Page 8 of Where We Call Home

Rhodes’ gaze dragged from my boots to my braids, his lips quirking slightly.

When I stepped away from the car, he reached in, grabbing my cowhide tassel purse from the passenger seat. As he did, his black t-shirt rode up slightly, revealing a sliver of toned, tanned skin.

I nearly swallowed my own tongue.

There was nothing sexier than a man’s muscular back, and I’d beteverythingI owned that Rhodes was perfectly sculpted beneath that shirt.

“Thanks again,” I muttered, taking my purse from his massive hands and tossing it over my shoulder.

“No problem.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, dragging his eyes down my bodyagainbefore glancing at the ground.

For a beat, we stood there. Neither of us moved. The tension between us thickened, stretching tight like an invisible cord pulling us closer.

I cleared my throat, desperate to break the moment.

“Should we head in?”

Normally, when Rhodes and I were around each other, our friends acted as buffers. But now? Now it was just us and I didn’t know what to do with that.

We walked in silence, the pressure to speak hanging between us like a heavy weight.

I chose to ignore it.

“Were we supposed to bring a gift?” Rhodes murmured, leaning in close enough that his warm breath tickled the shell of my ear.

A full-body shiver ran through me, goosebumps prickling my arms.

Inside the backyard, balloons arched over long folding tables, and a massive banner reading“Way to Kick Romance Ass!”hung from the gazebo entrance.

Boone’s family had a pool, but my pregnant ass wasnotabout to get in. I’d happily watch from a safe, dry distance.

“I’m her gift,” I teased, flashing him a smirk. “Guess you’re shit out of luck.”

Rhodes let out a short laugh. “I helped her gift out of the car.Technically, that makes youmygift, too.”

I snorted.

Rhodes was funny.

There was something alluring about a big, broad, brawny man with quick wit and a little shyness beneath the surface.

“Theo! Rhodes!” Aspen’s voice rang out as she jogged toward us, practically vibrating with excitement. She pulled me into a hug before stepping back, her hands still on my shoulders.

“Did you two come together?” she asked, eyes bouncing between us.

“No!” Rhodes and I blurted in unison.

I glanced at him.

He was already looking at me.

“He just helped me out of the car,” I explained, smiling lopsidedly. “The belly gets in the way.”

“My gift to you,” Rhodes said smoothly, bowing like a butler, hand over his stomach.

Aspen cooed, nudging me. “Aww. You didn’t need to bring me a gift, but I’m glad it was this one.”

She looped her arm through mine, dragging me toward Penny and the rest of our friends.

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