Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
JULIETTE
Iheld up a menu, pretending to scan the desserts.
In truth, it was my shield. Line dancing was the whole reason I’d agreed to this girl’s night, and it looked like a blast. Sophie and Maddie were just as impatient as I was—they’d already talked Cash into performing a couple of Ford’s twangier songs and were now front and center, leading the crowd in a full-blown line dance.
But I couldn’t join them because, at any given moment, at least five people were recording anyone with the last name Dupree.
Sticking near Bowen was my best bet. He growled anytime a phone turned his way.
He’d even told one guy he’d personally shove that phone somewhere the sun doesn’t shine if he didn’t put it away.
I peeked over the menu and caught a woman angling her phone at me. I ducked back down, pulse slamming. I needed to get the heck out of here.
“Maggie,” I power-whispered, interrupting her and Bowen mid nose-nuzzle. “I thought we were just stopping to say a quick hello and for Charlie to grab her credit card from Cash. Have we given up heading to the Blue Bonnet Barn altogether?”
“I think so,” Maggie said with a sigh and gestured at Sophie and Maddie. “Why do we need to line dance somewhere else when we can do it right here?”
Because I needed anonymity. Also, I couldn’t be in this restaurant with Griffin.
When we’d walked in, and I saw him making an idiot of himself by butt-bumping Bowen all to support James, my resolve took a direct hit.
But when Sophie ordered them to do the “Right Stuff” dance, and Griffin outdanced everyone else?
I’d nearly launched myself onto the stage, cameras rolling, and kissed him until he forgot his own name.
I glanced over at him again, playing darts with James and Theo, and my French fry went down wrong. A petite blonde in a crop top and painted-on jeans circled like he was fair game.
Excuse me! Did you forget you’re married?
Excuse you, my brain shot back. Did you forget you filed for divorce?
It was clear from Griffin’s expression that he knew the woman.
What I couldn’t tell was whether he was happy to see her or not.
But she was definitely happy to see him.
She was practically drooling, eyes sparkling, gaze dragging over him from his boots to his hair.
She laughed and slapped him on the chest, and I nearly choked again.
Maggie pounded me on the back. “Are you okay?”
I chased the French fry down with a sip of Sunkist. “Um, guys.” I gulped. “Who is Griffin talking to?”
They looked over, and Bowen huffed out a laugh. “That’s Kynzleigh. With a Z.”
“Kynzleigh with a Z?” I snorted. “Where are we? Utah?”
Maggie giggled.
But I wasn’t giggling. At all. “And how does he know Kynzleigh with a Z?”
The corner of Bowen’s mouth twitched. “She’s his ex.”
I swore silently and forced my eyes away from Griffin to look at Bowen. “His ex?”
“Mm-hmm.” Bowen let that land, smirking. “She was his first love.”
My stomach wrenched, threatening to toss up that French fry and all the ones before it.
Bravo. Slow clap. Clap. Clap. Way to make yet another life-ruining decision. Did you honestly think he’d just… what? Sit around pining for you forever? The man is a walking swoon factory. Of course, he’s going to get snatched right up. Possibly by Kynzleigh with a Z.
He can’t end up with her. She’s not good enough for him!
What’re you talking about? She’s beautiful.
“Not as beautiful as me,” I muttered.
Thankfully, Maggie had gone back to snuggling with Bowen and didn’t hear.
I pressed my palms against the table as a burst of clarity hit, quick and undeniable.
I’d once again underestimated this wild, wondrous love I had for Griffin Dupree.
And I couldn’t give him up.
Definitely not for Kynzleigh. Not even for DayGlow. I didn’t care if that made me weak. At least I was weak for him.
All it had taken was one thirsty ex-girlfriend with an atrocious belly button tattoo, and just like that, all my plans for a divorce vanished.
I undid the chain around my neck, dropped my wedding ring into my palm, and slid it onto my ring finger. Then I refastened the chain, with Griffin’s band still attached. I shoved out of the booth and sprang to my feet, striding toward my man.
Theo saw me just before I got to them and flicked up his brows.
I don’t know who said what, but right then, Griffin hissed, “Just remember, Jim-Bo, I know where Dad keeps the bander.”
Oh, that didn’t sound good. And I didn’t want to find out what he’d say next. Maybe he’d compliment Kynzleigh—maybe make a remark about how he liked her terrible tattoo.
So I let out a bright, covering laugh, closed the distance, and wrapped both hands around his right bicep. “Hey, baby,” I murmured.
He turned to me, startled.
