Page 14 of Wedded to a Wayne

Yes. And can you please make your voice stop doing that thing that makes the back of my thighs tingle?“Not unless you’re uncomfortable.”

“I’ll turn it down.”

I swallow the dreamy sigh with a feeling of horror, because turning down the heat is not slaying a dragon and I need to stop melting every time he asks me a simple question or opens a door.

This isn’t like me at all.

I tried initially, but I can’t even chalk up my behavior around him to his family name, even though I’d been following the gossip on the Waynes for a while now.

Joey and his brother JD loved telling me stories about the two large families—the Finns and the Waynes—and their highly unusual adventures in coupling. At this point, I could probably write a book about them, but it would have to be X-rated and I’d never have the nerve to publish it.

I imagined the Finns as passionate, Irish paragons. The slightly rowdy, disproportionately gay hometown heroes that JD was strangely obsessed with until he met his husband.

And then there were the Waynes. Another large family. More traditionally nuclear with a nearly even mix of handsome black men and strong, brilliant women, all of them named after famous authors. Even before I moved to town, it was this family I was more interested in. Especially after I heard about the Bronte Wayne secret-marriage subplot.

As I’ve said, I’m something of a reality show junkie, so I ate up every bit of it. By the time I started meeting them in person, it felt like I’d known them forever. Conversely, they had absolutely no idea who the weird little Indian chick from the West Coast was and it made things slightly uncomfortable during our introductions.

“You didn’t tell me how Joey handled the news,” he says into the silence.

“I know you were talking to him about it when we got there. He looked worried.”

Breathe, Tani. Talking is also a plus.

“He’s in shock. I’ve never kept anything from him for this long. And I think we accidentally stole his thunder, because I’m pretty sure someone proposed last night or this morning. I’m still not clear on whether it was him or Elliot.”

He offers me a small smile that makes my stomach flutter. “Busy day. My brother-in-law will be happy, at least. I think he’d move a few more members of his family in this direction if he could.”

“JD might have something to say about that.” Especially if Manwich and Dickie show up, I think, biting my lip to conceal my grin.

“I was wondering. Spin the Bottle. Is Royal the only one I have to worry about?”

“What?” I laugh, burying my face in my hands. “I can’t believe I told you that.”

“I’ve heard honesty is key in a good marriage. We’re here.”

I look up as we pull into his driveway. Our driveway, I remind myself. This will be my home for at least a year, maybe longer.

There’s a bedroom inside that he says we’ll be sharing.

Is this really happening?

“I’m sure it isn’t what you’re used to, but it’s been a good home for us. When did you say the truck would be arriving?”

The moving truck. My boxes. “Today, I think. I signed up for a phone notification.”

“That’s fast.”

His expression is dubious and very masculine. I’m invading the inner sanctum. His mancave. Fortunately for him, I left most of my furniture behind when I sold my old house. But I didn’t come emptyhanded. I’m hoping it won’t cause a problem. “It won’t be that bad, I promise. I only have one pink carpet and a few hundred doilies.”

I take in his horrified expression and then he’s exiting the car and circling around to open my door as I laugh.

“Second thoughts?” I ask, tongue in cheek as he helps me out of the passenger seat.

“Hardly.”

The cool wind makes me rub my arms for warmth and he pulls me closer.

“There’s a cold snap coming in.” he says unnecessarily. “We’ll have snow soon now.”

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