Page 44 of Make Her Mine

I think I need to help Harlow understand a few things before I worry about what everyone else believes.

We pull up the restaurant five minutes later.

Harlow, of course, lets herself out of the truck without waiting for me, but I take her hand as we walk toward the front of the restaurant.

For a split second she starts to pull away, then sighs. “You’re a hand holder, huh?”

I’m actually not. To me holding hands is something couples do when they’ve been together for a long time. My mom and dad do it. Phoebe and Joe Spencer do it. Kaelyn and Carver do it. But I don’t know any of my friends in newer relationships who do.

It indicates a long-time connection and comfort to me for some reason.

But holding Harlow’s hand feels natural. So I intertwine our fingers and say, “Yup.”

I think I do it to annoy her. But when she curls her fingers against my hand, I realize the truth—I like touching her and this is one of the only ways I get to. And I’ve got a limited time to do it.

I hold the door, letting her step in before me—resisting the urge to tap, or squeeze, her ass as she does—and simply give Cindy, the hostess a smile as we walk past. Our family table will be easy to find. It will be one of the biggest in here tonight, and probably the loudest. It will also be in the best location. We’re sitting with one of the owners after all.

Levi and Joe Spencer own the place. Neither of them is a chef or even really a foodie. We’ve converted them both to fried chicken, chili, great steaks, and other classic Nebraska food. They both love runzas. But they grew up in the hospitality business in Las Vegas and when they were discussing business endeavors that would help the town, a restaurant seemed like an obvious choice.

The Blue Stone is much less glitzy than anything the Spencer family owns in Vegas. It is a small-town steak house and event space, providing a place for big parties, anniversary celebrations, even wedding receptions, and the annual prom dinner for Sapphire Falls High School. But it is as warm and friendly a gathering place as Dottie’s is. The Blue Stone serves everything from steaks and seafood to gourmet burgers and a fancy grilled cheese.

My whole family is already here as is Kaelyn’s. They occupy a long table near the windows that overlook the rolling hills to the west where the sun is beginning to dip closer to the horizon making the summer sky a pretty pinkish orange.

Phoebe and Joe and my parents have been friends for years. My dad and Phoebe went to high school together. My mom and Phoebe became friends almost as soon as my mother moved to Sapphire Falls. Phoebe Spencer is a bright, friendly, funny woman who everyone loves.

Joe first showed up in Sapphire Falls actually pursuing another woman. Nadia is one of the lead scientists for my father’s company. She and Matt Phillips have been married as long as all of our parents. I don’t know all of the details, but Phoebe was supposed to help Joe get Nadia back. Instead, Phoebe and Joe fell in love.

My mom and Phoebe are sitting at one end of the table with Joe and my dad. My mom and Phoebe are acting as if they haven’t seen each other in years, heads huddled close together, laughing and talking. The truth is, they’ve probably already talked three times today.

They are thrilled that they are soon to have their children as in-laws.

Graham, Ginny, and Kaelyn’s two brothers, Elliot and Noah, are also already here. Her sister Gillian won’t be home for a couple more days.

Everyone is talking and laughing. Our families have always been close. Which is what makes it interesting that as soon as Harlow and I arrive at the table, everyone stops talking and turns to face us.

I don’t think I have ever made an entrance like this with these families.

I give them all a look. “Hey, everyone.”

Phoebe gives us a sparkling smile. “Hi, Jefferson. Harlow.”

Okay, so my mom has filled everyone in on the situation I take it.

I pull the chair out next to Ginny and nudge Harlow into it. I sit next to her. “Are we late?”

Of course we’re not, they just showed up early, so everyone would be here when we walked in.

“You look gorgeous,” Ginny tells Harlow.

“Thanks. This is the first time I’ve worn this dress,” Harlow shoots me a little grin. “Thanks for letting me come,” she says to Kaelyn.

“Of course,” Kaelyn laughs. “This—” She waggles a finger between me and Harlow. “—is way more interesting than us getting married.”

Harlow shakes her head. “We’re not trying to upstage you. But thanks for going along with it.”

“Trust me, we’re enjoying it,” Carver says, giving me a grin.

I sit back in my chair, resting my arm behind Harlow. With my index finger, I trace a wiggling line over her upper back. Goosebumps erupt over her skin, and she turns to look at me quickly.

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