Page 56 of No Place Like Home
We made our way to the back of the property where the Warfields had a pavilion and barn specifically for outdoor events. This was where the wedding was going to be.
Trevor pulled up and we climbed out of the van. Wow. I did a three-sixty, and the gorgeous views of hills, houses, barns, and fields of horses and cattle went on forever in every direction.
The wedding coordinators met us, and we helped them unload the food and kegs. After that, I had to go find Susie, so I left Trevor with them and headed to the pavilion, which was already set up with tables in long lines and a dance floor in the center.
Susie was on the other end of the pavilion, talking with an older lady. I walked in their direction. “Hey, the food’s been delivered. Is there anything else you need help with?”
“Hi Rowan,” Susie greeted me. “This is Annette. She’s the head coordinator and will be our go-to person if we need anything or have any questions.”
I shook Annette’s hand. She was a pretty woman, with blonde hair cut just below her shoulders. She wore a black skirt with a white button up blouse, and crazy-high heels. How the hell could women walk in those things? “Nice to meet you,” I said. “I hope I don’t become too big of a pain tomorrow. I have no clue how I’m going to help them with anything.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry about bothering me. That’s what I get paid for. Making sure everything goes off perfectly is my job, and with y’all being friends of the Warfields, things need to be even more perfect than usual.” She inclined her head toward the other end of the pavilion. “The rehearsal must be over. Excuse me.”
My gaze went automatically to the group that was coming through the opening. They were led by Kora and Kai, but I fixed immediately on Summer. I couldn’t tell what she said, but with her body language and attitude that emanated from her, I was sure Jamison and Lance said something to piss her off. That was my girl. All sass and sarcasm. My blood warmed and pooled in areas it didn’t need to be—well, not now, at least. Finally, her eyes caught mine and I winked. She answered it with a soft smile.
That smile meant more to me here amongst our friends than anything else.
“Why don’t you go say hi instead of gawking at her,” Susie said.
“I’m not gawking,” I said.
Susie laughed. “Okay, keep on believing that.” She walked away as the wedding party assembled at the head of the line for dinner. They went through the buffet line first, followed by the family, which included me, Kora’s dad and my mom, Susie, and Terry. Everyone else followed.
I sat at an empty seat next to Summer. Susie, Trevor, Bryson, Darlene, Kora, and Kai sat with us.
As we ate, we laughed over high school memories, making sure Kai knew he wasn’t marrying the perfect Orlinda Valley princess the town made Kora out to be. She, Summer, and Darlene had been into all sorts of mischief when they were younger, but got away with almost everything.
During the meal and discussion, my hand was never far from Summer’s thigh. Every now and then she would cover it with hers and give it a squeeze. That simple touch sent sparks shooting throughout my body. I held her gaze for a brief second, and the desire to kiss her lips burned deep.
“Rowan,” Trevor said, pulling my attention from Summer—for the moment, at least. “Do you remember that one time when we were at the river, tubing? You were dating some girl, I don’t remember who. I could never keep them straight.” He swiped his hand through the air at me when I glared at him. “Anyway, you had this huge fight, and she started screaming and went ballistic?”
“I remember that,” Darlene said. “She was Sara. She didn’t like how little attention she was getting.”
“Oh yeah,” Kora added, her eyes wide. “She was pissed because Rowan and Summer were off in their own little world, alone. I guess we’ll never know what they were doing.” She smirked at us impishly.
Summer looked at Kora, her eyes narrowed. “We weren’t doing anything. He was teaching me how to skip rocks. Trying to help me finally figure it out.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It didn’t work.”
She shrugged and her hand left mine to pick up her drink. “I’ve gotten better over the years.”
“You’ve gotten better at a lot of things over the years,” I said. Our eyes locked, and I couldn’t help it. I reached over and dragged my fingers across her cheek. “We both have,” I added.
Her gaze seared into me and my heart skipped a beat. Then she leaned in, and our lips met. My eyes bulged wide, caught off-guard by her sudden willingness to show affection in public, but I quickly regained my composure and kissed her back eagerly.
It was a soft kiss, an amazing kiss, and it broke all her rules.
I slid my hand behind her head and twined my fingers in her hair, holding her there, not wanting this to end. The noise in the pavilion ceased to exist. I don’t know if it was because everyone was stunned into silence at what they were witnessing, or if the world fell away in that moment.
It didn’t matter. She’d kissed me in front of our friends here at the table.
Finally, she broke away and held my gaze for a brief second, then winked. “There,” she whispered. “Are you happy now? Everyone knows.”
My heart slammed in my chest and a smile crept across my face. I said the first thing that came to mind: “Hell yeah! That’s all I wanted that day at the river. That’s all I’ve wanted for years. Thank you.”
“Okay, stop.” Bryson sounded shell-shocked. “What the hell is going on here?”
“Come, on Bryson,” Darlene said. “How could you not know?”
