Bryan shrugs.“I invited him.”
“Here?”the same squeak taints my response, and I clear my throat.“You invited him to the cook-off?”
“Yeah, he said he’s a fan of philanthropy and supporting charities, fundraisers, that kind of thing, so I mentioned I’m a fireman and how we’re always looking for more support.Then, he said he’d be happy to contribute if anything ever comes up, so I told him to stop by the chili cook-off.”
“Oh.”My shoulders deflate even more.If that isn’t a logical response, I don’t know what is.If only I could keep my distance from all things Ford-related, then I’d be golden.Alas, here we are.Mere feet away from his freaking father.
Bryan’s hand trembles a little as it grazes my lower back before he tugs me into his side.Is he nervous?I peek up at him, catching his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.He is nervous.Titas must’ve made a real impression on him.Either that, or Bryan’s aware we live in more of a monarchy than most understand, and Titas Harden is the uncrowned king of all of us.It makes sense.Not everyone has moved here from Austin, Texas, like I did.Bryan probably wants to make a good impression on the guy.And me?All I want to do is get the heck out of here.If only Bryan wasn’t pinning me to his side, it’d be a lot easier to accomplish, yet here we are.Waiting.For what, I’m not sure.Bryan to decide whether or not he wants to address the proverbial elephant in the room, who’s striding toward where we’re standing?Personally, I’m more of a blend in kind of gal, but I’m not the one who wants to talk to Titas Harden, now am I?
Ticket in hand, Titas stops in front of the booth where we’re loitering.He drops the ticket into the jar.“One chili, please,” he announces.
The helper dishes him up while I stand stiffly beside Bryan, unsure what to do or say.It’s not like I know him, and I’m sure he has no idea who I am, but still.This feels…awkward, and Bryan isn’t helping.It’s like he can’t decide whether or not he should approach Ford’s dad and thank him for coming, so instead of saying something or walking away and leaving things as is, he’s just…standing here.With me by his side.Yup.This is definitely awkward.I pull out my phone in an attempt to look distracted, or busy, or, I don’t know…something.
“Enjoy,” the person dishing out the chili says.
“Thanks.”Mr.Harden picks up the little cup in my periphery, but stops short.I swear, I can feel his gaze on the top of my head.It’s unnerving as heck.Or maybe he’s looking at Bryan.That would make more sense, wouldn’t it?It’s not like he has any reason to recognize me.I didn’t invite him here.Bryan, on the other hand…
“Looks like you made it,” Bryan announces.“Thanks again for supporting the local fire department.”
“Bryan, right?”Mr.Harden decides.“Thanks for the invitation.There are some great chefs around here.”He lifts the chili in his hand.
“That recipe is actually my girl—” He hesitates.“Friend.My…June.This is June.It was donated by June.”He pushes me an inch forward and squeezes the back of his neck.To be fair, I appreciate his backpedaling because we most definitely are not boyfriend and girlfriend.Heck, we’ve only kissed twice, and only one of those had tongues involved.Not that it matters.It’s just…we’re not official.We’re testing the waters, and having fun and feeling out our chemistry, and… My spine turns to steel.
Now is not the time to be analyzing everything, June.
I offer my hand to Ford’s Dad.“Hi, I’m June.”
“Bryan’s June, yes.”He shakes my hand.It’s icy but firm, just like his stare.“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
“I’m Titas Harden.”
“Of Harden Heights,” I quip.“Your legacy precedes you.”
“So, it does.”He tilts his head, studying me, and holy crap, it’s like looking at an older Ford.My stomach tightens, and my breath stalls.I saw the resemblance before, but now?It’s nothing short of uncanny.The only thing missing is the usual warmth accompanying Ford’s gaze.“You were at the auction, too, weren’t you?”he continues, oblivious to my inner spiral.Recognition sparks in his coal-black eyes.“Yes, I remember now.That was quite the bidding war.”
“Don’t remind me,” Bryan jests.“Not all of us have tens of thousands to throw around.”
“Well, clearly, she’s with whom she belongs.”He tacks on a pointed look at Bryan’s hand resting on my waist.“So, tell me about yourself, June.”
“Uh,” I try to think of something clever, but only come up with the first day of school drivel I’m used to regurgitating.“My name is June Withers.I’m from Texas.I’m currently a dental assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I’m going to HHU so I can become a hygienist.When I’m not working, I’m studying or baking or….”
“Going on dates with my youngest son?”he prods.
Bryan’s stiff chuckle does nothing to cover the blanket of discomfort hovering over our conversation.
I paste on a fake smile.“Uh, only the ones he pays for.”
A low rumble of amusement vibrates up Mr.Harden’s throat.“Ones?As in…plural?”
“Only the one,” Bryan answers for me.
I smile up at him, then turn to Mr.Harden.“Ford’s older brother is dating my friend, Violet.Pretty sure the only reason he bid on me was out of pity, so?—”
“Twelve thousand is hardly what anyone would consider a pity bid, June Withers,” he counters.
So he does remember me.The realization doesn’t exactly leave me feeling very confident.Seems like to me, being as far from this guy’s radar is the way to go.A shiver runs down my spine, my fight or flight instincts rearing like a freaking bronco.There’s something about him.Something I can’t place.All I know is I don’t trust him.I don’t trust him one bit.“Okay, maybe not a pity bid, but as a favor to a friend,” I clarify.“Although, if you want to discuss specifics, we saw Ford around here somewhere.”I look around the large open space, unable to hold Mr.Harden’s icy black gaze for another second.“You’re welcome to ask him his intentions.Not that there are any or anything.Like I said, we’re just friends.”
