“Oh, please.” Devin rolled his eyes and laughed. “You are obviously a city fella, if you don’t know how small towns are. Weddings and funerals are the biggest events outside of the rodeo, and the local women aren’t going to miss a chance to put the pressure on a likely couple to get married, then take the credit for getting them together. You know the biggest goings-on at weddings and funerals? Gossip and matchmaking. It’s a cycle. Especially in a tiny, relatively poor community like Buffalo Lick.”
Paul tried to imagine being in the middle of Devin’s big, boisterous family, but he couldn’t, not when his own experiences with family were the exact opposite. He wanted to ask if Devin would ever consider him special enough to introduce to the Walker clan, and he was surprised by the depth of his desire to know the answer. They’d barely known each other a week, so he shouldn’t be thinking long-term. Not to mention there was the secret-identity issue.
He was struck by the abrupt realization that he considered Devin special enough to introduce to his parents, to find a way to make a relationship work even if it was long-distance.
He realized he was falling in love, and that was both terrifying and exhilarating.
“Well,” he said, clearing his throat and looking away before Devin could see too much in his eyes. “I can see why you’re careful about who you take home, given those circumstances.”
Devin was silent for a moment, and then he leaned across the counter. “Um… I know we haven’t known each other long, Paul, but… well… if you were interested in coming to Buffalo Lick, I’d really like that.”
Paul snapped his gaze back to Devin’s face and saw a blend of hope and worry there, and his heart thudded against the walls of his chest at the implication behind Devin’s words. He stretched out his hand and curled his fingers around Devin’s, squeezing tightly.
“I’m interested,” he said. He’d have to tell Devin the truth about his own family, and he would, but not tonight. He didn’t want to make things awkward on a professional level since Devin was still supposed to be his liaison for the rest of the cruise. But as soon as the cruise was over, he’d tell Devin who he was. He hoped it wouldn’t change anything between them. The only things he’d withheld from Devin were his real last name and position in the company; he’d been open and honest about everything else.
Devin drew in a breath, his expression registering surprise. But then he smiled, a warm, slow smile full of affection. He turned his hand over beneath Paul’s, lacing their fingers as he leaned in closer, brushed his lips against Paul’s, then pulled back. “All right, then,” he said. “In that case, you get to keep the T-shirt.”
“I’m being gifted with the sacred Buffalo Lick Bisons shirt?” Paul pressed his free hand against his chest in exaggerated shock. “That’s almost enough for me to consider myself betrothed.”
Devin chuckled. “Maybe you ought to try the ribs first,” he teased. “Because if you don’t like the family barbecue sauce, I’m afraid it would mean we’d have to call everything off.”
“No pressure,” Paul said dryly. He stroked the back of Devin’s hand with his thumb as he gazed at Devin, his spirit feeling lighter than it had in years. He didn’t care any longer about how quickly their relationship was moving; this felt right, and he was no longer afraid of rejection—not from Devin. “How long before I can try the ribs so we’ll know if this is fate or a crash-and-burn?”
“I need about ten minutes with the broiler,” Devin replied. He claimed another kiss—this one firmer—then pulled back. “Make sure you eat enough to bolster your strength, Paul Bailey, because I have nefarious plans for you after dinner.”
“That’s all the incentive I need to clean my plate,” Paul said, releasing Devin’s hand with reluctance.
He was looking forward to dinner and those promised baby back ribs, but he was looking forward to dessert even more.
