Page 23 of One Night to Fall
WREN: Jesse don’t ‘accidentally forget’ to bring Adrian
Dammit.
“So, uh,”—I swallow hard, looking up from my phone—“your presence is requested this morning.”
“For what?”
“Breakfast…with my family.”
16
ADRIAN
Jesse insisted on getting down on his knees for me before we left my house. He said it was a preemptive apology for having to meet his family, and I didn’t fight him on it. Things felt weird this morning, the two of us pretending that what happened last night didn’t happen.
It shouldn’t have been a big deal—just one friend helping out another—but Jesse had let his guard down, and even with the alcohol in his system, I know that meant something.
“So I should probably warn you,” he begins, as we start up the walkway toward what he’d affectionately calledthe lodge.“My mom is going to fuss over you, and even though I’m going to try like hell to not let it happen, she’s going to ask all sorts of personal questions.”
“You’re not selling this.”
“I’m just trying to prepare you.”
We grabbed Jesse’s truck on the way here and I’d followed him. I’d only been here the one time for losing the bet and apparently blocked everything else out because,wow,this place is stunning.
The house is massive, beautifully kept like something out of a magazine. Immaculately cut grass kisses the rolling fields in the distance, and I recognize the horse barn and a couple of other buildings related to the animals here, but the lodge is something else.
It reminds me of a rustic wedding hall with a massive table running down the center of the room. One end of the table is covered with a floral cloth, and two smaller tables of food sit off to the side.
How many people are they expecting?
“Hey,” a pretty blonde woman with a baby says to Jesse as she pops up and kisses him on the cheek, “your mom is doing a whole lot of smiling today, so the tentative plan is that Pen is going to ask your mom where she thinks she and Lake should go on their honeymoon. Reid has a spreadsheet filled with ideas for events this year at the tree farm to discuss, and if all else fails, we’re going to give her the baby.”
“Have I told you recently that you’re my favorite?” Jesse tells her as he pulls her in for a hug. “Indie, this is Adrian, my captive for the day.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I reply, offering my hand and relaxing a little when she accepts it. “Is…all that necessary?”
“It is if you don’t want my mother-in-law to start planning your wedding.” She beams at me as my mouth falls open.
“Told you,” Jesse murmurs. “What kind of favors do I owe for this?”
“Big ones,” an older version of Jesse says before turning to me with a grin. “I’m Beau.” Pointing across the room, he says, “That’s Lake and Pen, and they’re talking to Reid and Harlan. Reid is the one in the glasses. I think you met Pen and Harlan when you came to ride Jolene.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell him, my heart racing a little faster now becausewhat have I gotten myself into.
“Where’s Wren?” Jesse asks, scanning the room as a woman comes hurrying toward us with a wide smile on her face. “Hey, Mom.”
“How are you, baby?” she says, wrapping him in a hug before pulling back and placing a hand on his cheek.
“I’m all right.” Clearing his throat, he turns to me, his cheeks pink and so damn sexy. “Mom, this is my friend Adrian. He kept me out of trouble last night.”
“Thank you,” she says, pulling me into a hug that’s tight and warm andmotherly.“I’m Elora Sterling.” She beams before holding me at arm’s length. “You are handsome, aren’t you?”
“Mom,”Jesse hisses but she just waves him off.
“He knows he’s handsome, Jesse. I’m sure the boy has a mirror,” Elora deadpans as Jesse’s eyelids flutter shut. The entire exchange amuses the hell out of me as she slips her hand into the crook of my arm. “Come on, Adrian, let me show you around.”
“Mom.”
