Anger burned hot in my chest. "Seems to me he's applying himself just fine if you're trusting him with million-dollar deals and major partnerships."
The table went silent. My face flamed but I pushed forward. "I mean, you wouldn't risk that kind of money and the ranch's reputation on someone who wasn't good at their job, would you?"
Jolene blinked at me, clearly not used to being challenged. Ward made a sound that might have been approval or might have been a grunt, hard to tell. Hudson grinned into his wine glass.
Hunter's hand tightened on my knee, and when I glanced at him, warmth and gratitude shone in his eyes.
What was I doing? This wasn't my fight. I was here for a paycheck, not to get involved in his family drama. But the words were already out there, and from the way Hunter's hand tightened on mine, there was no taking them back.
"Well," Jolene said finally, recovering her composure. "That's certainly one way to look at it."
"It's the only way to look at it, Mama Massey," Kendall jumped in brightly, bless her heart. "Hunter's been absolutely wonderful helping us navigate all the venue contracts for this wedding! I would've been lost without him explaining all those clauses and negotiating better terms! He saved us thousands of dollars on the ballroom rental alone!"
The tension thankfully broke, and the rest of dinner passed in a blur of toasts and small talk. Laverne held court at another table, her distinctive laugh carrying across the ballroom. May circulated constantly, phone capturing every moment. I caught her snapping pictures of Hunter and me—his hand on mine, the way we leaned toward each other, how he watched me when I wasn't looking.
By the time dessert arrived—miniature versions of tomorrow's five-tier cake complete with tiny sugar flowers—my feet ached from heels I wasn't used to and my face hurt from smiling.
"You ready to escape?" Hunter murmured in my ear, breath warm against my skin.
"God, yes."
We made our excuses and headed for the elevator. The moment the doors closed, cutting us off from everything, I sagged against the wall.
"That was exhausting."
"You were amazing." Hunter faced me in the small space, suddenly very close. "No one's ever defended me to my mother like that."
"I meant it. You obviously know what you're doing, otherwise they wouldn't trust you."
His voice went quiet, vulnerability clear in his tone. "Thank you. For seeing me as more than just Hudson's screw-up brother."
I hadn't meant to get involved. Hadn't meant to care whether his mother respected him. This was supposed to be simple—show up, smile for his family, collect my money, go home. But nothing about tonight had felt simple.
The elevator dinged before I could respond, which was good because I had no idea what to say to the raw emotion in his voice.
Inside the room, reality hit. One bed. Two strangers who'd met three days ago. This arrangement made sense in theory. In practice, with him ten feet away and my heart doing stupid things, it felt a lot more complicated.
"I'm going to change," I said, taking my pajamas and fleeing to the bathroom.
When I came out in sleep shorts and a tank top, Hunter was already in bed, covers pulled to his waist. Shirtless. Because apparently the universe had opinions about testing my self-control.
"Plenty of room," he said, patting the other side. "And I promise I don't snore."
"You better not." I climbed in carefully, staying far on my side of the massive mattress.
He reached over and turned off the lamp.
Darkness wrapped around us. Silence except for breathing and the distant sound of music drifting up from the ballroom downstairs. The bed was huge, but I was hyperaware of every movement he made—the rustle of sheets when he shifted, the sound of his breathing starting to even out.
"Dixie?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks again. For tonight. For defending me."
"You're paying me. Least I can do."
"Still. I'm glad you said yes to this crazy idea."
