The man is ridiculous. Abs like granite, shoulders that look built by NASA, hands that are both hugeandsomehow elegant. And yes, there’s a certain uniform photo where a certain…bulgewas hard to ignore.
And okay, yes, I did hearthatrumor back in high school.
The one about… well. You know. The kind of rumor a girl doesn’t repeat in her daddy’s barn.
Maya wiggles her eyebrows. April nods. “What do you know about the sex club around here?”
“Excuse me?” I blink. “Wehaveone?”
“Grant and I have a friend in Chicago who told us about it,” Maya says. “It’s calledMont du Marquette. Also known asClub Masquerade.”
“A sex club named after a missionary,” I quip. “Very on-brand for Tennessee.”
“Marquette was also an explorer,” DJ chimes in from the side and winks at Alex.
I side-eye Maya. “Okay. Why are you telling me this?”
Maya grins. “Because after dinner with your family, we’re all going.”
“Well, that sounds like fun…for y’all. Because I’m not going.”
Alex adds, “And youarecoming, Faith.”
My stomach flips again. But this time, it’s not nerves. It’s heat.
“What’s the dress code?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent.
They all burst out laughing.
“Anything you can imagine,” Maya says. “The world is your oyster.”
Before I can come up with a good excuse, I spot my dad wandering out to the barn with a beer in hand. He leans over the stall gate and scratches my horse behind the ear.
“So… y’all figure out what you’re doing tonight?”
My mouth dries. But Maya, cool as ever, jumps in.
“We’re heading to this barn dance party one town over. Our college friend told us about it.”
She shoots me a look that says:Back me up.
“It’s over in, uh… Van Buren County,” I say, palms slick with sweat.
Oh my God. I justliedto my daddy.
“That’s a bit of a drive.”
“I’m not drinking,” DJ says quickly. “Since I’m training. I’ll keep an eye on everyone, Mr. Easton. Promise.”
Daddy sips his beer, studying DJ like he’s trying to assess his soul. Then he nods.
“Well. Y’all be careful. And have fun.”
He pauses. “But nottoomuch fun.”
“We won’t, Daddy,” I say, forcing a smile.
I mean, it’s just a sex club.
