Marcus followed the group farther into the restaurant, which looked like it used to be an oversized coffee shop. It was an open concept with mostly tables that seated four. They pulled two of them together, and if it hadn’t been obvious that Rose was team Marcus and Wynter getting together, it was made perfectly clear when she ensured they were seated side-by-side.
Wynter sat stiffly at his side as they placed an order for their appetizers and sodas. Then she seemed to listen to Rose and Jason catch up, but Marcus knew her better than that.
She was pretending.
He leaned closer to her and whispered, “Karaoke, huh? I didn’t realize you liked to sing.”
Wynter raised her brows. “There’s probably a lot you don’t know about me.”
“Not for lack of trying,” he said.
She flinched, and good grief if that didn’t make him feel even more guilty.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Me, too,” she whispered. Finally, she lifted those beautiful blue eyes to meet his.
“I’ve missed you, Wynter.”
Her sad smile all but shattered him. “I missed you, too.”
His eyes bounced around her face, drinking her in. He was starved for this woman even though they’d seen each other every day for the better part of a week. “I want to know more about you—the stuff I’ve missed. Tell me everything.”
She scoffed. “That’s a lot.”
“I’ve got time.”
There was something about the way she looked at him then, like she was remembering the way things had been between them. How easy it had been. Then, with a dip of her head, she whispered, “I got a job as a lead entomologist for a company in California doing research on the behavior of bugs.”
“That sounds intense.”
She smiled. “It is.” Wynter went on to describe the reasons she was studying the bugs’ behavior as a terrible rendition ofI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clauscame over the speakers. They both flinched when the singer’s voice cracked, then shared amused glances as she continued the explanation of her job.
“I’m glad you found something you love.”
“It’s great. And the best part is that my company has partnerships all over the country. They were able to find mesomething here, so I didn’t have to stop working. Mostly, it’s research-based, and I can do it from home, which is also good considering how much help Grams needs right now.”
He nodded. “Sounds perfect. I’m so proud of you, Wynter.”
She cocked her head, smiling at him in a way that made the last six years fade away. He could almost believe they were back to being the same old Marcus and Wynter. “Thanks.” She shifted in her seat. “What about you? Working for your brother still?”
“Yeah. But I think it’s about time I start looking into other stuff.”
“Why?”
He thought for a few seconds. “I don’t really have a hand in the dog training. And he’s expanded to the point of hiring other people to do a lot of the ranching side of things. I feel like…” He blew out a breath, his cheeks puffing. “I don’t make much of a difference. I think I want to do something that’s just for me.”
“Makes sense.” Wynter placed a hand over his. It was a gesture that she’d done a thousand times when they’d been younger, but now, it stunned him. It was as if an electrical current flowed between them. A spark igniting the glowing ember that their kiss had left behind. He stared at her hand, wondering if he was imagining his reaction to her.
But then she yanked her hand free of him and placed it in her lap.
“Hey, love birds, you’re up next!”
Both of them startled and glanced toward Rose, who was smirking like she’d caught them doing something untoward.
Wynter scowled at her friend. Isabelle gave him a knowing smirk. Confusion laced the faces of the others present at their table.
“We didn’t sign up for a song,” Marcus said.
