Page 22

“Yes.” Tempest’s throat works. “She sent me a video of them in bed together. My ex called and texted me relentlessly, but I wouldn’t respond. He says it’s all a misunderstanding.”

My mother looks furious. “What a jerk.”

My Granny stands, pushing her chair back abruptly. “I’m glad you broke up. He was no damn good and Floozy sounds batshit crazy.”

“Oh, she is. You don’t know the half of it,” Tempest says.

I’m reeling from everything I’ve heard tonight, reeling from thinking about the depth of hurt Tempest endured. Without thinking, I wrap an arm around her shoulders.

Instead of pulling away, Tempest leans against me. I know she’s keeping up the fakeness, but I’ve never felt something more real than this.

Granny comes around the table and puts her hands on the sides of Tempest’s face. “You beautiful soul. Don’t let that ugliness coat your heart. You’ve got a man by your side who’ll treat you right. And you’ve got his family who’ll love you just as fiercely.”

Still flushed with anger, my mother fans her face. “Lordy, that Floozy needs her ass kicked.”

My father clears his throat. “That ain’t the way people should conduct themselves. I know we don’t know each other well yet, but if your ex shows up again, you call me and I’ll see to it he learns the error of his ways.”

“Thank you for that,” Tempest says.

After my mother brings out a card game, the rest of the night passes quickly. I can’t stop sneaking glances at Tempest during the game and afterward while she chats with my folks.

My heart stirs as I watch her. I’m impressed by her and it’s not just one thing that impresses me. Sure, she’s beautiful. She’s funny. Quick witted. And I’m sitting here wishing all of this was real. That Tempest was mine. That we were going to be a family.

It shocks me to realize that, but it shouldn’t. Some things are inevitable. Two people meant to be together will become magnets drawing toward each other. Even if they don’t realize it.

Granny taps me on the shoulder and motions for me to come with her.

I follow her into her room, and she opens a dresser drawer, then turns holding a ring box. She pushes it into my hand. “This is the diamond your grandfather gave me on our fortieth anniversary, and I want you to have it. For when the time is right.”

“But…” Tempest and I aren’t a couple. We’re not dating. She’s not mine.

I imagine her going back to Lucky River. Meeting another man and my gut twists like I ate too much.

Granny smiles and gives me a little nudge. “You’ll know when.”

I tuck the ring into my pocket and walk into the living room.

Tempest is sitting on the braided rug, her long legs stretched out before her. She’s laughing as my not-much-of-a-talker father is animatedly telling her something.

I watch her in slow motion. For the first time, like someone ripped blinders from my eyes, I see every past interaction between us. Every moment that led my heart to her.

And this is the moment I know I’ve fooled myself for years.

All those times we encountered each other in the past…it was never a coincidence. I was looking for her because I wanted to see her. The spark I thought was dislike…the discomfort I thought was due to the issue between our families was me crushing on her.

I love this woman. I love her madly. I don’t want to be without her.

Chapter 7

Tempest

I didn’t expect the night to go as well as it did. I also didn’t expect I’d drop my breakup story out in the open like I did.

“I sure said a lot to your family about my past,” I say as we’re driving back to my aunt’s house. “I can’t believe I spilled my heart like that.”

Maverick has been quiet since we left. I glance at him and poke his arm. “Too much?”

“Not at all. Now that I know what you went through, I think you were holding too much inside. It’s good to get it all out.”