9. Clint
NINE
CLINT
I parked at the curb in front of Plot Twist and slid out of my truck, smoothing a hand down my tie. Shit, I was actually nervous about this. That was ridiculous. This was Austen. The girl I’d known and joked around with for most of my life. But it was Austen. The woman I wanted so much more from. And after last night, I thought maybe, just maybe, she could feel the same.
This wedding felt like the opportunity to prove to her we could be more. It was the pinnacle of our plan. The reason for our charade… and also the stage where no holds would be barred in terms of how we acted as a couple. That could either work in my favor or blow up in my face. Tonight, we were meant to act like we were together. That might allow us to get out of our own way to act on the attraction I was certain wasn’t one-sided. Or she might double down, insisting it was all for show. How could I convince her that none of this was an act? Would she even believe me if I brought it up?
“Getting ahead of yourself, Ramsey,” I muttered.
I’d just have to play everything by ear and see how it went.
Sucking in a steadying breath, I circled around to the side of the building and jogged up the stairs to her apartment. She must’ve heard me coming, because the door swung open as I reached the top step. I nearly toppled right back down at the sight of her because, holy shit, she was utterly gorgeous. And also, apparently, frazzled.
“Great, you’re here. I need your help.” Without waiting for a response from me, she left the door open and moved back inside.
I was left to reel my tongue back into my mouth and follow. When I thought I could speak without sounding like a prepubescent boy, I managed, “Sure. What do you need?”
“I cannot manage to get this stupid necklace clasped.” She picked up something sparkly off the kitchen island and held it out to me.
I willed my feet into motion and took the necklace. She turned her back to me, and I actively had to fist my hands not to touch her. That sexy as sin dress dipped low in the back, leaving her spine exposed in a long, sinuous trail I wanted to map with my tongue. A tattoo started on her shoulder and extended toward the center of her back. An open book, with pages peeling off and turning to a flock of birds. It was simple and clever and so absolutely her.
“Clint?”
Right. Job to do.
I reached around to settle the necklace against her throat. “I didn’t know you had ink.”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. I got it back in college.”
She was so close, smelling like temptation personified, and I couldn’t help but feel the intimacy of being just behind her like this, performing a task meant for a lover. My fingers fumbled with the clasp.
“Suits you.” I finally managed to get the necklace fastened.
She pressed a hand to the chain and turned, seeming surprised to find me so close. Her eyes met mine. “Thanks.”
“You look fucking incredible.”
Pleased color bloomed in her cheeks. “That was the goal. You clean up really well yourself.”
As peeling her out of that dress was definitely not on the agenda, I offered my arm. “Then let’s go wow some folks.”
The wedding itself was down in Fort Payne. Not a long drive, but far enough from Huckleberry Creek that we’d left a bit early to give ourselves plenty of time to get there. Conversation flowed easily, and we made it to the church with no risk of accidentally interrupting the ceremony. Once we’d parked, I circled around to help her down from the truck.
“Thanks.” Her hand lingered in mine, and her gaze skated over me again in a way that made the discomfort of the suit and tie absolutely worth it.
At the sound of heels, she glanced behind me, and her face paled. “Crap, crap, crap! I should have risked being late,” she hissed.
“What is it?”
But it was too late. Her face transformed into an expression of warm greeting. “Great Aunt Maureen. How lovely to see you.”
The older woman was about Austen’s height but easily half again her size, with sharp blue eyes and an assessing expression. “And you, dear. You look stunning.”
The two of them shared one of those perfunctory embraces dictated only by social niceties.
“I haven’t seen your parents this evening. Weren’t y’all coming together?”
“Actually Mom and Dad are on an anniversary cruise themselves. They had it booked long before Gretchen and Kevin set a date. Rhett hasn’t made it home yet, so I’m afraid I’m the only representative of the family tonight.”
Aunt Maureen’s gaze turned to me. “And who is this?”
I didn’t actually know this woman, as she didn’t live in Huckleberry Creek. But I’d heard stories from both Austen and Rhett over the years. This was part of why I was here.
Casually, I swept up Austen’s hand, tucking it into the crook of my arm. “I’m Clint Ramsey, ma’am. Austen’s boyfriend.”
Austen’s fingers tightened on my arm, even as her great aunt tittered and brightened with excitement. “Well, I didn’t know that you had a boyfriend. That’s just wonderful. I’m so glad to meet you, young man. How did you and Austen meet?”
Our story as a couple wasn’t something we’d discussed in advance. Probably an oversight on our part. I could feel Austen’s anxiety radiating and laid a comforting hand over the one she had threaded through my elbow.
“We’ve been in each other’s pockets for years. Her brother’s one of my best friends, so I’ve known Austen since she was knee high.”
“Oh? How did y’all go from that to this?”
Austen was fairly vibrating beside me. But before she could launch into whatever explanation she was formulating, I smiled. “Well, you know, I always had a bit of a thing for her but never acted on it. As it happens, I just returned from a deployment overseas where I had some experiences that made me reevaluate some things in my life and stop putting off going after what I really wanted. So I came home and asked her out.”
I was aware of Austen’s gaze on me, but I didn’t break eye contact with her great aunt.
“So you two are pretty new?”
“Officially, I suppose. But with our long history, we can kind of skip over a lot of the usual steps. We already know each other really well.”
Aunt Maureen clasped her hands, her blue eyes taking on a suspiciously glassy sheen. Shit, had I gone too far?
“That’s just wonderful. I’m so excited for y’all.”
Austen finally seemed to find her voice. “Thanks, Aunt Maureen. We’re pretty excited, too. But we really should get on inside the church. We don’t want to be late.”
Her great aunt waved a gnarled hand. “Oh, of course, of course. Don’t let me hold you up. I just need to go back and get something from my car. See you inside!”
We strolled toward the building, arm in arm. Once we were definitively out of earshot, Austen murmured, “Well played.”
I just squeezed her hand and wondered exactly how long I’d have to wait to admit that I’d just told the God’s honest truth.