“Harper.”
“Okay, Harper, here’s the deal.” Turning around in the seat, I face him fully, leveling him with the sternest gaze I can muster. “There are apps that can get you what you want. I can show you. But a sweet boy like you, you want the real thing. Trust me.”
Harper wrinkles his nose in displeasure. “You don’t know me.”
“Trust me,” I repeat.
Harper huffs and throws himself back in the seat. “Whatever.”
“Who are you related to here?”
“I’m Colby’s dad’s sister’s nephew.”
I literally cannot keep up with that. “Are you related to Beau at all?”
Harper actually looks affronted. “You aren’t from the South, are you?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“Okay, well, let me teach you a lesson.” Harper leans forward again, elbows on his knees, and levels me with a shrewd, assessing sort of look. “Everyone here is related in some way or another. Blood doesn’t matter. One time Beau saved me when I fell from a treehouse in the woods and broke my leg. He carried me all the way back to my house, kept my mom from losing her shit. He’s as much a cousin as anyone else.”
Loud claps interrupt us as the rehearsal finishes with Andy and her fiancé giving a kiss that’s presentable for the surrounding family. People mill about chatting, but Beau beelines right for me and Harper, frown still marring his gorgeous face.
“Harper,” Beau says gruffly, a hint of reprimand in his voice.
“Beau.” Harper grins up at Beau. His smile is beautiful and wide. I bet he gets away with just about anything.
“Are you up to no good?”
Harper bats his eyes. This guy is too much even for me. But I can’t help but smile at his antics, which I guess is the point when Harper winks at me.
“I’m up to exactly the right amount of good. You’re looking nice tonight.”
Beau lets out a little “uh-huh,” then wraps his fingers around mine, using them to tug me out of my seat. My stomach goes warm and fuzzy at how easily he handles me.
“Dinnertime, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart?” Harper mutters sourly under his breath just before pretending to gag.
“Bye, Harper,” Beau says loudly, attempting to end the conversation. Only once standing do I notice the sweet golden retriever wearing a service vest sitting sweetly by Harper’s feet. My eyes flick back to Harper, and our gazes meet hard. A deep frown covers his face when he realizes I’ve noticed the dog, his irritated gaze swinging toward the barn.
Beau guides me away with a warm hand on the small of my back. And I let him. The sun sets behind the trees as the lights dangling from their branches glow brightly. Warmth floods through me, both from the company and the sight of a family full of love for one another. Beau leads me to the middle of the table to sit by his parents. He keeps a loving hand on my thigh under the table all through the meal.
CHAPTER FIVE
BEAU
Rain on a wedding day is supposed to be good luck. A loud crack of angry thunder rushes through the house just as we finish getting dressed for the wedding. Summer in Florida can guarantee about two things—rain in the afternoon and oppressive heat with humidity that resembles a dip in a swimming pool. Either way you’re getting wet.
“That doesn’t sound good.” Trevor comes out of his bedroom, dressed in a beautiful navy-blue suit, hair loose and just barely brushing his shoulders. His beauty stills me, just for a moment, until I force myself back into action.
“It’s good luck, isn’t it?”
Trevor smirks, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m not sure that’s actually true.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I let out a frustrated huff. Andy’s harsh cries filter through the phone speakers, causing emotions to ricochet through me. Trevor winces and comes to stand beside me in the kitchen. His presence calms my already alert nerves.
“Beau.” Andy sniffles a few times. “It’s ruined!”
