Page 29 of Perfect Scandal
He nods before he reluctantly steps away.
I pull in a slow, careful breath, hoping it’ll calm my racing heart.
My heart that, for some crazy reason, has started to think maybe we should hold off on the annulment.
Because Dean Langston is quickly becoming someone I could see myself building a future with.
* * *
DEAN
“I still can’t believe you were all in on this and I hadnoidea!” Alana laughs, once again taking in the crowd of friends, family, and neighbors packed into Pony Up to celebrate her special day.
Between me and the good Lord, I’m a little jealous. I moved to Mason Creek when I was ten years old, and I know every single one of these people. But I’d bet my hat that none of them knows when my birthday is, nor do they care. I suppose that’s one of the downsides of throwing myself into my job and not making many deep connections.
Tessa’s reaction to me touching her earlier was also a reminder of why I avoid relationships, too. On the rare occasion I have allowed myself to care about a woman, she’s always ended up wanting something different or someone else more.
Story of my friggin’ life.
“So, you live in Colorado?” Madelyn asks Tessa over the country song blaring from the jukebox.
“Yep. I’m in Boulder. It’s only a half hour from where we grew up in Bear Creek.” She gestures to her brothers. “Unlike them, I couldn’t wait to get away from ranch life.”
Madelyn nods. “I understand that. I needed a break, too. But it’s nice to be back home.”
“I miss it from time to time, too, but it doesn’t matter how often I visit my parents or my cousins… the family ranch isn’t the same without my brothers.”
“Aw.” Alana holds a hand to her chest. “That’s so sweet.”
“Don’t tell them, but sometimes I wish there weren’t two states between us.” Tessa sighs and stirs her drink with her straw.
“You could always move. I’d love having all my sisters-in-law here. We could raise our families together!”
Holden spins around at Alana’s semi-drunken exclamation. “Families? Plural? Something you want to tell me, darlin’?”
Carly, Kaden’s pregnant girlfriend, laughs. “Wouldn’t that be fun? Us having kids at the same time?”
Holden continues to glare, his gaze shifting back and forth between his girl and his brother. “Kaden,” he says loud enough to grab the other McMurray’s attention. “Your woman better not be giving my woman any ideas.”
Kaden chuckles as he saunters over and bends to place a kiss on Carly’s cheek. “You causing trouble?”
“Me? Never.”
“Mm-hmm.” Holden shakes his head, then glances at Tessa. “And don’t you be getting any ideas either. Becoming an uncle to one kid is plenty.”
Tessa scoffs. “I hate to break it to you, but I will have kids in the not-so-distant future. I want to be young enough to still have a life when they move out. To travel or something.”
Travel and kids, huh? It’s probably a good thing she’s not interested in more, because ranch life leaves little time for seeing the world beyond the property underfoot. And kids? Yeah, those aren’t in the cards for me, either.
“What about you, Dean?” Alana asks. “You’re not getting any younger. You probably want to settle down and have a family one of these days, don’t you?”
Heat rises up the back of my neck. Was she reading my mind, or did my sour expression give me away?
Tessa turns on her stool, and for a split second, our eyes meet before I pick up my beer and throw back a hefty swig. I’ve done my best to put space between us since the party started, mostly to avoid that private conversation she mentioned.
If last night was a one and done, there’s nothing more to discuss. I’m a big boy, and I’ll get over it. I always do.
“Langston’s already married to the ranch,” Kaden says with a smirk. “Pretty sure I caught him giving it to one of the fence posts the other day.”
