes back on the road. “And?” he asked.

I chuckled under my breath. He knew me too well. “And, I don’t want to leave her again. Being away from her never worked for me.”

Trevor eyed me for a few seconds longer this time. “Have you told her that yet? When she was talking about it yesterday, she acted like it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Shit. You know Summer. She can’t admit her feelings to anybody, and she acts like nothing bothers her. But I think she feels more for me than she’s willing to admit. She should be happy that I don’t want to go.”

“If you’re sure. ”

I glanced at him through narrowed eyes. “Why wouldn’t I be sure? Don’t hold back, man. What do you want to say?”

Trevor took a right turn and shook his head. “Like you said, I know Summer. I’ve also been here while you haven’t. She has a way of ensuring she’s never happy. It’s like her superpower.”

“Keeping herself miserable is a superpower?”

“Every relationship she’s been in has turned toxic. She has the ability to make the good things rotten.”

Fire erupted in my gut. I knew what he was talking about, and yes, she did seem to always turn things into a hot mess. “Maybe she hasn’t met the right guy for her. Once she does, her superpower will change. Trust me. She has some superpowers that are made for good.”

Our discussion finally ended as we pulled up in front of a big metal gate with a W on it. We pushed the intercom button, and the gates opened.

I’d never been here before, but damn it must have been nice to grow up on a gated property.

We wound our way up the driveway lined on one side with rose bushes and a tree line on the other.

The main house soon came into view—and what a view it was.

“Fuck,” I said. “No wonder Diane’s granddaughter goes to a private school. ”

“No shit. I knew they had money, but damn,” Trevor agreed.

We made our way to the back of the property where the Warfields had a pavilion and barn specifically for outdoor events. This was where the wedding was going to be.

Trevor pulled up and we climbed out of the van. Wow. I did a three-sixty, and the gorgeous views of hills, houses, barns, and fields of horses and cattle went on forever in every direction .

The wedding coordinators met us, and we helped them unload the food and kegs. After that, I had to go find Susie, so I left Trevor with them and headed to the pavilion, which was already set up with tables in long lines and a dance floor in the center.

Susie was on the other end of the pavilion, talking with an older lady. I walked in their direction. “Hey, the food’s been delivered. Is there anything else you need help with?”

“Hi Rowan,” Susie greeted me. “This is Annette. She’s the head coordinator and will be our go-to person if we need anything or have any questions.”

I shook Annette’s hand. She was a pretty woman, with blonde hair cut just below her shoulders.

She wore a black skirt with a white button up blouse, and crazy-high heels.

How the hell could women walk in those things?

“Nice to meet you,” I said. “I hope I don’t become too big of a pain tomorrow.

I have no clue how I’m going to help them with anything. ”

She laughed. “Don’t worry about bothering me.

That’s what I get paid for. Making sure everything goes off perfectly is my job, and with y’all being friends of the Warfields, things need to be even more perfect than usual.

” She inclined her head toward the other end of the pavilion.

“The rehearsal must be over. Excuse me.”

My gaze went automatically to the group that was coming through the opening.

They were led by Kora and Kai, but I fixed immediately on Summer.

I couldn’t tell what she said, but with her body language and attitude that emanated from her, I was sure Jamison and Lance said something to piss her off.

That was my girl. All sass and sarcasm. My blood warmed and pooled in areas it didn’t need to be—well, not now, at least. Finally, her eyes caught mine and I winked. She answered it with a soft smile .

That smile meant more to me here amongst our friends than anything else.

“Why don’t you go say hi instead of gawking at her,” Susie said.

“I’m not gawking,” I said.

Susie laughed. “Okay, keep on believing that.” She walked away as the wedding party assembled at the head of the line for dinner. They went through the buffet line first, followed by the family, which included me, Kora’s dad and my mom, Susie, and Terry. Everyone else followed.

I sat at an empty seat next to Summer. Susie, Trevor, Bryson, Darlene, Kora, and Kai sat with us.

As we ate, we laughed over high school memories, making sure Kai knew he wasn’t marrying the perfect Orlinda Valley princess the town made Kora out to be. She, Summer, and Darlene had been into all sorts of mischief when they were younger, but got away with almost everything.

During the meal and discussion, my hand was never far from Summer’s thigh. Every now and then she would cover it with hers and give it a squeeze. That simple touch sent sparks shooting throughout my body. I held her gaze for a brief second, and the desire to kiss her lips burned deep.

“Rowan,” Trevor said, pulling my attention from Summer—for the moment, at least. “Do you remember that one time when we were at the river, tubing? You were dating some girl, I don’t remember who.

I could never keep them straight.” He swiped his hand through the air at me when I glared at him.

“Anyway, you had this huge fight, and she started screaming and went ballistic?”

“I remember that,” Darlene said. “She was Sara. She didn’t like how little attention she was getting. ”

“Oh yeah,” Kora added, her eyes wide. “She was pissed because Rowan and Summer were off in their own little world, alone. I guess we’ll never know what they were doing.” She smirked at us impishly.

Summer looked at Kora, her eyes narrowed. “We weren’t doing anything. He was teaching me how to skip rocks. Trying to help me finally figure it out.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “It didn’t work.”

She shrugged and her hand left mine to pick up her drink. “I’ve gotten better over the years.”

“You’ve gotten better at a lot of things over the years,” I said. Our eyes locked, and I couldn’t help it. I reached over and dragged my fingers across her cheek. “We both have,” I added.

Her gaze seared into me and my heart skipped a beat. Then she leaned in, and our lips met. My eyes bulged wide, caught off-guard by her sudden willingness to show affection in public, but I quickly regained my composure and kissed her back eagerly.

It was a soft kiss, an amazing kiss, and it broke all her rules.

I slid my hand behind her head and twined my fingers in her hair, holding her there, not wanting this to end. The noise in the pavilion ceased to exist. I don’t know if it was because everyone was stunned into silence at what they were witnessing, or if the world fell away in that moment.

It didn’t matter. She’d kissed me in front of our friends here at the table.

Finally, she broke away and held my gaze for a brief second, then winked. “There,” she whispered. “Are you happy now? Everyone knows. ”

My heart slammed in my chest and a smile crept across my face. I said the first thing that came to mind: “Hell yeah! That’s all I wanted that day at the river. That’s all I’ve wanted for years. Thank you.”

“Okay, stop.” Bryson sounded shell-shocked. “What the hell is going on here?”

“Come, on Bryson,” Darlene said. “How could you not know?”

“You knew?” he asked.

She threw her hands in the air. “Who didn’t?” She looked around and everyone nodded.

“So,” Bryson asked, “y’all knew there was something going on between them?”

“No, we weren’t sure,” Kora answered, “but it was obvious they’ve liked each other forever.”

Bryson turned to me. “Dude, if you wanted her this entire time, why did you give me such crap when I started dating Darlene?”