When I First Met You (Family Ties #2)

1

With a deep bracing breath, Glory McCallahan got herself under control. She would not cry. Absolutely not. Crying made her

nose red and her eyes puffy, so by God, she’d withhold her happy tears.

Because, damn it, she was happy. Never mind that things would never again be the same for her; her cousin, Callie, was now happily married to a perfect

guy and they’d be starting their life together in her beloved hometown.

All good news. For Callie.

Unfortunately, Glory felt like she’d just lost the best piece of herself. No one had ever loved her like Callie did. Not the

parents she’d lost, or the aunt and uncle who’d raised her. Definitely never a man.

Throughout the years, she’d relied on her cousin in so many ways, and now . . .

Now she was alone.

Or at least she would be once the wedding reception wrapped up, and she returned to her new home. Her new life. Her new . . . everything.

She’d only recently purchased the modest house in her cousin’s hometown neighborhood so she’d be nearby but not underfoot.

She couldn’t bear being underfoot. Especially not now that Callie was so happy.

Damn it. I will not cry.

“I need a refill,” her aunt called out to her, thankfully giving her something to do other than feel sorry for herself.

With a smile pinned in place, Glory hurried to flag a server for her. After Aunt Liz was settled again, her Uncle Frank slipped

her some envelopes. “These are for the staff. See that they get them, okay?”

“Of course.” She turned to the groom’s mother, Addie. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Addie, always a sweetheart, smiled at her. “You could sit down and take a break. I swear, Glory, you haven’t been off your

feet all night.”

Before Glory could answer, her aunt added, “She’s right, Glory. You’re looking a little ragged with your cheeks flushed and

your hair flying every which way. Maybe you should run to the restroom and tidy yourself up.”

“She looks beautiful,” Addie replied.

Leaning in, her aunt confided, “She’s starting to get dewy.”

Which was Aunt Liz’s way of saying she was sweaty.

“She glows,” Addie countered with an edge.

Glory almost grinned. Lately, she’d noticed Addie being her champion, even when it wasn’t necessary. “I’ll tidy my hair in

a minute, Aunt Liz.” Honestly, she looked forward to the moment alone.

Still smiling, Glory turned to follow the server toward the kitchen of the quaint event hall.

Along the way she felt . . . Well, she felt an unnerving tingle that traveled along her spine.

Glancing back, she caught Kam Norwood, the groom’s oh-so-hot and annoying younger brother, watching her intently.

For a second, her breath caught—and then he looked away as if he’d merely been skimming the room and accidentally focused on her.

Heat rushed into her face and her lungs deflated. Of course, Kam wasn’t checking her out. The man could barely stand her.

Most of the time, if he looked at her, it was with a critical eye.

Well, screw him.

No . . . wait. She would not screw him. Not ever—even if she thought about it far too often. Seriously, what red-blooded woman wouldn’t?

Another waiter passed her, giving her a barely-there smile.

Maybe her hair was worse than she thought.

Against her will, her gaze returned to Kam. Of course, he looked amazing whether he was in his usual jeans and a T-shirt or

dressed up in a tux for his brother’s wedding, as he was now.

Tall, lean, and strong, with dark chestnut hair, incredible green eyes, and a smile that could cause a girl’s heart to stutter.

As the best man, he’d been busy, too, and other than walking into the ceremony together, and the customary dance—which had

been crazy-awkward, at least for Glory—she’d barely spoken to him. Maybe she should . . .

A young woman who was part of the staff drew Kam’s attention. He gave her an immediate smile that flowed into easy conversation

and a few laughs. The way they talked, Glory figured they were probably hooking up.

Refusing to acknowledge the envious kick to her heart, she got back to her assigned task. She distributed the envelopes to

the available staff, leaving the rest with Dan Fellows, the owner of the hall, to share with those who were currently busy—like

the pretty young woman engaging Kam.

With that done, Glory grabbed her purse off a table in the corner and darted out of the main room to the corridor that led to the bathroom.

The air here was cooler and a little fresher. Since Callie and Tanner—the bride and groom—had left nearly an hour ago, it

was fine for her to try to wrap it up, too. She’d circle the room and make a few subtle gestures that would hopefully get

everyone going.

“Only a few minutes more,” she promised herself as she dampened a paper towel under the faucet and then patted it to her face,

throat, and the back of her neck. She’d had too little sleep, not much to eat, and her emotions seemed to be in a blender.

She was fighting off the melancholy when she heard a text ding on her phone. Absurdly, she thought it might be Callie. Then

she laughed at herself, because Callie was at home by now, with her husband, no doubt setting the sheets on fire.

