Page 68 of Love on Deck

We filed off the airplane and walked through DFW toward baggage claim. Once we retrieved our bags and walked outside, the cold hit us like a wall. I froze on the sidewalk, but not just because of the biting wind.

It was time to part ways.

Our cars were parked in completely different lots—mine in the garage, hers in the cheap uncovered parking that required a shuttle ride.

“I’ll drive you to your car,” I offered.

“It’s okay. The shuttle guys know right where to go.”

So did I, but I wouldn’t push it. I made sure my suitcase wouldn’t roll away before stepping toward her and pulling her in for a hug. Her arms went around me, and I closed my eyes, resting my head on top of hers and inhaling the scent of her lemon shampoo.

“You can’t expect things to change if you don’t make an effort,” she said, her voice muffled against my shoulder. “You should really just go to the party.”

She was right, but I didn’t want to go alone. It would be hard and awkward for me. I was sure Tucker would be embarrassed that he never invited me. Or, worse, if he had a reason for not wanting me there—and Wyatt had a reason for not inviting me to his birthday just before I left for the cruise—then I didn’t want to be around.

But if it was a matter of me making an effort and proving I’d drive out to Arcadia Creek just for a party, then Lauren was right. I needed to take the first step. It would be much easier if I wasn’t alone.

“I’ll go if you go with me.” The second the words were out of my mouth, my body tensed in self-conscious second-guessing, but I also realized how much I meant it. I could introduce her all around as a friend so she didn’t get drilled by all the southern mommas, and it would be easier to face Tucker, Colt, and Wyatt if Lauren was by my side.

Lauren laughed. “That’s moving a little fast.”

“You don’t have to come as my girlfriend.”

“I’m not sure that title is real anyway.”

It was kind of soon, I had to agree, but it felt right to me. I wouldn’t push it though. “You could just be a friend. They might make assumptions, but my family is mostly harmless.”

“Mostly?”

“Well, you already met Annie.”

She nodded against my shoulder as if that was explanation enough. “I can’t go with you, Jack. I have to get back to work. Jerry has already sent me a hundred emails about things he needs help with for this lawyer conference coming up.”

Had to? Or was that an excuse? I decided to prod a bit. “Tomorrow is Saturday. Arcadia is an hour away. We could leave at five and be home by ten if we wanted to, and that still gives you most of the day to catch up on those emails.”

“I don’t know.”

That wasn’t a no. I leaned back, looking into her golden green eyes. “Actually, this is a great idea. You already know Annie, so you won’t be a total fish out of water, and if I have you beside me, it’ll make me feel like I can face all of them.”

“You make your family sound terrifying.”

“They’re amazing. I’m the one who dropped the ball the last few years.” I lifted my hands to cup her face. Her hair was half-down, falling around her shoulders in gentle brown waves. “Please come with me, Lauren.”

She couldn’t look away. Her voice grew quieter, more vulnerable. “I’m not great with families. I’ve never had a big one, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around them.”

“Just think of it like a networking event, then. I’m guessing you rock those.”

“I can work a crowd pretty good at a professional mixer,” she agreed.

My smile came unbidden.

“This just feels so couple-y,” she said, biting down on her bottom lip.

“It doesn’t have to be. It can just be you helping a friend out.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll go. But we leave at—”

I cut her off with a kiss, gratitude building in my chest until it spilled over. Lauren wasn’t a passive bystander, though. She kissed me back until we both had to come up for air.

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