Page 86 of Hold the Line

I smiled, trying to feel it. “Let’s hope. If there are, I’ll send them home with Hannah and Remi.” I winked. “Do you think I can call it my engagement present, or is that too gauche?”

She snorted a laugh and stole another cookie. “You’ve made all the desserts for their party. I’m quite sure that’s going above and beyond the call of duty.” She angled herself closer and dropped her voice. “Now, where is that handsome man of yours? I was looking forward to seeing you two together again.”

My stomach dropped like an anvil. It had done that each and every time I’d been asked that question tonight. I had always been comfortable being on my own, and I would have been fine now if I was able to share a true, valid reason Deacon wasn’t with me, but I didn’t have one. Oh, he’d given me excuses, and I’d tried my hardest to believe him, but I’d never been great at lying to myself. If he’d wanted to be here, he would have found a way.

His absence spoke a thousand words without him even opening his mouth.

I was all in with this man, and it seemed he was keeping one foot out the door. When we were together, it felt like we were building a future. I’d thought he was on the same page, but now, I wasn’t sure.

Not sure at all.

Margot raised an eyebrow, and I realized I hadn’t answered her. “Oh…well, he’s—”

She perked up, focusing on something over my shoulder. “There he is, and even more handsome than I remembered.”

I whirled around, and my lungs seized at the sight of Deacon prowling toward me with Hailey nipping at his heels. He didn’t stop until he reached me, slid his arm around me, and gently pulled me against him. Dropping his chin, he murmured, “I’m sorry I’m late, sugar,” then firmly pressed his lips to mine, not letting go until my heart thundered in my ears and my fingers curled into his button-down.

Only then did he pull back, his eyes darting between mine. “I’m sorry, Phoebe,” he whispered.

I nodded, forgiving him in an instant. “You’re here. That’s what matters,” I whispered in return.

Then it registered he was wearing a button-down. I pulled back to look at him. Starched dress shirt, dark blue jeans, and cowboy boots—I hadn’t known he’d owned clothes like these, let alone had seen him wearing them. “Wow, you’re handsome.”

His mouth quirked. “Trying to keep up with my gorgeous girl.” He took a long, slow perusal of me. My dress was flowy until it hit my waist, where it nipped in nicely, and the square neckline dipped low enough to show the rounded tops of my breasts. Finally, his eyes claimed mine again, vivid with appreciation. “Love you in pink, Phoebe.”

“And I just love you.” In my relief and excitement at his presence, seeing him all dressed up for the occasion, the words just tumbled out. I meant them, but I hadn’t intended to say them at this moment.

Deacon blinked at me. “Phoebe, I—”

“Phoebe!” Hailey cried, launching herself at me. She wrapped her arms around me from the side, her head hitting my shoulder. “This place is crazy. Did you really grow up here?”

Laughing, I let go of Deacon’s shirt to hug his sister. “This is my grandparents’ house. Mine is down the road. You’ll have to come back during the sunlight hours, and I’ll take you on a tour. I’m still trying to get Deacon on a horse. Maybe we can make a day of it.”

Margot chittered and pressed her hands together beneath her chin. “Oh my, you must get that man of yours on horseback. There aren’t too many things sexier than a cowboy.”

Hailey wrinkled her nose. “Wow, I don’t want to think about my brother being sexy.”

That made Margot laugh. “You’re a doll.” Then she held her hand out to Hailey. “Want to come with me? I’ll show you where the good food is, and we can let these two have a moment.”

Deacon’s gaze bored into the side of my face as I watched them go. When we were alone, he jerked me against him, putting his mouth to my ear.

“Is there somewhere we can be alone?”

My heart skipped a few beats. “There is.” I took his hand. “I’ll show you.”

His hand was tight around mine as he followed me through the house. Most people were outside, so we were able to avoid being seen.

I led him into the attached garage and flicked on the lights. My grandad was serious about his vehicles and workshop. His garage was more of a showroom and body shop with six parking spots, a lift, and every tool anyone could possibly need stored neatly in gleaming red cabinets.

There was also no reason anyone would come out here during the party.

My breath caught at the sound of the door closing and the lock clicking into place. I spun around to face Deacon, his hand still gripping mine. His brow furrowed over an intense gaze so heavy it felt like a weight pressing into me.

“Hi,” I whispered.

He tugged me closer, his free hand carving into the back of my hair. “Say it again.”

I knew what he wanted, but my mouth was suddenly dry, and those three words weren’t as slippery as they’d been a few minutes ago.

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