Page 56 of Second-Rate Superstar

Hannah’s hand reached out to smack his chest. “Don’t apologize for me! I’m not sorry.”

“You never are,” Cal muttered before winking at me. “Nine times out of ten, she misbehaves to provoke a reaction from me.”

Nodding enthusiastically, Hannah confirmed, “It’s true.” Leaning in, she whispered, “And I bet you know just how good those punishments can be.”

Cue the flaming face again. I was used to Bristol’s sexually suggestive mouth, but she had never been quite so bold in public. Hannah was a breed all her own. This was her world, and the rest of us were simply living in it.

Natalie’s voice cut through to my right. “Hannah, leave the poor girl alone. Braxton can’t afford to have you scaring this one off. I like her.”

Set slightly at ease, I turned to face our hostess, who beamed at me before throwing her arms around my neck. “We’re so glad you could make it.” Releasing her grasp, she gestured to Braxton. “I told this one not to take no for an answer.”

Peeking at the man by my side, I asked, “Is that so?”

He shrugged with a smirk, teasing Natalie. “Don’t you have enough sisters?”

Winking, she replied, “There’s still one open spot left.”

Stunned, I stared at the pair of them.

Were they implying what I thought they were? Braxton and I had met only a couple of months ago. Had the thought really crossed people’s minds that we were already in it for the long haul? Or at least, they were hopeful that we might be?

How could they be so confident when I was still reeling, trying to figure out what Braxton and I were? Yes, there were butterflies in my stomach when he flashed me that perfectly imperfect crooked grin. Yes, I thought about him when he wasn’t around. And yes, he was tearing down the wallsI’d built about my heart brick by brick. But none of that equated to a relationship.

Then, a thought struck me. What if Braxton already felt as though we were a couple? What if I was the last to realize I was already his?

That I want to be his.

Out of nowhere, a potential future with a man I barely knew flashed before my eyes. Spending nights together talking, sharing our deepest secrets and fears. Me attending one of his games to support what he did for a living. Baring my soul, allowing him to read my writing, and eventually finding our way to a place where we couldn’t live without the other.

I’d figured I might meet a man someday and open up my jaded heart to love, but Braxton had blown in out of left field. I never saw him coming until he snuck up on me, and I felt powerless to put the brakes on now. We were rolling down the track too fast, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get off this train.

The man in question’s hand landed on my shoulder, saying to Natalie, “Dakota insisted on bringing something, even though I told her we would have enough food to feed an army.”

Brown eyes sparkling, Natalie exclaimed, “Oh! I’ve toldeveryoneabout the casserole you made for us. I’m sure whatever you brought will be another hit!”

I couldn’t help but smile back at her; she exuded such kindness. Lifting the cooler, I explained, “I know it’s seasonal, but key lime pie is always an instant classic in my book. There’s so much savory on Thanksgiving that I figured having a little sweet and tart to cleanse the palate would be nice.”

Natalie gushed, “That sounds amazing! Did you make it?”

Braxton answered for me. “She sure did.” He squeezed my shoulder. “It was her mom’s recipe.”

A sympathetic smile graced Natalie’s lips. “I’m sure you’re missing her today.”

Dammit. Why were these people so nice? Tears burned behind my eyes as I furiously blinked to keep them at bay. My voice was whisper-quiet in my reply. “Yes.”

Taking the cooler from my hand, she disappeared without another word, and Braxton pulled me into his arms, sensing my need for comfort. How did he always know exactly what I needed?

Dipping his head to my ear, he asked, “You okay?”

Nodding into his chest, I took a shaky breath. “Yeah. Holidays are hard.”

Pulling back, he thumbed the moisture from my cheeks. “She can never be replaced, but this found family is pretty great. As you can probably tell, they’re already holding a spot open for you to join it.”

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. “Maybe. Gotta get through the trial run of a major holiday first.”

“Be yourself. That’s more than enough.”

Jaxon’s voice broke through the bubble of our private yet public interaction. “Dakota. So glad you could join us.”

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