Page 123 of Blindly Yours

The giggle she releases is so sweet I can hardly stand it.

“But I’ll do it for you.” I smile.

The way she looks at me with those gentle, appreciative eyes, tells me everything I need to know. She nods and hands me my jacket as she stands. “Then let’s go dance.”

Inside, the chatter is loud, and a live band plays instrumental covers of popular songs at the other end of the hall. Surprisingly, it’s not a huge event. There are probably less than a hundred and fifty guests. I spot Rose’s brothers chatting at the bar and her parents socializing with the bride and groom at the head table. Rose pays them no attention, but quickly tugs me toward the dancefloor.

“Let’s enjoy the moment before my mom ruins it all again,” she says.

When I pull her into my arms, I look down into her eyes. “Don’t give her the satisfaction.”

She rests her head on my shoulder and we begin to sway to the music. As we slowly rotate, I’m offered a view of the entire room. It looks like any other wedding, except everyone is dressed like they’ve been styled by professionals. Many of them probably have been. Heck, evenIwas. I would have absolutely failed if I tried to pick out a tux myself. I walked into that rental shop with my hands held up in desperation. And thankfully, they were more than willing to rent me their most expensive option.

I run my fingers through Rose’s hair and rest my cheek against hers, savoring the feel of her soft body against mine. As the head table comes into view, I spot Cynthia still sharing a laugh with the bride. She takes a sip from her wine glass and surveys the room with her nose turned up. Then her eyes land on mine, carefully, calculating. I hold her gaze for a long moment. She looks a little surprised to see me, but I resolve not to look away first. She’s analyzing. Making judgements. I can see Rose in her eyes. I see the grit and determination I’ve come to love so much. Her mother uses hers in a different way, but that disposition is there at the core of both of them.

If being with Rose means I’m going to be at odds with her parents forever, then so be it. That’s not going to scare me away. No, I love her too much to let them get in the way.

When I trail my fingers through Rose’s hair again, Cynthia’s expression changes. It softens just enough for me to register before she turns away and resumes her socializing.

I smile.

Yeah, that’s right. She’s mine. And I’m going to show you I can make her happier than any of those trust fund boys you’ve tried to force on her.

As the song comes to a close, Rose pulls away and gazes up at me. “I think I should go talk to my mom.”

I brush my thumb across her cheek and nod. “Do you need me?”

She shakes her head, then she smiles. “I mean, I need you in a lot of ways, but this is something I should do on my own.”

I kiss her swiftly and then let her go. “I’ll be at the bar. I saw your brothers there, and I don’t think theytotallyhate me.”

“No, they like you. Especially George. He actually talked me off the cliff yesterday after…what happened.”

I frown, because I hate to think she was on the edge of any cliff, proverbial or not. “I’ll be sure to thank him.” I nudge her as I turn to the bar. But just as I do, Cynthia appears in front of us.

Rose and I go rigid, but Cynthia takes a deep breath and extends her hand to me with a small smile. “Nate, can we start over?”

It’s genuine, I can tell, because the gaze that holds mine is solid and unwavering. I glance at a very shocked Rose, and then back at her mother. “Absolutely.” I grasp her hand firmly.

Cynthia nods and leans into her daughter. “Rose was telling me just how happy you’ve made her these past few months, and I’m…” She takes another breath. “I’m so glad she’s found you.”

Rose is gaping beside me as if her mother just grew antlers, but I reply quickly to Cynthia. “I’m glad I found her too.” Then I slide my arm around Rose’s waist and pull her closer.

Cynthia pats my arm and sighs happily—or at least that’s what it sounds like. “Ah, young love.” She adjusts her bracelets on her wrist and shakes her head. “There’s nothing quite like it.”

Behind her, I notice George slowly making his way toward us. His brows are pulled together a little, but I can’t tell if he’s looking at me or his mother.

“Will you be staying the night?” Cynthia lifts her eyes to mine again. “The men have all been invited to go skeet shooting in the morning. I’m sure they’d love to have you.”

I find myself smiling, because not only is she making an effort to include me, but it’s actually an activity I’ll be confident in. My father took me hunting all the time when I was young.

George arrives next to Cynthia and extends his hand to me. “Nate. Glad you made it.”

Cynthia speaks as I shake his hand. “I was just inviting him to go shooting with you all in the morning.”

“I’d love to join. Thank you.” I smile at her.

“And I expect to see you at dinner again soon, Nate,” she says as she turns from us. “Des has been begging to show you his Ferrari.”

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