“I am.More now that you’re here,” she said bravely.
She brushed the beginnings of a curl that fell on his forehead away from his face.
“Really?”She could see the question in his eyes as much as in his word.
“Yes,” she admitted and wished they were alone, but maybe her confession would be easier in a public setting.“I’m sorry about this afternoon,” she said keeping her voice low and refusing to listen to the relentless early training she’d had to keep her gaze lower when talking to a man.“I was overwhelmed.No one had ever been so tender, and I…”
The spasm of pain that skittered across his handsome face stopped her speech.He pulled her close, nearly squeezing her breath.
“I’m sorry.So sorry that you weren’t treated in the way you should have been.I want… I need to.I want you to feel safe with me.”
“I do.”Her voice was muffled against his chest.“I am.”
He pulled back a little, searched her face.
“Hey, this is a group celebration, family celebration,” Cash said interrupting the moment and smirking about it.He had his arm slung around Maddy.“I’m getting married tomorrow.You’re supposed to be paying attention to me, not each other.”
“I did not know you were so needy.”Telford didn’t miss a beat.
“So needy.”Maddy laughed and kissed Cash’s cheek.“His secret’s out.We’re getting married tomorrow, and since you are newlyweds, we understand if you want to take a turn or two around the dance floor before heading back to your room.Your brotherly duty is done tonight.”
“We’ll keep that in mind,” Telford said seriously.
“You better not,” Cash said handing him two fingers of whiskey.“I believe it’s time for the toasts to my married bliss to begin.You’re up first.”
In the end, they stayed longer than Ayana had expected.The group commandeered a few tables and they squished together.Over all the years she’d worked in restaurants, bars, and cruise ships, Ayana had seen a lot of groups celebrating.She’d never once been a part of anything like this.
Everyone took pictures, toasted and videoed the evening as the stories and whiskey was passed around.And while she didn’t pose, exactly, she stopped skulking like a recluse out of each shot.
Her favorite part of the evening—although she’d enjoyed all of it—was dancing with Telford.Boone, Rohan, and Cash knew how to make some moves.Telford wasn’t comfortable, and yet he held her close and his sense of music, the beat, and his athleticism kept them upright and moving in the tight circle the small floor and bigger group of dancers necessitated.
“They found us again,” Cash said as he and Maddy danced by during a Kelsea Ballerini song.
Ayana, enjoying that Telford was singing the chorus softly as he held her, looked around but didn’t see anyone who looked like they were interested in the celebrating couples.
“Although tonight was an easier assignment for them.I was impressed by the press’s ingenuity finding us on the obstacle course with their long lenses, but Rohan’s partners soon cleared them out.Tonight wasn’t as hard of a hunt.Not too much night life in town, but I’ll find most of my entertainment at home,” he murmured against Maddy’s lips and then swung her in a circle.
“Press?”Ayana muttered and missed a step though Telford kept her stable.“Why would the press be here?”
“I’m a big deal,” Cash informed her and then laughed and spun Maddy in another circle when she scoffed and elbowed him.
“Dial it down,” Maddy advised.“Ayana might think you’re serious.”
“I’m a serious man.”Cash’s smile changed subtly, and his moves got a little flashier.
Maddy rolled her eyes.“Watch it, cowboy.I don’t want to get caught mid-tumble.I’m still new to this dance stuff.”
“You’re a natural.”He kissed her forehead and then spun her out and reeled her back in while Ayana speculated who was here from the press—and why.Cash’s upcoming marriage?Bull riding was that big of a deal?She spotted a couple of women and a man angling for various shots of Cash while trying to be subtle.
“Should we get out of here?”Ayana asked, hoping her voice was calm.
She was probably overreacting.No one had any interest in her.The Family was off grid.Except the leaders.Besides she didn’t look the same as she had when she was sixteen.
“Just ignore them,” Maddy said pragmatically.“The press is part of the process.Besides I have footage for the AEBR for this weekend.”
“Which you should have handed off as you shouldn’t be working during your wedding,” Cash reminded her.
“It’s fun.I’m taking pictures anyway so it doesn’t feel like work, and about tonight, no one’s drunk or out of hand so your image should remain squeaky.”
