Chapter 2

Igo upstairs to the room I used before the ceremony to change shoes so my feet don’t kill me tomorrow. I close the door and press my back against the cool wood. With my eyes closed, I wish for my heart to stop pounding so hard.

Being with Cash may be wrong, but like a moth to a flame, we fly directly toward the thing that will destroy us—each other.

I almost lost control.

I almost kissed him again.

I don’t know what we”re doing anymore and haven’t since he tumbled back into my life four and a half months ago. When Cash moved back to Valentine, I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid him. I couldn’t. I still can’t.

We’d fallen back to where we were when he left the first time. It felt like seconds had passed, not nearly seven years. Now we”re older, and the world has made us harder, but the electricity still streams between us, keeping us hostage and tethered to one another. It’s a bond that can’t be broken; I”ve tried. The current of him constantly pulls me under. Now I’m stuck wishing we could be together, knowing and understanding we can’t.

Or can we?

If Cash and I dated and broke up, it would ruin his friendship with Beckett, especially if he did the breaking. My brother would never forgive him for hurting me.

I knew that when I pursued Cash all those years ago. It’s why the secrets of our past should stay hidden and out of sight. I’ve already come to terms with this man being the end of me.

Once my heart rate settles, I run my fingers through my long hair, reapply my lipstick, and walk to the barn. The stars are out and the crickets chirp while music drifts in the breeze.

A meteor skims across the sky leaving a trail of glitter and green smoke in its wake. I make a wish upon a star, desperately hoping it comes true.

When I enter the barn through the back, I glance around, loving how Grace decorated the place with rustic lanterns and colorful bouquets of wildflowers.

I spot Haley Shaw at the front of the wine line and go to her. She's one of my best friends and the co-founder of our single girls club. We’re sharing the presidency and are the only members in town.

”There you are,” she says, finally noticing me beside her. ”I texted you twenty minutes ago. Where have ya been?”

I smile. ”Sorry, I needed a breather.”

”Ah.” She nods her head toward Cash and his date. “Because of that?”

The bartender fills two plastic cups with Chardonnay, and we grab them. I’m tempted to chug it, but the last thing I need is a hangover.

”Who is she?” she whispers.

I shrug. ”Not sure.”

Moments later, my twin brother Colt stands beside me, sipping a beer. ”I didn’t know Cash knew Christine.”

No reaction is best.

”So, her name is Christine. That’s good information to have,” Haley says, butting into our conversation.

”She's the tenant in my rent house outside of town. I told you she moved in two weeks ago, sis.”

“More good info to have,” Haley adds.

”Oh yeah, I forgot.” I realize I’m staring.

I’ve been a hermit lately and isolated more than not, but I”ve also worked the night shift at the BB. I’m on no one's schedule but my own. When I’m crawling into bed, most are waking up to start their days. I’m living in my vampire era.

”You want to know more about her,” he mutters, smirking. My twin brother thinks he knows it all.

”Why would I care?”

Cash said they were friends, and I believe him. That man would never lie to me and I know that to be true.

My eyes move from Christine to him smiling at her. She's beautiful with olive skin and a short, sophisticated bob. They’re two attractive humans who are close in age, and their relationship is believable. She would never be mistaken as his younger sister.

Cash looks incredible in that black suit and tie. His dark brown hair sits in messy waves, and his hazel eyes sparkle under the glowing light. Sometimes, they look blue, and other times, they look green or gray. I used to joke that they”d change colors with his mood.

He leans in and whispers something in her ear, and a pang of jealousy courses through me. Even if it’s fake, it should be me standing close to him, but as usual, my insecurities get in the way.

The rumors about them will spread, and hopefully, it will buy us some time. No one will wonder about our status if we’re seen together if Cash is openly with someone else. I can slide right back into the best friend”s younger sister role that I’ve always played.

I know the truth though.

We”re in one another”s orbit just as we were that summer we spent together, but this time, it’s different. This is our retrograde, our second chance, and it’s almost like we’re traveling back in time to fix what we broke—each other.

I’m no longer a naive twenty-year-old with a stupid crush on an older man. I”ve been through some shit and had a job that nearly destroyed the essence of who I was. I”ve lost and found myself again, twice. This time, I’ll do the hard things that younger me wouldn’t consider. This time will be different.

I double down on the big lie. “I heard they were into one another,” I say, totally okay with adding fuel to the fire. Sometimes, I regret not being honest. Could the truth set us free?

”That’s great,” he sarcastically says as Harrison waves him over. ”Anyway, have fun tonight.”

”You, too,” I tell him, happy that conversation is over. As he walks away, I notice how buff he has gotten from renovating houses.