Grinning at herself, glad for the distraction, she took the phone from her purse, swiped the screen—and froze.

Absurd that he still had this effect on her.

Through a haze, she read the message.

Can’t wait to see you again. ?

Those damned smiley faces made her skin crawl. They’d seemed cute at first, but they’d long since slid into sick territory.

Suddenly, she felt very alone. She breathed faster as she realized no one else was around—and a door to the parking lot was

right there. Was it even locked—or could someone have come in unnoticed?

Thankfully, before the fear could dig deep, the laughter of approaching women reached her.

Glory dropped the phone into her purse and left the restroom, smiling as she passed the women who were just coming in.

She forged back into the hall, determined to get through the rest of her duties.

Then she’d go home, enjoy a long hot soak in the tub, and crash for the night.

Tomorrow, her mood would surely be improved.

Kam did not mean to watch her so closely. In fact, he tried not to. Yet, he’d noticed when she left the room, and he’d watched

for her return. For reasons he didn’t understand, he noticed everything Glory did.

Even today, after a wedding and while hustling at the reception, Glory wore a mask of untouchable perfection. It bugged him

big-time. The only time that practiced expression had slipped was at the end of the wedding, when tears had filled her eyes

before she’d blinked them away.

Actually, that wasn’t true. She’d been different during the slow dance they’d shared at the start of the reception. As the

best man and maid of honor, it was expected. Traditional. Or so he’d been told.

It hadn’t been easy for him to stay casual. Superficial.

Seeing Glory so perpetually composed naturally made him want to . . . What?

Tease her, fluster her, get her mussed so that her light blond hair was no longer so precisely styled?

Maybe steal the shiny lip gloss off her mouth—with his tongue.

Holding her during a slow dance, her body moving with his, led his thoughts to similar movements . . . while they were both

naked. He imagined tugging down the front of her fancy dress until he exposed her breasts, until he could touch her and watch

her pretty blue eyes go from wary to dark and vague . . .

“Ahem.”

Jarred out of his sultry thoughts, Kam turned to see older blue eyes assessing him. Since adopting him years ago, Addie had

caught him doing many things. In comparison to some of them, fantasizing about the maid of honor wasn’t a big deal.

“Keep that up,” Addie said, “and the girl’s going to catch on fire.”

He put his arm around Addie and hugged her close. “Have I told you how great you look?”

“Pfft.” Addie smoothed her graying blond hair and lowered her voice. “I had to wear the dress since your brother and Callie

insisted on buying it for me, but you know I’m most comfortable in my jeans and T-shirts.”

Yeah, he felt the same about the damn tux he wore. Again, his gaze went to Glory. Her blue dress fastened over one shoulder,

leaving her throat, upper chest, and opposite shoulder bare. Her skin was peachy and smooth. Unlike him and Addie, she seemed

comfortable in the designer gown. “Callie’s family is right at home in fancy duds.”

Who knew his brother, also adopted by Addie, would marry the town princess? Her family had always owned half the businesses

in Hoker, Kentucky, at least until they’d moved away years ago. Even back then, Tanner had been hung up on her.

Neither of them had ever met the cousin, although apparently Glory had been raised with Callie.

“Be nice,” Addie admonished.

He realized he was frowning and deliberately lightened his expression when he said, “My feet are pinched in these shoes.”

Give him work boots or sneakers any day.

Leaning in closer, Addie whispered, “Mine are, too.”

Sympathizing with her, Kam grinned. “Since the bride and groom are gone, we’re allowed to head home, right?”

“I’m catching a ride with Callie’s parents.”

That took him back a step. “How come?”

“To spare Glory, of course.” Resting against the outdated paneled wall, Addie glanced around the room, ensuring that the lingering

guests couldn’t hear her. “Drives me nuts how Liz keeps picking at her. That girl has worked her tail off setting up this

wedding, and all Liz has done is complain.”

“To you?” Kam asked, feeling his temper rile. Okay, so the wedding venue was small, but it was the only hall in town. Who

cared if the chairs had plastic seats or if the linoleum floor had seen better days? Callie and Tanner were happy. Blissfully

so.

Addie shook her head. “Of course not. It’s Glory I’m worried about.”

Right. Who could ever be rude to Addie? “So what do they say?”

She shrugged. “It’s silly stuff, like telling her to slow down or she’ll sweat.”

Kam laughed.

“Or saying she needs to adjust the strap on her dress.”