I looked around for Jake and didn’t see him. My friends were also absent. So yeah, why had I come again? In that moment, I couldn’t think of a single reason. I was about to make a U-turn and head for my truck when Jake jogged into the tent, a little breathless.
“There you are,” he said, coming to me and resting his hand on my arm. “You left without me.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused. Left where?
His face was flushed, and he stared at me, seeming stumped for a minute, before a grin spread across his face. “Sweetheart, when I ask a woman to a dance, I pick her up.”
“But you didn’t ask me,” I argued. Had I missed something? “You gave me a ticket and told me I’d have fun.”
“And youwillhave fun. Dancing with me.” Before I could say more, he whirled me onto the dance floor. Following his lead was no problem. Figuring out what the evening meant was a different story. He saw this as a date? That surprised and worried me. Dating him while being pregnant with his baby seemed…complicated, especially since we’d yet to talk about what any of this meant. Jake was married to Thorne Ranch, first and foremost, while I was struggling to build my practice. He twirled me around, making me laugh and momentarily forget my concerns.
A little optimistic voice inside me whispered that if it worked out between us, I might be able to have what I’d always wanted. A real partner who I could fall asleep next to every night. We’d raise our child together, maybe even marry.
I was getting ahead of myself.One thing at a time. Enjoy the evening, I told myself,and see where it goes.
“You make dancing easy,” I said when the music slowed, and I was in his arms in the middle of the dance floor.
“You’re a good partner.”
I snorted. “I’m not, but with you, I almost feel graceful.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” he said, looking into my eyes. “You’re beautiful in every way.”
I looked away, unused to compliments like that. I didn’t know how to respond. Did he mean what he said? Or was it just empty flattery? The way he said that, I couldn’t tell for sure.
“I need to get some air. I’ll be back.” I slipped out of his arms and headed for an opening in the tent. He made to follow me, but I saw him get intercepted by his sister-in-law, Amy.
The night air felt cool on my overheated cheeks and the quiet soothed me. The evening was turning out so much better than I’d thought it would, but I still wanted a moment to myself. Jake was currently coming across as everything I’d ever wanted in a man, but how real was that persona?
I didn’t know how long I’d been standing in the shadows outside the tent’s canvas walls when I heard Jake’s voice on the other side of the fabric.
“What’s with you and Julia?” a male voice I recognized as Brian’s asked. “I thought you said she wasn’t interested. That’s not how it looks.”
“Things are different now.” Jake’s voice was low and serious, making me strain to hear. “I like her. A lot. And now that’s she having…it’s different, okay? She’s important to me.”
“Easy, bro, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just surprised to see you together after what you said in the bar is all,” Brian said. “Don’t get your hackles up.”
“I’m not sure we’re together. I asked her to the dance tonight, but it seems that she didn’t realize I meant it to be a date. I went to pick her up and found that she’d already come on her own.”
“Did you make yourself clear?” Brian asked. “Did you say it was a date?”
If Jake answered, I couldn’t hear it. They must have moved away from the tent wall. I stayed out in the night a little longer, staring up at the sky. My heart was pounding.
Did Jake really like me for me? Or was he only trying for a relationship because of the baby?
I replayed the conversation repeatedly in my head, hearing the parts about how he liked me and how I was important to him. Was that enough? That and what seemed to be his dedication to being a good father?
It might be. And I liked him. He could be fun, when he wasn’t bossing me around, and he made me feel good. I hadn’t realized how much until that moment. Stargazing, dancing, kissing. Maybe it was time to take a chance on him. I smoothed my dress, put a smile on my face, and went back into the tent ready to enjoy the rest of the evening.
TWENTY
JULIA
“Julia!” I looked up to see Sofia making her way toward me. She wore a pair of black, wide-leg palazzos with a shimmery top and boots. Her hair was swept into an updo and she looked amazing. I made a mental note to shop for similar attire for me, but in brighter colors. The pants would work for both semi and formal events and I could hide any weight gain easily.
“I’m so glad you decided to come,” Sofia said when she reached me. Following along behind her were Donovan and Mack, both of whom she was attempting to ignore.
“Me, too. Nice outfit. I think I found a new direction for my wardrobe that doesn’t involve skirts or dresses,” I said while Donovan pretended to look at the tent wall and Mack simply glared. “Uh, something going on?” I waved at the testosterone behind her, and she snorted.