Haley and I are left to ourselves. ”Did Cash ever tell you his answer about moving in?”

”I doubt he’ll take my offer. It’s too bad he’d have made the perfect roommate.”

She gives me a sad look. ”Yeah, hm. I don’t understand that man. But I guess it’s probably best. Your brothers would”ve shit a brick.”

I shrug. “I can live with whoever I want.”

And I want it to be him.

”No, you can’t,” she laughs. ”My brother isn’t as scary as yours, and I know Hayden would never allow it.”

”You have no idea how lucky you are that you only have to deal with one terror,” I tell her, then spot Grace walking toward us.

”I think I do,” Haley says as we smile at Grace.

Takenlooks amazing on Grace. She's practically glowing and has been since she married Harrison. They were childhood besties, and everyone thought they”d end up as a couple until my brother proposed to another woman. It was drama.

She approaches us wearing a pretty pink dress tied tight at her waist. It accentuates her curvy figure.

“You’re not welcome here,” I joke with a grin. ”This is the singles’ corner.”

The two of us became fast friends when we lived together, and now that she moved out of our condo last month, I barely see her.

She playfully rolls her eyes.

The overhead lights lower, and when London sings the first line of The Way You Look Tonight, several large disco balls spin and paint the crowd with silver reflections.

“Who is he with?” Grace whispers. She doesn’t have to be specific. I know who she’s referring to.

She nearly caught us together one night and if she wouldn’t have come home, we would’ve had sex. Our clothes were spread on the floor of the condo because I hadn’t expected her to come home.

She's kept my secrets, just as she kept my brother”s. I trust her and know she wouldn’t do anything to ruin this for me. In a way, I think she understands what it’s like to want someone so fucking bad and not have them. It’s the foundation of her and Harrison.

“His date,” Haley answers because I am too busy staring at Cash. I’d forgotten the question.

When I glance at Haley, she’s staring toward the opposite side of the room where my brother Emmett is.

Grace’s attention turns to Haley. “Wait.”

Haley has been obsessed with Emmet after their meet-cute last month. She had a flat in her Bronco and he stopped to help her.

“Don’t ask. You’ll never escape the conversation,” I say. To be honest, I think Emmett will break her heart. He’s quiet, but a total fuck boy thirst trap. I’m unsure what’s going on in his world or if the woman hanging on his arm is his girlfriend. I’ve told Haley I’ll gather information so we’ll know if he's available or not. The least I can do is help, even if I think she can do better.

Haley chuckles. “She’s right. We’ll have to plan a coffee chat soon and catch up since you’ve been so ocupado.”

Grace shrugs. She’s barely come up for air after marrying Harrison. “What can I say? Gotta lot of years of denial to make up for.”

Harrison grabs the microphone and taps it. “Wow, it seems like we were together not too long ago.”

Many of the same people who celebrated their prenuptials are here to congratulate Beckett and Summer, too.

Harrison clears his throat. “So, I wanted to give this speech about all the embarrassing things my brother has done over the years, but my wife, the only voice of reason I listen to…”

Grace places her hands over her mouth and yells. “That’s right, baby!”

Everyone laughs.

“Well, she said it was a stupid idea. So, I’ll say this. Beckett, my brother, one of my best friends in the whole world, I’m so happy that you were able to marry the love of your life and didn’t end up like a hermit who collects horses like we all thought.” He meets Summer’s eyes and laughs and the crowd joins in. “I’m glad you found someone who won’t put up with your shit and isn’t afraid to call you out.”

Grace clears her throat, and Harrison roars with laughter. His best friend is the only one who can reel him in. We’ve all tried.

“Right.” He raises his glass. “I’m so happy to welcome you to the family, Summer. You’re my favorite sister-in-law. And if Beckett ever hurts you, me and the rest of my brothers will kick his ass for you.”

My older sister, Kinsley, yells. “Me too!”

“Love y’all. Truly happy for you.”

The room roars with applause, and I watch Cash cross the room. When he glances up at me, I tuck my lips into my mouth, trying not to smile. When he shoots me a wink, I turn my head. He's playing with fire as Harrison hands him the microphone. Confidence oozes off of him, and he smirks.

“Damn, Valentine. You’re looking gorgeous tonight,” he says, meeting my gaze. I know he's talking to me. It’s our little secret, a nickname he uses just for me. However, everyone in the room believes he's referring to the townsfolk. Valentine, Texas, was founded by my family over a century ago.

