Wes and I are holding hands. We’re late. And I’m almost positive our cheeks are still pink from exertion. Convincing his family we’re passionate about one another won’t be difficult. What just happened in Wes’s cabin was as hot and heavy as it gets.
Beau tosses a blackberry in his mouth and meets us halfway. “Dakota, it’s nice to see you again.” He looks questioningly into Wes’s eyes. Wes grins back at him, and based on the widening of Beau’s eyes, I think Wes has just managed to surprise him again.
“It’s nice to see you too, Beau.” I glance from Beau to Wes. “I’m going to find Jessie.” I dart away and leave the two to talk.
Jessie is in the living room, sitting on the couch with her knees pulled into her chest. She’s chewing on her thumbnail, her signature long braid settled on her shoulder.
“Hi, Jessie.”
She startles and looks up. When she sees it’s me, a big smile breaks onto her face. Popping up from the couch, she hurries over and throws her arms around me.
“Dakota, it’s so, so, so good to see you!”
Her exuberance makes me laugh. “You too, Jessie. How are you? You looked like you were knee-deep in thought when I walked in.”
She pulls me to the couch, waving around her free hand as we walk. Her nails are painted turquoise. “Oh, you know. Boy trouble.”
I cluck my tongue and shake my head, as if I know just what she’s talking about. And I do. In the past and in the present. What’s more troublesome than what’s happening between me and Wes at the moment?
Jessie pounces. “What’s going on? Is Wes too much to handle? Please, please, just be patient. I know sometimes he can be dickish, but—”
“Dickish?” Wes stands at the entrance, arms folded in front of his chest.
Jessie frowns. “This is an A and B conversation, Wes, so—”
“So I should C my way out?”
I stifle a laugh. Jessie sticks out her tongue.
Juliette walks in. Suddenly the room feels colder.
“Hi, Juliette.” I smile brightly at her. Chilly reception or not, she’s still Wes’s mom.
“Dakota, what a surprise. I didn’t realize you were joining us today.”
“We just walked over from my cabin,” Wes says, walking over and giving his mom a one-armed hug.
She smiles tightly. “Well, great. I’ll set the table for one more. I was just coming in here to tell you everything is ready.”
Jessie follows her mom. Wes and I walk far enough behind that Jessie and Juliette can’t hear us.
“She hates me,” I hiss.
“She doesn’t hate you. This is just new for her, and sudden. She loved Warner’s wife, Anna, and what she did hurt my mom. She’s going to keep you at arm’s length until she sees that—” He cuts off. “Never mind.”
“Until she sees what?”
But Wes doesn’t answer, and suddenly we’re surrounded by his entire family. Gramps says grace. Warner has his kids this weekend, and I watch him with them. He’s a good dad, helping Charlie fill his plate and reminding Peyton to place her napkin in her lap. Wyatt is quiet, as he almost always is. Of all the Haydens, he is the one I know the least about.
I’ve just taken a bite of food when Beau asks Wes if we’ve set a date. My eyes bulge. Wes blinks. Jessie squeals.
“What?” she shouts. “Date? A date for what?” Her excitement is directed right into my eyes. “Dakota, what’s going on?”
I’m still chewing and attempting not to choke.
“Thanks, Dad,” Wes says sarcastically.
Beau makes a face. “Christ, how can I be expected to keep this shit straight?”
