“Aurelie!”Paige hissed at her, shushing and rocking Maddie.
“It’s you,” Jace said, a smug smile tugging at his full, pink lips in a way that only served to enrage Aurelie further.“I thought you must live around here.”
When his gaze traveled down her body, Aurelie almost tossed the remainder of the wine on his expensive, white, button-down shirt.Like the rest of him, it didn’t fit in with the ruggedness of the place.
That’s not true.He looks like he belongs more than you do.Look.
Aurelie ignored her subconscious but couldn’t deny the fact that it was right.In fact, Brad and Owen had almost-matching shirts—albeit in different colors—and worn-in blue jeans on for dinner, as if the three men had collaborated on “rustic chic” outfits.Paige appeared cut from aMagnoliacatalog, in white linen pants and a teal top, and even Sophie had donned a spring sundress with blue and violet flowers.
Only Aurelie was in a red and yellow island getup that was too bright, too much for this place.She just should have stayed in her jeans; maybe then she’d fit in better.How hadn’t she noticed that before?
The room went silent, the only sounds those of the ambient music still playing overhead and Maddie’s muffled cries at Paige’s breast.Aurelie felt her friends’ gazes on her and turned to Paige, who looked disappointed.
“You don’t understand who this is.This, this—” she started, her voice shrill.She waved her hand frantically at him.
The actor extended his hand, took a step toward her.Her pulse sped up, and her stomach did the flippy thing again as she caught a whiff of his cologne that exuded wealth and masculinity.She shoved down the heat that rose from her stomach, wanting to simultaneously grasp the strong, soft hand in front of her, examine it, let it touch her…
And slap it away at the same time.He unnerved her, unraveled her senses in a way that worried her more than her visa status or her father’s release.
“Jace Michaels,” he said, his smile now showing off a set of perfectly white, straight teeth with a small gap between the front two.
“Michaels?As in—” Aurelie was rarely surprised, but to find out that sweet Mr.Michaels was this guy’s father left so many questions unanswered.
“As in the owner of the ranch next door, the former Banberry neighbor,andthe first guy Paige kissed in kindergarten.”
“To be fair, I only kissed you so you’d give me my doll back.”
“Oh, don’t think I wasn’t aware.”
“Ah, you’rethatJace,” Owen said.“Nice to meet you, man.You’re famous in our house for more reasons than your latest release.”
They all laughed, and Aurelie felt like she’d missed something vital, something that would let the final puzzle piece fall into place.
In any other circumstance, Aurelie would be impressed by the kindness of this stranger and the easy way he fell into step with her family.But knowing what she did…
“Nice to meet you, too.You’ve joined a helluva family.The Connors are pretty special.”
Aurelie agreed.Not that she’d give him the satisfaction.
Ugh, he’s so…
Adorable, she thought before she could help herself.
“I don’t care who you kissed or when,” Aurelie interjected, though as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she found she did indeed care.Or at least her blood pressure indicated as much.She shook it off.“You need to tell them why you’re really here.Now, or I will.”
Paige and Sophie balked, but she didn’t care.They’d understand soon enough.This wolf in a Chris Hemsworth sheepskin was here to destroy the lives they’d all worked so hard to build.She’d be damned if she was going to be nice to the man.
Paige stood, handed Maddie to Owen, and stormed over.Aurelie had never been at the receiving end of that look, but she’d always understood how formidable Paige was when she wanted something.
“I’m sorry for my friend, though I’m happy to see you’ve already met Aurelie,” she said, burning Aurelie with a scalding look from beneath furrowed eyebrows.“She’s not normally so rude.Speaking of, we’re so sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.My dad was a…” Jace seemed lost for words.
“Damn good rancher,” Brad offered.
“Kind soul,” Paige chimed in.Jace nodded to both, but Aurelie prided herself on her ability to see through patients’ words and to the heart of what brewed beneath the surface.There was something else there.
“Jace, why don’t you join us for dinner?We’ve got a lot to catch up on,” Paige said.She snatched the two glasses from Aurelie and spun on her heels, nodding to Jace to follow.
