Chapter 30
30
RAINN
“This is not a barn.”
I snort. “I never said it was in a barn.”
Mac cracks his knuckles. Is he nervous? “I’m pretty sure you did.”
Grabbing the lapel of his jacket, I pull him closer and sweep the lint off his front. Not that there is any lint. I just use that as an excuse to touch him. “You thought we were wearing tuxedos and fancy gowns to a farm?”
He shrugs. “I could’ve sworn you called this Stryker’s farm.”
That makes sense. “This was Stryker’s farm. Then Garrett bought it and renovated it. Now it’s a picturesque wedding venue and event space. With a farm attached.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “How should I know? Garrett’s from New York. Maybe he thinks he’s fancy.”
“I am fancy,” Garrett says, looking suave in his designer suit. Even Christy looks handsome all dressed up. Although his scowl is still in place. “You must be Mac. I’m Garrett Bishop.”
“Nice to meet you. I saw you at the diner the other day.” He shakes Garrett’s hand.
I touch Mac’s lower back and lean closer. “Garrett is Christy’s brother-in-law,” I remind him in case he forgot.
And for some reason, Christy huffs and stomps away.
“Ignore him. I hear you’re looking for a place to board your horse?”
Mac stares at him. “How did you know that?”
“Aidyn told me.”
“Aidyn?”
He nods at the spot Christy was just in. “The grumpy jackass.”
Mac chuckles and nods. “I’m definitely interested. Daisy is at my uncle’s farm in Cedar Ridge. I’d love to have her here.”
“I’ll send you some info on the farm, and we can set something up.”
He leaves to “Stop Aidyn from destroying anything,” and Mac turns to me. “Is this your doing?”
“I might have mentioned it.”
“Gosh, you’re amazing. And beautiful.” He leans in, and I’m caught in the moment.
“Eddie, you look so handsome.” Mac swirls around to face his parents, dressed in their Sunday best.
That was close. Mac almost kissed me. And I almost let him.
“Thanks, Mom. You too. I mean, you look beautiful.” He pecks her on the cheek and pretends everything is fine.
But I can tell what he’s thinking. It’s what he’s always thinking these days. What if he puts too much stress on their family and it pushes his dad to drink?
“What about me, punkin’ head? Don’t I look beautiful?”
Mac holds out his hand and waves it back and forth. “Eh.” Casey smacks him on the arm. “Hey. Careful with the threads.”
“You look absolutely gorgeous, Casey,” I say, giving her a quick hug. She grins at me and smacks Mac again.
“Hey.” He rubs his arm like it hurts. Not that he can be really mad at Casey. She’s been incredibly supportive of us. I might need to remind him of that.
“I know you guys are going to be busy tonight.” She smiles at me and then Mac. I detect a hint of something in her eyes. “But maybe you can spare a moment. We need to finalize a few things.”
My smile drops. Right. The divorce. Mac grabs my arm and pulls me away before I can suggest we do it now. Just to get it out of the way. He addresses his sister over his shoulder. “Later, okay, Case?”
She laughs and waves.
“Where are we going, Mac?”
“Anywhere. As long as it’s away from my family.”
His comment hurts even though he didn’t mean anything by it. I pull my arm out of his grasp. “At least yours showed up.”
The regret is there in his dark eyes along with determination. He raises a brow. “Your family did show up. The ones who count.” He nods to Mama Gladdie and Hettie, who are talking to Cher…and Slade. Huh. I forgot he was helping with this. Then he points to Zye and Miles smiling at each other. Even Isaac and Adrian are here. With the prince’s steward a few feet away. He leans in and whispers, his breath teasing my neck, “And your mom is the headliner.”
I shudder and then smack his chest with the back of my hand. “Stop that.”
He grins. And just like that, things seem to be better.
Garrett is using the gala as the grand opening for the event hall. Zye said he has weddings booked throughout the next year.
They did a great job with the decorations. They’re over the top with silver-and-gold streamers and baubles. Almost like a Lady Gaga concert. I’ve never been to a Lady Gaga concert, but I imagine it would look like this. Everything looks amazing. There’s even a cupcake table, although it’s blocked by Garrett and Aidyn arguing. This discussion seems less friendly.
“Are you kidding me?” Isaac stomps up to the men and drags them away from the table.
I have no idea what that’s about. But then I have plenty of my own crap to distract me. This thing with Mac. What if I lose him? And all my mommy issues. Plus, Cher and I are the hosts for the event. Not my idea. And neither was live-streaming parts of it to raise more money for the charity. It will help so many kids. That’s what I have to focus on.
Cher signals for me, and I turn to Mac. “I’ve got to go to work now—” I stop right before I kiss him without thinking and pat his shoulder. Way to be awkward. We’ve definitely gotten used to kissing and touching whenever we want.
“Rainn, my boy!” We turn to see Hal striding toward us in a lavender suit. “This is grand. Spectacular.” His hair is tamed for once. He touches his bushy mustache. “Well done.”
“Where’s Joy?” Mac asks, looking around.
Hal motions to his left. Joy is hugging and laughing with a woman a foot shorter than her. A very familiar woman.
“Mrs. Forlana?” Mac looks up at me. Is he thinking the same thing I am? That his sixth-grade English teacher and the cashier at C&R Market is their source?
Hal chuckles. “Joy and Judith are inseparable when they get together. I better go keep them out of trouble. I’ll talk to you boys later.”
But that brings up another question. Do Hal and Joy expect us to be out to our families? I can’t ask Mac to do that. It would put his family at risk. And that will never change. Not now. Not in two more months. Hell, I don’t even know if we’re still married. I should be more worried about med school and how to pay for it. But all I care about is keeping Mac safe and happy. God, I love him so much.
Hiding how I feel about him is getting more difficult.
How much longer can we pretend this is going to work?