Cash clears his throat. ”What can I say about these two who were always meant to be together? Like my other brother Harrison, I thought deeply about what I would say about Beckett in front of a room of people. The stories I could tell, the shenanigans we used to get into, wow. That’s not appropriate for our parents to hear though.” He waves at my folks, who adore him. ”Beckett is like a brother, my longest friend, who deserves true happiness and love like this. For as long as I can remember, Summer was always the brightness in his sky, but she was also off-limits. He agonized over it because it’s difficult to want to be with someone who’s best friends with one of your siblings. There’s always risk involved with that.”

His eyes meet mine, and I’m glad the room is dark. That way, no one can see the blush that hits my cheeks as I read between the lines. Cash makes butterflies swarm me.

“But everyone knows, the Valentines don’t ever play by the rules, especially when it comes to love. It’s obvious when two people are meant to be together, and when I look at you, there are no doubts about it.”

I swallow hard. He’s fierce as he plays with fire.

”Summer and Beckett, I’m so happy for you and thrilled that you were able to find yourselves in one another. You make me believe love exists and that maybe I’ll have a chance, especially after one of the biggest assholes in the state found their someone.” He chuckles. ”Love y”all. I wish you a life full of happiness and laughter and horses. Congratulations! And Summer, if Beckett ever needs an ass-kicking, I’ll add my name to the list, too. Cheers.”

I finish my wine and clap when he’s finished. Kinsley steps forward.

“Wow. What a hard act to follow, but you know what they say: always save the best for last. Unlike the two gentlemen before me, I didn’t have to think about what I would say today. Summer once told me that she wouldn’t hook up with Beckett if she were the last woman on earth and it was up to her to rescue the human race.”

I glance at my brother, and he actually looks offended but then laughs.

“Oh, wait, she said she would if we taped his mouth closed.”

Summer howls with laughter, and so does everyone else in the barn, even Beckett. He wraps his arm around her and kisses her.

“However, I always knew that they would be together, and I’d like to take full credit for the manifesting and matchmaking I did to make it happen. With all jokes aside, I want to say that I love you both so much, and I love seeing you over the moon. I’ve always wanted the absolute best for my big brother, and the same goes for my best friend. If anyone is still asking themselves if Beckett and Summer are perfect for one another...the answer is yes. I know when two people are made to be together.” My sister glances at Cash who stands to the side of her then she looks at me. “And you are.”

Then Cash and I lock on to one another from across the room. The silent conversation begs me closer to him, but I keep my feet planted.

Kinsley was clearly talking about us.

I know it. He knows it. And so does she.

Pulling my gaze from his isn’t something I can always do when I’m under his spell, but somehow I manage.

Kinsley laughs. “Anyway. Congratulations. Now, please make me an aunt sooner rather than later,” she says with a smile.

My sister’s personality is a tight braid of charisma, spice, and woo-woo. She’s great at public speaking and commands a room in ways I never could.

I’m the Wednesday Addams of the Valentine family, and everyone knows it. I think that comparison started after Cash left and a piece of me died. Being an introvert, I loved it, and lately I’ve been leaning into it as I’ve entered my no fucks to give era.

My eyes slide back over to Cash’s, and he gives me a smoldering smile, the one that melts panties.

I wish he’d stop.

”Now, can everyone lift their glasses and celebrate the happy couple? I love y’all.”

“Remi,” Haley whispers, elbowing me as Cash raises his glass toward me. “Your glass.”

“Oh, right,” I say, snapping out of my daze for the hundredth time tonight.

Summer gets up and hugs Kinsley. When they shed tears, I put the empty cup to my mouth wishing I had one more sip. I need a refill.

They make me feel like a robot with their emotions or maybe I really am dead inside. I almost laugh as Grace and Haley follow me to the bar.

As we wait in line, Cash approaches. I look at him like he's got a third eye because we always avoid one another in public settings.

“Hi,” he says, his voice lowering as he leads me away from everyone. “Do you have that key?”

I hold back my smile. “You changed your mind?”

“I hadn’t made a decision earlier,” he says. “I have now.”

I pull it from my dress pocket. I kept it on my person, secretly hoping he’d ask me for it even if I thought he wouldn’t. He reaches forward, and I place it in his palm. ”Move-in date is June first.”

”One week. Perfect,” Cash says, his gaze lingers then he walks away.

I keep my expression neutral because I don’t know who”s watching our interaction, then I meet Kinsley’s eyes and she smirks before raising her glass upward. An acknowledgment of us, maybe even approval.

Me and Cash’s relationship is complicated. We’re two tornados creating a path of destruction as we dance because no one saw us coming.

Except Kinsley.

I’m positive my sister knows.

Who else does?