He nods slowly before raising his eyes to meet mine. “You let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your time well spent here.”
I’m not sure if it’s the words or his tone, but he’s stunned me into silence. Recovering as quickly as I can, I say, “I’ll do that. Thank you.”
“All right now, let’s go eat. It’s been a long day and I’m starving.”
The Lodge isa massive barn set on the Sterlings’ property. It’s an open room with durable wood flooring and three massive tables in the center. Banquet tables line one wall with those silver dishes that keep food hot.
It’s fancy—way fancier than I anticipated, and I can’t help feeling like I’m underdressed.
My clothes aren’t dirty like they were working on the ranch, but this space smells like mulled cider and the faintest hint of pine, and I’m pretty sure those are real plates and not the throwaway kind.
I look at my scuffed boots, and even though I look like everyone else, I wish I’d gone home to change. Back in Wyoming, we’d eaten meals away from the main house—fed but not within viewing distance of the people far more important than us.
Times like these, I want to kick myself for being so naïve—for thinking I’d meant anything to Dante in the first place.
I rub the back of my neck, my body prickling with the sensation that someone’s watching me. Honestly, it could be anyone, but really there’s only one person who elicits that reaction in me.
Turning my head, I spot Reid talking to Beau near the entrance to the kitchen. He holds a beer bottle casually in his hand as he nods along to whatever his cousin is saying. Reid’seyes flick to me and even from here, I can see the interest,the want,and the question as to what I’m gonna do about it.
It’s a fair question.
And one I don’t have time to answer because when Elora emerges from the kitchen, everyone hustles to help. Trays of hot food are placed in their designated serving dishes as everyone else lines up.
Plates are passed back and there’s the strangest feeling of comradery.
Offamily.
It makes no sense, being in a room with people I barely know and feeling like I belong. Had I ever really felt like Ibelongedwith Dante? The short answer is no.
But the long answer is a lot more complicated.
He’d always been quick to reassure me anytime I’d given a voice to my insecurities. We were from two different worlds, but none of that seemed to matter when we were tangled together in the sheets.
And maybe that was the problem.
We’d spent more time naked than we had actuallybeinga couple, but I’d been naïve, simply believing that things would work out the way he promised.
“Do you want me to tell you what’s good?” Reid whispers from behind me, his breath hot on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I think I can guess,” I murmur only loud enough for him to hear, because apparently I like playing with fire.
He chuckles, his arm brushing against mine as he points in the direction of the food. “Prime rib, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables—squash most likely—chicken pot pie, and cornbread.”
My mouth waters, and for the first time today it’s not because of him.
Not entirely at least.
“Sounds delicious,” I say, meeting his eyes over my shoulder before trailing my gaze down his body. He shifts on his feet, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
“It is.”
“I hope I can try everything.”
“You should.” He gulps, his lips parting as he blows out a shaky breath. “I mean you can.”
“I really shouldn’t,” I say and his expression falters, but it doesn’t last long when I add, “but I think I’ll regret it if I don’t.”
“Well, we can’t have that.”