“I forgot to give you your ring.” I reached up and undid the chain, tossing Kynzleigh a friendly smile. “I have to keep track of it for him when he’s out doing farm work, or he’d lose it,” I said as his band dropped onto my palm.
His mouth fell open, then snapped shut. He stared at his ring.
He was probably trying to decide if he was ticked or touched that I’d lied and had kept it close to my heart all this time.
His gaze found mine, nervous and uncertain, as if asking whether this was real or whether I was simply saving him.
I smiled and nodded almost imperceptibly.
He didn’t return the smile. But he did spread his fingers and let me slide the band over his knuckle for the second time.
“There,” I said, satisfied. Then I pushed up on my tiptoes, slipped my fingers into the sides of his hair, and pulled his mouth to mine.
He collapsed into me, chest caving like he hadn’t exhaled in weeks. His hands trembled as he pulled me in. I decided then and there never to be the cause of his hurt again. And never to let him leave without that ring on his finger.
Fully aware that phones were rolling and the world was about to learn we were husband and wife, I leaned into the moment. I looped my arms around his neck and pressed into him, our mouths finding a slow, familiar rhythm. He moaned and hiked me up—and I gladly locked my legs around his waist.
I’d missed this so much.
Missed him so much.
Theo cleared his throat.
I didn’t want to break the kiss, but we were in public. So I smiled against Griffin’s mouth, my fingers tracing over the stubble on his cheeks. “Hey, you,” I whispered.
“Hey, yourself,” he whispered back. His voice made my stomach purr, same as when I was fourteen. He set me on my feet and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
“Seriously? A forehead kiss too?” Kynzleigh sighed.
James cussed under his breath, handed the darts to Theo, and stalked off to take my spot at Bowen and Maggie’s table.
What was his problem? I turned my head, watching him go.
Kynzleigh gasped and shrieked.
Griffin and I looked at her.
Her mouth formed a softball-sized O. “No. Freaking. Way.” She slapped us both on the shoulder. This woman had a serious slapping problem. “Griffin.” Her mouth opened even wider. “You’re married to Juliette Serrant?”
He moved me in front of him and wrapped me up—my back to his chest, his chin resting on my head. “Sure am,” he said.
“Wow.” Kynzleigh shook her head. “And to think, I could’ve married Juliette Serrant’s husband.”
Theo snorted. “Not how that works at all.”
“I just love your Golden Hour bronzer,” Kynzleigh gushed. “And the entire Carmel Coast eyeshadow palette. Like, it’s my holy grail. See.” She closed her eyes and pointed to them with both hands.
“Nice job,” I said, struggling to focus. Griffin’s pheromones were making me delirious. “You’re really good at building depth.” I was feeling generous now that she was no longer a threat.
“Thank you.” She beamed, swishing her hips from side to side.
“Did you know that you influenced me to buy DayGlow for the first time? It was that reel you did about how every woman is beautiful; they just have to believe it. And then you showed us how to place concealer and blush so they actually lift your face. I love that about you. You don’t gatekeep. ”
Thrown by her generous words, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Sometimes the ugliness behind DayGlow’s curtain overshadowed the fact that I’d genuinely influenced millions of women’s lives for the better. At least I’d tried.
“That’s… really kind,” I said. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Any idea if DayGlow is ever going to bring back the Daydream Drip lip gloss?” She pushed her lip out in a pout. “That was my all-time favorite. I actually sobbed when it got discontinued.”
“Right?” I went to say, ‘you and me both.’
But Theo interrupted. “Actually, Jules left—”
I steamrolled him with a laugh. “Actually, we’re not quite ready to tell the world that secret yet.”
“Ahh.” He tapped his nose. “Got it.”
Griffin’s thumbs were gently rubbing up and down my arms, igniting my entire body.
“What secret?” Kynzleigh squealed. “Tell me. Tell me. Are they bringing it back? Oh, I do love a good secret.” She zipped her lips and locked them.
“Unfortunately, no can do.” I smiled. “My contract is airtight. And Griff and I agreed that there would be no discussion of work during date night.”
“Facts,” Griffin said.
I reached back and fisted the hem of his shirt. “If you don’t mind,” I said to Kynzleigh. “I’m going to put these boots to good use and let my husband lead me around the dance floor.” I gave her a finger wave and tugged Griffin behind me.
As we stepped onto the dance floor, Charlie’s whole face lit up. She blew us a quick kiss.
Cash winked. “All right, everybody,” he said into the microphone. “Let’s slow it down.”
He and Charlie began humming the intro to “Please, Come Home Tonight.”
Griffin and I found an empty spot toward the front of the crowd. I slipped my hands around his neck—terrified and overwhelmed, yet undaunted.