Page 31 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)

“Actually,” Coach Gable said, directing his attention to Randall. “It’s a title that comes with her degree. She is both a certified PT and AT.”

“And very beautiful, as well,” drunk Sebastian said with a wink.

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen her before,” my father added, and I pushed to my feet and made my way to his end of the table. I reached into the basket that my brother had passed him and pulled out two dinner rolls.

“For the love of God. Eat some bread, Dad.” I gave him a pointed look.

“Yes, my loved ones. Break bread and be merry,” Rafe said, holding his arms out.

Had everyone lost their fucking minds?

Eloise, Henley, and Lulu started laughing, and they didn’t stop.

Everyone at the table gaped at them before joining in.

“I don’t even know what we’re laughing at, but I’m having a great time,” Randall said.

The booze continued to flow, and I did my best to encourage everyone to eat.

I had a migraine because I was watching Richie Rich hit on my woman, and it was pissing me off.

My mother broke out in her favorite song, “Save Me,” by Jelly Roll, and my father sang backup. They were completely off-key, yet everyone at the table watched as if they were seeing Jelly Roll perform live and in person at the dinner table.

I excused myself and went to the bathroom, needing a minute of quiet.

There was a knock on the door, and I cracked it open to see Eloise standing there. Cheeks flushed, goofy smile, and absolutely stunning.

“Lulu and Henley have Sebastian trapped in a long story, and I wanted to check on you,” she whispered. “No one else is paying any attention. They are too enthralled in the live concert.”

I tugged her into the bathroom, pressing her back against the door, before leaning down and kissing her.

“Fuck. I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” I said, after I pulled back.

“I’ve been wanting you to do it all day, you sexy beast of a man.” She poked me in the chest a few times as her words slurred.

“You’re a little tipsy, huh?” I smiled down at her.

“Just a little. I’m not used to having three glasses of wine in one sitting.” She shrugged. “I wanted to sit next to you, but Sebastian motioned for me to take the seat beside him.”

“That preppy bastard is hanging all over you. I can’t stand him or his plaid pants,” I hissed, and her head fell back in laughter.

“I like you, Clark Chadwick.”

“I like you, too,” I said, leaning down to kiss her again.

There was a knock on the door. “Mayday! Mayday!”

I groaned at the sound of Lulu’s voice, reaching for the door and cracking it open. “You beckoned?”

“I know Eloise is in there, but we’re losing Sebastian.

He keeps saying he has to go to the bathroom.

Henley is trying to hold him off. Your mother is on her second set, and Bridger is getting very impatient about having dessert.

Easton is refilling drinks to people who shouldn’t be served, and Rafe thinks he’s a minister now,” Lulu whisper-hissed.

“Fuck.” I stepped back as Lulu pushed inside. “What’s the plan?”

“You leave me in here with Eloise. You go and make it look like you’re coming from a different bathroom and just go back to the table.”

“Got it,” I said, winking at Eloise. “Thanks, Lu.”

“Of course. I left my Superwoman cape at the table. Get out there.” She peeked out the door and waved me on.

I didn’t see Sebastian coming, so I headed for the kitchen and gaped at the scene before me. Bridger was sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen island, with a large chocolate cake and a fork. He looked up mid-bite.

“They’re never serving this shit, and I’m done waiting.” He shrugged before shoving the fork into his mouth.

I reached for a fork in the silverware drawer and pulled up the stool beside him. “I’m done with this night.”

“Yeah, that’s how I feel most days. Welcome to my life,” he said.

I barked out a laugh as Rafe’s voice carried into the kitchen. “Thank you all for breaking bread and singing Jelly Roll songs. It’s been a night to remember of memories being made with both new friends and old friends. Mom, take it away!”

“He’s encouraging this?” I said.

“He sure as shit is. But guess what, brother?” Bridger said, keeping his voice low as he forked another bite of chocolate cake.

“What?”

“No one is suspicious that you’re in a relationship with your physical therapist, aside from your family. So, it looks like this shitshow did it’s job.”

I nodded and took another bite. “It’s not a relationship. We’re just seeing where it goes.”

“Well, I think you two are going to an awful lot of trouble for something casual.” He arched a brow. “So I’d start figuring this shit out soon because you head back to the city in a few weeks.”

I’ve never felt this way about any woman before, that much was clear. But I didn’t know how to handle all these feelings without scaring her off or causing her a whole lot of problems at work.

This was complicated, and we both knew it.

I blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah. Shit’s about to get real.”

“Well, you better figure out what to do about it real soon, then,” he said over a mouthful of cake.

But I didn’t know how to make this work in the real world.

And I knew Eloise was right. This would all fall on her.

And I sure as hell would never be okay with that.

So, we had three weeks to figure out if this was something worth risking a whole lot for.