“Text that to me, please,” I asked.
We had lunch at a charming restaurant by a lake and ate while deer browsed in the woods. Afterward, we split off, and Keston and I walked with Grady and Lauren.
“Have you decided when the wedding will be?” I figured Grady would want to have it soon.
Lauren stared out at the lake. “As soon as possible. My mom isn’t well, so I want to make sure she’s able to enjoy herself. I just have to coordinate with my sisters. Annabella lives in Connecticut and Dolores in North Carolina. Neither could get away for this weekend—Belle is away on business, and Dolores is sick, so we’ll have our own get-together next week. But to answer your question, we were talking about maybe end of January or beginning of February. Not Valentine’s Day because that’s too gimmicky.”
Grady put his arms around her. “I’d marry her tomorrow. It doesn’t matter to me. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
It was sweet to see a couple so happy and in love. In the distance, I saw Weston and Brenner by the woods, walking hand in hand. Brenner caught Weston by his neck, and as they kissed, I couldn’t help watching and being envious. I’d finally come to the realization that this life—coupledom, familiarity, love—was what I desired. Coming from an irrevocably broken home, I’d had no one to model my behavior on and had spent the past twenty years finding solace and comfort in strangers. No more.
Keston nudged my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” My automatic answer, but was it the truth? Could someone whose mother had abandoned him because she’d been bored ever be okay?
“You’re a pretty bad liar.” Keston reached for my fingers and tangled his with mine.
“And you would know, right?”
His lips thinned. “You’ve heard my story. I have a right to be.”
“So do I.” The unexpected emotional state I was in caused the words to tumble from my lips, and I instantly regretted it. We were having fun, nothing heavy.
We locked eyes, and he squeezed my hand. “Looks like we have some talking to do.” My attempt to pull away was met with a bone-crushing grip. “Nope,” he murmured. “No fucking way.”
It didn’t matter. I’d had a lifetime of hurt that would take more than one night of talking.
“Sure. Whatever you want.”
Grady and Lauren finished with their purchases, and as Grady loaded the bags in the car, she posed a question to our group. “How about stopping at a winery? There’s a great one only about a ten-minute drive from here. Does that sound good to all of you?”
“You’re the bride-to-be, Lauren,” I called out. “What you say goes.”
She blew me a kiss and elbowed Grady. “You hear Bailey? He’s my new BFF. I’ll text you all the address.”
Laughing, we got into our cars, and I started the engine. Keston remained quiet until we drove into the winery’s parking lot. “I meant it, Bailey. You know my backstory. I know nothing about yours. Only what I assumed.”
“Which is what? No, let me.” I gripped the steering wheel. “Mommy and Daddy loved me, we had plenty of money, and I never wanted for a single thing. Privileged and pampered. Am I right? Well, guess what?Buzzzzz.You’re wrong.” I opened the door and walked away, and he scrambled out to follow me.
“Yeah? How?”
We were a few yards away from the rest of the group, who’d gathered at the entrance. Lauren had a guide waiting for us.“I’m not doing this here, Keston. Not now, in front of everyone, during Lauren and Grady’s party. It’s their weekend.”
“Then later. Or after we leave. Next week. Whenever. Because you’re gonna tell me. I can wait.”
He walked away, leaving me wondering what I was doing.
Chapter Fifteen
Keston
I must be a damn fool.
Bailey had been pretty adept at skipping around any discussion of his personal life, and the more I watched him slip and slide, the more I wanted to know.
I could admit it. I was interested in him. I mean, that was obvious. The sex was off the chain, explosive and intense. And waking up with him next to me was…very nice. Bailey was a snuggler and into touching. I’d never appreciated the clingy type, but he fit perfectly by my side. I liked the way he challenged me with his smartass mouth, and I enjoyed shutting it up with my lips over his even more. Plus, he was a fantastic kisser, and he sucked my dick like it was his favorite fucking flavor of Tootsie Pop.
Shit. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was crazy about the guy.
