When we’re out of earshot of everyone he pulls me in front of him, extending my hand in the air. “Let me see what I’ve won.” He chuckles. “I do have some idea how much this means to you,” he says, cheeks flushing. “It wasn’t my idea, but I did think it was a fantastic one.”
I shake my head. “I should have married you, Preston. We’re like a superhero team. This unstoppable duo. We could probably take over the world.”
“Except, I have no interest in giving you the same things he wants to give you,” Preston says, Southern accent fainter than my own. Glancing where he’s nodded, I see Mercer Ballentine jogging toward the beer garden. He’s wearing his dadgum uniform. The white one. His brightly-hued ribbons displayed on his chest, the big trident pin that marks him as a Navy SEAL glitters golden in the sunlight.
I swallow hard. “Lord.”
Preston watches him approach us. “Yeah, I agree. Lord. You’re one lucky woman.” He looks back to me. “But it’s obvious you already know that.”
“Wait,” I say, scrunching up my nose. “This was Mercer’s idea? You being here?”
There isn’t time for an answer. Mercer is here, wide chest demanding attention. I lose my breath as my body reacts to his proximity. “How did it go?” he asks, casting his eyes between Preston and me.
“Just as planned, Mr. Ballentine,” Preston replies. “I got here just in time. It was a success.”
I blink a few times. “You had him buy me. How did you find Preston to begin with? I never told you his name. I barely told you anything about him.” I rattle the conversation I had with Mercer at DR the night he got home around in my mind.
Mercer sighs, taking my hands in his. “My job offers me a peculiar set of skills and by the description you gave, well, I was able to figure it out on my own. I also knew your daddy would do everything in his power to stop me from being here, so I figured it out. It worked.” Mercer lifts and lowers his arms, releasing me. Preston watches him, eyes rapt.
“I bought you in his honor, Clover,” Preston says, gaze mirthful, joking. “Not that humans can be bought.”
“I appreciated it when I didn’t know Mercer was involved, but even more so now. You’re a good friend, Preston. I owe you one. Let me know if you ever need me to buy you, okay?”
Preston shakes his head, white smile flashing. “Don’t even mention it. I’m happy to help. Now if you’ll excuse me, bachelor number seven was making eyes and I need to find out if I have a chance.”
Mercer shades his eyes, peering in the direction where Preston is looking. “Oh, there’s a one-hundred percent chance of snow over there, buddy. Go get ‘em.” He slaps Preston on the shoulder. “Thank you for today. I owe you one, too.”
Preston points a finger at Mercer. “I will take you up on that one day.” Preston leaves.
Mercer slides his hands into his pockets, his biceps pulling the white fabric of his uniform. “He wouldn’t even let me pay him back.” He shrugs. “He’s a good friend to have in your corner.” Speaking of friends in corners, I see my dad peering at us, eyes narrowed, hands on his hips.
“Beer?” I ask, pulling on his arm.
Mercer adjusts his cover and lets me lead him away. There’s a dirt patch that has patio tables and chairs. He pulls out a chair for me and I take a seat. “I don’t want to drink while in uniform, but I’ll grab you a beer. Wine?”
I tell him what I’d like, but then become aware of all of the attention we’re receiving. Tannie is glaring, standing next to my dad. My mama is busy with a few women from her gardening club, chatting animatedly. She’s oblivious for the moment. When Mercer gets back, I take the beer and try to keep a friendly grin on my face. “Thank you.” Tipping my head back, I take a long swallow. “Nothing like getting sold in front of your town to create a thirst.”
“You know they only act that way because they don’t know any different,” Mercer says, folding his hands on the table in front of him.
Ignoring the sad state of affairs, I say, “You are unbearably attractive in that uniform. There are a few things I’d like to do when we get back to my place.”
“Hey, hey. Don’t change the subject.”
“How was the parade?” I ask. “Do you feel properly welcomed home?”
He tilts his chin down. “It was unnecessary. You know I’m not about all this. I wanted to visit home and relax before I go back. Parades are sort of the opposite of relaxation.”
I choke down the rest of my beer. “I am the opposite of relaxation. I have no idea why you’re mixing yourself up with my crazy. You had to track down my gay ex to save myself the pain of dating a proper Southern gentleman.”
His gaze cuts away, eyeing something over my shoulder. “Because I’m surely not a Southern gentleman, right?” Mercer shakes his head, letting his gaze land on the people surrounding us.
I panic, my heart ricocheting in my chest. “No. That’s not what I meant. Of course you are. I want you.” I enunciate the last word harshly.
He leans in and licks his lips. “You want me because I’m forbidden. A good time wrapped in a tight package. I’m the thrill before you settle for bachelor number five. You don’t look at me like anything more than a good time. Nothing I do seems to increase my odds of changing your perspective of me.”
My throat burns as I swallow hard. “You don’t get it. How hard it is for me to shun the only life I’ve ever known to jump into something that I’m clueless about. I’m still learning. I used the wrong words. Look at you.” I nod at his uniform. “You are more than a Southern gentleman, you’re that plus some. Please. I’m sorry, Mercer. I shouldn’t have said that.” How insecure must he be that a slip of the tongue creates such a visceral response from him. His breathing is heavy, and his pupils dilate. His ego isn’t what I’m used to. There’s an unfamiliar fragility to it. “Look at me.”
Mercer turns his gaze to meet mine and my heart skips a beat. I take both of his hands in mine. “Let’s go to Cape Cod. Spend a week there before you redeploy. I’m ready to leave this all behind. Start a new life. Together.” My car came back from the shop and I’m ready. There is nothing left on my list to check off. If leaving this place with Mercer helps him understand how much he means to me, then that’s what I want to do.
