Relief and disappointment washed over me in tandem as Zane moved to my side and reached for my hand once more—guiding us through the grassy designated parking lot and toward the sound of a live band drifting from behind the house.
“So, what do you wanna do first?” he asked, looking down at me with a pleasant spark in his eyes.
“Eat,” I said, unashamed yet thankful for the distraction. “I’m so hungry I might wipe out the whole buffet table.”
He chuckled. “Not gonna lie, that would be impressive.”
I laughed at that, but as we rounded the corner of the house and the party came into full view—the string lights, the band, and “the barbeque”—I was suddenly eating my words.
The buffet table stretched out like it went on for miles—barbecue pork, smoked chicken, brisket, cornbread, corn on the cob, and just about every southern side dish you could imagine.My jaw fell slack at the sight. Honestly, I’d seen restaurant buffets with less food, and this was somebody’sbackyard. Texans really didn’t mess around.
Zane and I moved along the line slowly, piling our plates as the scent of mesquite and spice curled through the air. By the time we found an empty picnic table, the sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows over the yard. I slid onto the bench and set my plate down.
Zane placed his plate next to mine and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. “Sweet tea?” he asked.
“Please. Extra ice.”
He nodded and walked off, leaving me with a heaping plate and the hum of conversation around us. I was just about to take a bite of my pulled pork sandwich when a voice interrupted.
“Excuse me. Is anyone sittin’ here?”
I looked up to see a tall, stunning blonde standing beside the table. Her voice was syrupy sweet, dipped in southern charm. Everything about her said boutique and blowout—perfectly curled hair, flawless makeup, and a white sundress that probably cost more than my entire outfit combined. Her nails were French-tipped, and her open-toe sandals had a tall, pointy heel. At a barbecue. In the grass.
“Help yourself,” I said, gesturing across from me.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling as she gracefully sat down. “My boyfriend’s still in line. I told him I’d scout out a seat.”
She looked around the yard, then fanned herself slightly with one hand. “Whew, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tim’s place this packed.”
I offered a polite nod, trying not to stare but still...curious. She didn’t seem like she belonged here—like she’d taken a wrong turn off the highway and ended up smack in the middle of rural Texas barbecue night. Which, to be fair, was basically my exact story, too.
She turned her attention back to me, head tilting slightly. “You from around here? I don’t recognize you.”
“I just moved here,” I said casually, slicing into my cornbread and spreading a little butter over the top.
Something about that answer made her pause. Her smile stayed, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes anymore. “Why on earth would you move to Tarnation? Heck, me and my boyfriend are only in town for the night, and Ialreadycan’twaitto get out of here.”
I gave a small shrug, trying to keep it light. And plus, I didn’t owe this woman anything.
Her brows lifted slightly, the way people do when they’re trying not to look judgmental but are definitely judging. She let out a soft hum then and glanced around the yard. “It has its charm, I guess. If you like heat, dust, and brooding cowboys who think a long stare counts as meaningful communication.”
That earned a real laugh from me—both amused and curious. “Wow. That feels...specific.”
She sipped her drink, eyes casting a strange glare over my shoulder. “Let’s just say I didn’t exactly leave this place with fond memories.”
My curiosity hit an all-time high as I glanced over my shoulder to follow her line of sight, and there he was.
Zane stood near the drink station, his back half-turned, talking to someone I didn’t recognize. Even from a distance, I could tell it was him. That easygoing cowboy posture of his was practically trademarked.
The woman’s grip on her glass shifted just enough to make me notice. Her shoulders squared, but not in confidence—more like someone bracing for impact.
I turned back to her slowly. “You okay?”
She let out a breath through her nose, like she didn’t want to answer but couldn’t help herself. “Oh, sure. I just wasn’t expecting to seehimhere tonight.”
I didn’t reply right away, but my thoughts started ticking off what she’d said.
Brooding cowboy. Didn’t leave with fond memories. Now bristling at the sight of a man who could only be?—
