“And you’re okay with that?” Rhett asked. “Given how you feel about her?”
I rolled my eyes. “What the hell are we… girls? I’m not talking about my feelings with you assholes.”
Jake laughed, nudging Rhett with his elbow. “I know, man. You’re getting soft. Briar’s got you so whipped.”
“Look who’s talking,” Rhett said, making an impressive whipping sound at Jake. “Dee’s got you wrapped around her little finger.” He extended his pinky, twirling it in Jake’s face.
Jake shoved his friend’s hand aside, scowling at him. “Get out of my face before I knock you on your ass.”
Living in L.A. made me miss the camaraderie of our small hometown. I hadn’t grown up with Jake or Rhett, but coming from the same place, knowing the same people, having deep roots that went back generations, made it feel like I’d known them my whole life. They got me in a way city boys never could have.
“So, when are you guys tying the knot?” Rhett asked.
“The sooner the better,” I said, raising the grill to flip her burgers. I couldn’t miss the amused glance Jake and Rhett exchanged, so I added, “You know, just because we’ve got so much to do around here before she starts filming.”
“When does she go to L.A. to firm up the details?” Jake asked.
“Um, next month, I think she said.” And I was already chastising myself because I knew I was going to miss her like crazy.
“You going with her?” Rhett asked.
I shook my head. “Nah, too much to do around here. And I need to get that old barn ready.” I shrugged. “Apparently barn weddings are a thing now, so Gia wants to have the wedding here.”
Rhett turned around, checking out my 100-acre spread. “Dude, you know you’re sitting on a gold mine here, don’t you? Gia’s right. This could be an amazing spot for weddings and events. You’ve got the coin to dump into it and it would give you something to sink your teeth into, running a new business.”
“Yeah,” Jake chimed in. “And you’ve said you can’t see yourself farming for the rest of your life. This way, you could still hang on to the place that meant so much to your family without being tied to livestock.” He grinned. “Unless that’s your thing.”
Trying to hide my smile, I said, “You’re an idiot.”
My gaze drifted to the little guest house where my mom and grandad had lived while she was growing up. The manager, who’d helped my dad run the place for the past seven years, lived there with his family now. They had two little girls and I knew they loved living here. If I turned my farm into the kind of business Gia imagined I’d probably have to phase out the huge crops and livestock, which would mean Johnny would be out of a job. I couldn’t do that to him and his family.
“You’re thinking about it,” Jake said, raising his bottle. “I can tell.”
“No, man. That’s not for me. Big parties, loud music, catered affairs, I left that shit behind when I left the city.” I plated the burgers while Duke hovered, hoping to catch a crumb. I couldn’t blame him, they smelled incredible. “This quiet life suits me just fine.” I hadn’t always felt that way, but long days and nights with Gia were suddenly making the country life seem a hell of a lot more palatable.
“Must’ve been a shock at first,” Jake said. “Moving back here from L.A.”
My gut clenched when I thought about the mess I’d left behind. “Getting out of there was just what I needed to get my head on straight.” And seeing Gia again gave me clarity. For the first time in years my life started to make sense.
“Oh yeah?” Rhett asked. “Didn’t sound like things were so bad there. You made a shitton of money. Probably had more than a few girlfriends, huh?”
It felt like a gut punch when I thought of the last girl I’d been with in L.A. It started out casual and within a couple of months I was in way over my head. Gia asked me if I’d had any serious relationships while I lived in the city and I’d said no. I assumed she meant had I been in love. I hadn’t. But I should have clarified, because that last relationship re-defined what serious meant to me.
Gia walked up behind us and nuzzled Duke’s nose before patting him on the head. “You’re such a good boy.”
Thinking about my past and the mistakes I’d made… I wondered if I should confess to Gia or leave the past where it belonged so I could focus on a future with her?
She looked up, her smile fading when she saw my expression. “Hey, you okay?”
I swallowed, nodding. It was tough to get words out when my gut was churning. I was pretty sure Gia had secrets too. We all did, right? She couldn’t hate me for not telling her every little detail about my past… could she?
Curling her hand around my cheek, she looked into my eyes. “Joel, you okay?” Her voice was low, serious.
Rhett and Jake were immersed in conversation and had turned their backs on us, but I could hear their low voices reminding me we weren’t alone. This wasn’t the time or place to get deep with Gia. I could put it off, man up later… or not.
“Yeah, sure.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek. “All good, babe. You need help bringing stuff out from the kitchen?”
She frowned, like she was trying to read my mind. “No, I’ve got it, thanks.”
