Colton’s eyes were slightly red; he looked tired, but as perfect as ever.
I stood, deciding I was going to be the overly friendly marketing professional Dennis had hired, rather than the family friend who happened to work with them. “Hello! What are you all up to tonight?”
Dennis leaned back and put his hand on Colton’s shoulder, but before he could say anything, Jimmy stepped in. “I’m sure you heard the rodeo got cancelled. We rarely get a Saturday night together, so we decided to go out.”
“I’m Jo,” Dennis’ wife said, her arms suddenly around me. She had a sturdy, generous figure and carried herself with obvious warmth. I was too surprised to react at first, but finally remembered how to behave and hugged her back. She gave me a tight squeeze before letting me go.
“I’m Allegra, it’s nice to meet you,” I introduced myself as soon as she released me.
She was tall, with brown ringlet curls that brushed her shoulders. Her cheeks were perfectly rosy. Everything about her felt cozy and safe.
She smiled widely, revealing perfect, blinding white teeth. “Oh, Allegra. I have heard so much about you from all these boys! I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to introduce myself. We’re so lucky we’ll get the rest of the season to get to know each other!” Her accent was just as strong as her sons’,making everything she said sound as smooth as butter.
I reached my hand out toward Alan and Dean. “I’ve been wanting to meet you both as well. I’d love to get an interview from both of you sometime if that’s alright!”
Perky corporate Allegra, stay strong. Don’t look at Colton, who looks like he needs a hug…and a kiss…and a-
Dean shook my hand first. “I’m Dean.”
Alan took my hand next. “Alan, good to meet ya.”
“What are you up to tonight, Allegra?” Jo asked.
I took a long breath as I thought of a reasonable reason to be here other than a date, but I was too late. The door opened, and in swept my adoring boyfriend.
He was wearing a brand new black suit with a blue tie. He had his round glasses on, probably because the humidity irritated his eyes enough to take out the contacts. His hair wasshort; he had gotten a haircut since I’d seen him last. His black shoes were shined enough to see my reflection in.
He walked in without reading the room, and his hands found my waist. Before I could introduce him to the six pairs of eyes on us, his lips were on mine, and his tongue was in my mouth. I didn’t close my eyes, shocked by his sudden affection. My face was hot, practically on fire, and I pushed him back.
Harrison didn’t notice my push and smiled at me. “I missed you.”
I gave him a tight smile and threw a glance at the Nashs, who couldn’t seem to take their eyes from the scene he had caused. “Hi, Harrison,” I said quickly. “This is the Nash family.”
He pulled away from me and stood up straight.
“Dennis is on the board of the company that hired me, and his boys are all in the rodeo,” I explained, feeling a pit of guilt in my stomach.
Why did I feel guilty? I hadn’t done anything other than my job.
He held out his hand to Dennis. “Dennis! It’s nice to meet you.” He was doing his perky corporate Harrison act, which suddenly made me hate my own perky corporate Allegra act. “I apologize for that,” he said with a laugh. “You’ll have to forgive me. I haven’t seen Miss Ford in a few weeks.”
“Nash?” The waitress called.
Wonderful timing.
“That’s us!” Jo called, pulling her family away. “Allegra, nice to finally meet you!”
As they followed the waitress away, I noticed Colton glance over his shoulder, catching my wandering gaze. Heoffered a small smile and turned back to his family.
“Ford?”
I took Harrison’s hand, ignoring the lump in my throat, and we followed the host. He was squeezing my hand over and over again. I looked at him, my normally very calm boyfriend was beaming, practically jumping.
“How was the drive?”
“Too long. I couldn’t wait to see you.”
Maybe we should spend more time apart if it made him this affectionate.
