I gave a nervous laugh. “Well, no sex scandal here. I’m marrying Gray’s son.”
Opie shrugged. “You say that like I should care. I don’t know Gray’s son, but from Bristlecone’s finest rumor mill, he’s standoffish and not much of a nice guy.”
“That’s hardly a reason to encourage a sex scandal between me and his father.” Though I knew where to go if I needed someone on our side. “Sorry to disappoint you, Opie.”
He heaved a sigh. “I guess. How are the wedding plans coming along, then?”
“Good.” Except I’d done nothing but make the save-the-date cards. How could I spend Gray’s money on a wedding that might not happen? Carter was having the time of his life in the Caribbean cheating, and I was fooling around with his dad.
Such a wonderful couple we are.
Seeing that picture of him with the guy had flipped a switch inside me. For the first time, I’d acknowledged the truth. Carter had no intention of being faithful to me. He probably never was. But that wasn’t even the worst part. He didn’t treat me right. Not the way Gray did. Maybe I was out of line by hooking up with his dad, but I couldn’t even care. Everything inside me craved how Gray looked at me and touched me.
“Just good?” Opie said. “That doesn’t sound so promising. If you need any help, let me know. Too bad I can’t be the stripper at your bachelor party. It’s been a while since I’ve shaken my ass in someone’s face. Other than Daddy’s.”
“And you never will.” Lawson walked into the living room, his voice laced with amusement and warning. He lowered his lips to Opie’s ear. “This ass is mine alone.”
I swallowed.
Gray had come in behind Lawson. His gaze didn’t waver but stayed strong and steady on me, a look that held heat, a promise, a secret shared.
“Law, it seems you have your hands full,” Gray said. “Ozzie and I have plans. We should go.”
Lawson straightened from teasing Opie and smiled at me. “It’s nice seeing you again, Ozzie.”
“You too, Lawson.”
“If you need help with the wedding, don’t forget to call me,” Opie said. “Here, take my number.”
We exchanged numbers, and I felt bad for promising to call him about a wedding I was certain wouldn’t happen.
“Don’t bother walking us to the door.” Gray shook his head. “I think Law has plans for you, Opie.”
“You do?” Opie twined his arms around his husband’s neck. My last glimpse of them was Opie’s legs around Law’s waist as the rancher tumbled him to his back on the long couch.
As soon as we were outside, Gray placed a hand on my back and pulled me closer to him. “You okay? You seemed a bit flustered when I entered.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
What was the sense of bringing up Opie’s question about the kiss? I didn’t want to ruin the evening.
The setting sun painted the sky with shades of pink and orange, offering a stunning backdrop I could get lost in.
“Ozzie.”
“Hmm?”
“You’ve stopped walking.”
“The sunset,” I whispered. “It’s so beautiful when it hits the land, Gray.”
For a few seconds, we stood side by side in comfortable silence as we watched nature take its course. The wind gently ruffled our clothes and tousled my hair, but neither of us made a move to break the tranquility.
“You really enjoy watching the sunset?”
“Of course. Who wouldn’t?” I found his hand and clutched it.
“Let’s go.” He tugged, and I hurried along with him to the truck.
