Page 29 of No Place Like Home (Orlinda Valley #3)

And here it was. Better late than never.

“Bryson, I didn’t give you crap because you were dating Darlene.

The issue was that she was my friend, and you were constantly inserting yourself into my business.

I needed space away from you, but since you were dating Darlene, you were always there. It was so annoying.”

Bryson thought about that for a moment, then nodded. “I can see that. I think we both needed space.”

“And maybe we both needed to grow up,” I added.

“Definitely,” Bryson agreed. “We’ve been total dicks to each other our entire lives and messed so much up.”

“You could say that,” I agreed.

“I’m glad you’re home, Row,” Bryson said.

“Thanks. I’m glad to be home. ”

Darelene sniffed. “You two are so sweet,” she said between sobs. “I’m so glad you finally made up.”

“Babe,” Bryson put his arms around her, and she turned her head into him.

What the hell was going on? “Dar, you okay?” I asked.

“Pregnancy hormones,” Kora answered. “She’s an emotional mess.”

“No shit,” Summer added. “Always blubbering about something.”

Darlene sniffed and took the napkin Kora handed her. “Just wait till tomorrow, Summer. I’m going to need you to lean on.”

“Thrills,” Summer deadpanned. “Just what I love to be—a human tissue.”

Kai chuckled. “You have a heartfelt woman there, Rowan.”

“Trust me, she’s all bark and not much bite.”

“Hmm, I might have to prove that wrong later.” The grin Summer gave me made my pulse pick up.

“Damn, back up, you two,” Bryson said. “Keep things PG. There are kids present.” He took a sip of his drink, raised his brows, and leaned back in his chair.

“Don’t mean to bring up anything negative, but you two seem to have something good going on.

Aren’t you going back to Texas for a job interview? ” he asked me.

“Yeah, about that.” I took a sip of my beer.

“They have an office here in Nashville and it’s possible I could work there.

If I’m offered the job, I could stay home if I wanted to.

It’s a good company to climb the ladder, even remotely.

I’m going out for my interview next Thursday, but we’re going to talk about the job in Nashville. ”

The excitement around the table became real as the possibility that I could stay and not go back to Texas sunk in .

The rest of the night was a whirlwind of activity—talking, toasts, and drinking. Finally, it was eleven o’clock and time to go. The ladies were staying here at the guest house, and we were all staying at Kai’s.

As everyone got ready to leave, I grabbed Summer and led her down a path and to a small pier where we could look out over the pond and into the dark expanse of the rolling hills and the sky filled with stars.

It was a perfect night. “You good?” I asked as we leaned on the railing and I slipped my arm around her waist. She’d become quiet suddenly during dinner. “Seems like something’s bothering you.”

She stared out over the fields, saying nothing. It was okay—I could wait. I pulled her closer to my side and she finally rested her head on my shoulder. I leaned my cheek against her hair and sighed. This was relaxing. It was what I’d needed—hell, it was what I’d always wanted.

“It’s so pretty and quiet here,” she said.

“No kidding.” We stayed like that, both lost in our thoughts, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something wrong—something she wasn’t telling me. I kissed her head, and the smell of honeysuckle and coconut filled my nose.

She lifted her head from my shoulder. “I’ve got to go.”

“Hey, are we good?” I asked.

She puffed out a breath and glanced at me. “Don’t start being weird, Rowan. I don’t do weird, and this”—she motioned between us with one hand— “I can’t do this if you get weird. So please think before you act.”

I laughed, even though I knew laughing at her pissed her off and she would storm away from me, just as she was doing now. I ran to catch up and grabbed her hand, pulling her back. “Don’t walk away from me, and stop letting everything get to you.”

She squeezed my hand, gave me a smile, and said, “Don’t be one of those overbearing boyfriends who thinks every time their girlfriend is quiet something’s wrong.”

We walked hand-in-hand back to the pavilion. “That would be fine if I thought that was the case. Do me a favor, Summer.” I pulled her to a stop, and she turned to me. “Don’t block me out. If something’s bothering you, we need to talk about it.”

“Fine. We’ll talk about it when something bothers me. Now, though, I have to go.”

I pulled her in and gave her a quick, yet heated kiss. “I’m going to miss you tonight,” I whispered.

“Me too,” she answered.

“Can’t wait to see you in that sexy dress tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait to see you cleaned up and in that tux.”

“There you two are,” my mother said as she walked up.

She glanced between us, her forehead creased in thought.

“This isn’t a surprise. It’s about time you two acted on the sexual tension between you.

There’s no way a man and woman could be .

. .” she brushed her hands through the air.

“Anyway, the bridegroom has to go. It’s almost midnight and he can’t see Kora until tomorrow.

” She grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “You boys need to leave. Now.”

“Until tomorrow night, Summertime. Save me a dance.” I winked and let my mom pull me away.