I’d grown out of that phase before I hit twenty-two. I didn’t date often, but when I did, it was someone I trusted. Trusted not to take a selfie with my naked ass while I was passed out, asleep.
Walker’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “One day, Tuck, someone is going to come along and knock you on your ass. You’re going to be so taken by her, and she’s not gonna put up with any of your shit.” He let out a chuckle. “And I can’t wait to watch.”
Tuck’s face lost the easy grin he usually sported, and his jaw tightened. “Don’t hold your breath.”
“Whatever you say.” Walker turned to me. “We’re having a big family dinner tonight at the ranch house. Why don’t you come? My parents would love to have you.”
Walker’s whole family lived on the ranch, including his parents and his spitfire of a grandmother. They were a tight-knit clan that reminded me of my own family back in Georgia. I could use a dose of that. “I never turn down the offer of a free meal.”
“Smart man. Come on over around six.”
I adjusted my ballcap. “I’ll be there.”
Tuck urged his mount forward from where he had fallen behind. “And what about me? Aren’t I an honorary member of the Cole clan?”
Walker shook his head. “You’re the drunk uncle everyone is embarrassed they’re related to.” I couldn’t help the snicker that escaped me.
Tuck grinned at Walker. “You’re just mad your mom and grandma like me better than they like you.”
Walker turned his gaze heavenward as if pleading for help and then shot a look my way. “Maybe you can help me keep this hooligan in check tonight.”
I chuckled. “I’ll do my best, but I think that might be a job for more than two of us.”
“Damn straight,” Tuck agreed.
A mischievous smile spread across Walker’s face. “I think a certain tea shop employee might be there, too.”
My body went on alert at the thought of having a real shot at talking to Tessa. One where she wouldn’t just hightail it out of my presence immediately. At least, I hoped.
9
Tessa
Ileaned against my car door to shut it. Adjusting the large purse on my shoulder, I looked up at the gorgeous Cole family ranch house. It was everything I’d dreamt of as a little girl. A home full of warmth, love, and family. The house practically glowed with it.
A peal of laughter sounded from behind the closed door, and I knew that either Walker or Tuck was chasing Noah with the threat of tickles. Just like I knew Jensen would be pouring glasses of wine for all the ladies while they gathered in the kitchen to gossip and catch up as Walker’s mother, Sarah, finished cooking.
But here I stood, on the outside looking in. Just like always.
It wasn’t that the extended Cole family didn’t make me feel welcome. They went out of their way to let me know they thought of me as family. Guilt churned in my belly. What would they say if they knew that Tessa wasn’t even my real name? I could count the truths they knew about me on one hand.
These were good, kind people. They didn’t deserve to be lied to.The lies keep them safe. They keepmesafe.It was true. If the Coles or the rest of them knew my name and where I was from, what I had endured, the little haven of safety I’d created could all come crashing down around me.
“Are you heading in?”
I jumped at the sound of Liam’s voice coming from my right.
He held up a hand and gave a sheepish smile. “I’m forever sneaking up on you. Sorry about that.”
I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat. Liam looked incredibly handsome in dark-wash jeans that hugged his hips, and a button-down that brought out the green in his hazel eyes. His light brown hair was just a little shaggy on top, perfectly mussed in that way so many guys spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting. But you just knew that, for Liam, it was effortless. The look was complemented by the scruff covering his jaw.
It hit me like a ton of bricks—I was checking him out. I was looking at a man with interest instead of fear. A coyote howled in the distance, the sound jarring me from my thoughts. The darkening sky seemed to close in around us.
I was alone with a man. My breathing picked up speed. Anything could happen. My chest constricted as my gaze darted from Liam to the house and back again.
Liam must have seen the fear invade my expression because he took two large steps back. He moved slowly, the way I had around Phoenix at first. The tightness in my chest eased.
“I just had to finish up a phone call with my record label before I headed inside.” A little bit of color rose in his cheeks. “I guess I didn’t need to say it was with my record label. That probably sounded like I was bragging. I didn’t mean it that way. I just—"
