Page 19 of More Than Falling in Love

Ava beams as she walks onto the floor.She’s a beautiful bride.

I clap as she turns around.For her sake, I want this day to be all that she’s ever wished for.And when she tosses the throwaway bouquet toward the small group of us, I end up with the prize.I might have lunged for it.Only because the flowers are stunning.

People are cheering as I walk to the side and up to Dad.Hopefully catching the bouquet doesn’t plant any thoughts in his head.Before saying anything, I give him a hug.

“Love you, Poppy.Very much.”He chokes out the words in a whisper.

I pull back and fix his boutonniere.“Love you too.And don’t worry.I’m not planning any big surprises.”

He pulls me close again.“You know I’ll support whatever and whoever you choose.”

“I know, Dad.That’s why you’re the best.”I push him toward the front.“Now, go.The guys are waiting for you to throw the garter.”

Dag is front and center, which has everyone laughing.Except Goldie.Kent is noticeably absent from the group, but Joji is talking to him and pointing at the dance floor.He shakes his head.Then she puts her hands on her hips, and he trudges to the middle, shaking his head.But the hint of a smile says he isn’t horribly upset about being forced out there.

When Dad gives the garter a good fling, it heads toward Dag.In true form, he slaps it away.Just before Kent gets thwacked in the face, he catches the garter, then looks at it as if he’s holding a snake.

I feel for the guy.

When people start to leave,I find Parker.“I’m ready whenever you are.”

Knowing that Dad would be busy after the wedding and not going back to his house, Parker offered to drive me back into town after the festivities.

He runs his fingers through his hair and acts like he’s trying to figure out how to deliver bad news.“Well, I know I said I’d take you, but—”

A hand touches my shoulder, and I know from the tingle who it is.

“Hey.”Kent only meets my gaze a second before watching Mason talk to Joji on the other side of the room.“I asked Parker to let me drive you home.”

I feel like I’m on a runaway horse with nothing to hold onto.“Okay.”

Mason is likely behind the request, and reading into it will make things awkward.For all the spark and attraction happening with Kent, I’m not looking for a relationship.With anyone.Especially not someone who lives here.Big things are happening for me in New York, some I haven’t even been allowed to share with my dad.

“Want me to round up Mason?”I tuck my clutch under my arm.“He’s got to be exhausted.”

“Parker is taking him home.And yeah, he’ll probably be asleep before they get to the house.”He nods toward the door.“We can go.I already told Mason I was leaving.”

After a few goodbye hugs, I meet Kent outside.“Mason seemed to enjoy himself.”

“He did.The wedding was nice.Really nice.”He’s quiet as he drives through the ranch.“I know generally where the house is, but you’ll have to give me specifics.”

“It’s one street over from Tyler and Jasmine.Green house.”

“Easy to find.And, um, if you don’t mind, could we talk for a few minutes?”His gaze is fixed on the road ahead.He hasn’t glanced at me once since he started driving.

“Sure.”Now I’m nervous.Talk about what?As he turns into the driveway, my thoughts are racing.What’s the nicest way to explain that I’m not looking for a long-distance relationship?Any relationship.

If I were, he’d probably take up the first five spots because there’s just something about the guy.It’s not just the tingle when we touch.It’s not that he has a fantastic kid who clearly adores his dad.But Kent has needled his way into my thoughts after only two days.

I stay in my seat as he walks around the truck and opens my door.Both of us are silent as we walk to the house.While I do my best to look like I know how to unlock a door, he shoves his hands in his pockets.

Finally on the third try—charm and all that—I push open the door.“Come on in.But I’ll warn you, the church lady next door will tell the whole town you drove me home.She likely has a timer going to see how long you stay.”

Thankfully, he cracks a smile.“I’ll keep it brief.Don’t want any crazy rumors.”Once we’re inside, he loosens his tie.

It’s a good look, and I’m wishing Mason were here to snap a picture for me.

Kent pinches his lips together and meets my gaze.“It’s probably obvious that I find you attractive.”

---