“So handsome, Hayes,” Alma tells me, a little slur to her words as she pats my cheek. “Go dance. Cathia needs someone to help her loosen up.”
“Mom,” Cat growls, and we all laugh.
“Hayes, I have to say one thing before you two go off.” Her father, Juan, clamps a hand on my shoulder and I gulp down a bit of nerves. “I know that officially only Vaughan is our son-in-law, but you boys have always been like family. I just want you to know you’re part of the Villalobos family, too, and we sure do love you kids.”
Juan sways a little and his eyes are slightly glassy, the effects of too many drinks becoming evident. And like my dad, he seems to get emotional when the alcohol takes over.
“Right back at ya, Mr. Villalobos. You’ve always been a second home to us McCallan boys and we appreciate it.” Heslides his hand down my shoulder and grips mine, giving it a firm shake and a crooked grin.
“Go have fun. Te amo, mi hita.” He kisses Cat’s cheek and she rolls her eyes.
I lead us to the middle of the dance floor and pull her flush to my body. The smell of her lavender shampoo fills my lungs and now I’m afraid that every time I smell it, I’ll grow fucking hard thinking of her and the way she looked coming on my fingers in the shower this morning.
“I’ve got you for three whole minutes, plus or minus.” I tip her chin up, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Why are you avoiding me, Cat?”
“I’m not avoiding you,” she tries to deny, but I throw an arched brow and knowing look at her. “Okay. Fine. I have been. Last night was alot. I’m still trying to digest it all and come to terms with how I feel.”
My nostrils flare with a hot and heavy breath. “Do you regret it?”
“No. Not at all. It’s just…this is not the right time to be in a situation like this.”
“You’re right,” I agree and spin her around. “We should definitely wait until after Cami and Vaughan have had some time to soak up being newlyweds. I don’t want to steal their thunder.”
“Hayes,” she frowns. “I don’t mean right time as in our location. I mean right time as in our lives.”
I freeze, stopping us mid step. “What? Why? We’re both single, we know we are compatible in every way, and we know everything there is to know about each other. Those are the qualities that make for the best relationships.”
She tries to step back and pull away from me, but I refuse to let her go. “We’re friends. Our families have been friends fordecades. Our brother and sister are now married. Doesn’t that seem weird to you?”
“No. Why would it? We’re not related, Cat. It’s not like dating my step-sister. Although, if I had a step-sister like you I wouldn’t object.” She smacks my chest and I start moving us across the dance floor again. “I’m serious. What’s so wrong about you and I?”
Her eyes fall to my chest and I can feel her heart pounding. The wheels are spinning and I hope they are steering her in my direction.
“Maybe…maybe we can try.” I perk up with stars in my eyes. “But we have to keep it a secret. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, especially if it doesn’t work out.”
I’m instantly deflated. “If that’s the only way to have you, then I’ll take it…for now. But Cat, the minute you realize you’re in love with me, I’m taking a billboard sign on the side of the freeway.”
She laughs and I twirl us around the dance floor, Cat in my arms and happiness in my heart.
5
CATHIA
The smell of burgers on the grill and the sound of happy people fill the air. The Fourth of July has always been at the top of the list for me. Sure Thanksgiving and Christmas are always the fan favorite, but there’s just something about sitting outside, laughing with friends and soaking in summer nights and exploding fireworks. It all just makes my heart happy.
“Daddy, let me get you another one. You sit.” I take the beer bottle from him before he has time to argue, and kiss his cheek.
I toss the bottle in the recycle bin and make for the beer trough when I hear the house phone ringing.
“Cam. Your house phone is ringing. Want me to answer it?” I shout to her.
She nods and mouths “yes, please” and I step in through the back doors and over to where the phone sits. They really only get calls on their home phone if it has something to do with the ranch, so I know she’d want to know.
I grab the receiver and answer, “McCallan Ranch,” but I don’t hear what is said on the other end because the phone is ripped from my hold and set on the base.
A large hand with calloused fingers wraps around my wrist and tugs me away from the phone and into a dark niche.
“Hey–” a hand gets clamped over my mouth and my eyes grow wide.
