Page 37 of Dallas
I want to power through the details and field their questions before they have a chance to ask them. “Arianna was not my name at the time. And no, I was not home when it happened. I was away at boarding school. I was totally unaware that my father suffered from depression or that he was so unhinged. Also, my family still employed the woman who basically raised me. Meredith. She saved my life. I went to live with her and finished my education online. When I turned eighteen, I acquired a new identity, moved from Florida to Arizona, and went to college under my new persona. When I graduated two years ago, I saw this job opening in Wilde and jumped at the opportunity. No one here has any idea who I used to be. It’s been pleasant. But there’s always the possibility that one day, someone will figure it out and my life will flip upside-down again.”
“Well, they won’t hear it from any of us,” Gretchen announces.
“She’s right,” Ryder agrees.
Claire nods. “Never. Reagan and Tiago would never tell either.”
I wipe my tears. “Thank you,” I choke out. “You deserve to know. It’s not fair of me to keep something this important from you if I’m going to be in your lives.”
Claire’s eyes shoot wider, and she grins. “Are you? Going to be in our lives? I was so excited to see you here this morning, but when I heard about the pipes bursting, I wasn’t sure you were here to stay.”
“She’s here to stay,” Dallas growls.
I roll my eyes, still looking at Claire. “How do you put up with these cavemen?”
Claire giggles. “You’ll get used to them. They may be all bossy and growly on the outside, but they’re marshmallows on the inside.”
Ryder smirks. “Marshmallows? You do realize that being pregnant does not protect your bottom from encountering my palm, right?”
Gretchen chuckles as she stands and bustles toward the kitchen sink.
“He’s right,” Dallas says as he releases my hand to squeeze my thigh. “Being pregnant won’t protect your sweet behind when the day comes, either, Arianna. Consider that before you let the word marshmallow enter your vocabulary.”
I clench my thighs together. Growly Dallas makes me hot. “What if we’re having s’mores?”
He leans in closer, cups my face, and goes eye-to-eye with me, but his eyes are dancing with laughter. “Sassy girl.”
He really is a marshmallow inside. Claire is right.
I turn back to face them, sobering as I remember the more important topic of conversation. “I apologize in advance if my past creeps into our lives and bites me in the ass.”
Ryder shakes his head. “No apology necessary. I assume you’re going to marry my cousin, and that makes you family. In this family, we stick together.”
My cheeks flush. I haven’t agreed to marry Dallas, even though it seems to be a given among these people. The idea hasn’t even begun to settle in my head.
Except when Dallas grabs the back of my ponytail and tugs my head back so I’m forced to look at him, I realize I’m lying to myself. I’ve already made my decision. I might fight the lure for a few more hours or even days, but I can’t picture my life on any other trajectory than combining it with Dallas’s and becoming his wife.
He holds my gaze for long seconds, slowly smiles as if he’s read my mind, and kisses me soundly.
When he lets me up for air, I find Claire and Ryder beaming.
My brain is scrambled while Dallas acts like he was unaffected by that kiss. The man grabs my plate and starts dishing food onto it. “Is there anything you don’t like, baby?”
I turn my attention to the platters of eggs, hashbrowns, sausage links, bacon, and biscuits. My stomach grumbles as I realize I’m starving. “I like everything on the table.”
Dallas finishes filling my plate and sets it in front of me.
“Thank you.”
Dallas looks up at Ryder as he hands me a napkin. “So, back to the library. Do we know if there’s a plumber in town? I’ve contacted a few guys to go over and assess the structural damage, but we’ll need a plumber to deal with the pipes.”
Claire answers. “I’ve made a list of everyone in town who has a specific skill. It’s in the office. We can grab it after breakfast and get someone out there.”
I’m humbled by everyone’s help. I’m also worried about the books. I’ve been so distracted by Dallas discovering who I am that I’ve hardly thought about the library this morning. Now, my panic returns.
I push my food around my plate, my mind visualizing all sorts of catastrophes. The worst is my concern that the ceiling collapsed above my apartment in the night and caused my entire apartment to fall into the library.
“You’re worried about your belongings, aren’t you?” Claire asks.
