JC was about to find out exactly how much his friends were going to love her.
Reed’s best friend and business partner was throwing a party to celebrate their largest business endeavor. The project had previously been Reed’s, but when he moved to California, Sam took over the client.
Reed protested, stating the project was Sam’s baby and he didn’t want to intrude. That started a barrage of phone calls from Sam, making colorful threats in a language foreign to JC such as, “It’s time to paint your butt white and run with the antelope.”
“Paint your butt white?” JC questioned, checking out his rear.
“That’s Texan for shut up and do what you’re told.”
Sam’s persistence paid off. Reed decided to fly back to Texas and attend the after party, but passed on the official ribbon-cutting ceremony so not to take the spotlight from Sam. Although after overhearing several of their conversations, JC doubted anyone could upstage Sam.
Reed described Sam as Old Texas turning a new green leaf. Meaning he was a fifth generation Texan and leading the market in sustainable architecture. He came from old money, but paid his personal dues climbing up the ladder. The same blood ran through Sam’s veins as his father. Drive, persistence and ambition set the bar high and Sam wanted to put his own stamp on Texas. He worked hard to make a name for himself under the shadow of his father.
****
White picket fencing and acres of green grass paralleled the long drive. Twenty or so cars lined the paved circle driveway.
“You’re going to love them. I trust Sam. He’s always gonna give it to you straight, whether you like it or not.”
JC nodded while fidgeting with the leather strap of her purse.
“Plus, he’s great in a bar fight.”
She paused, lowering her sunglasses to give him a wide-eyed gape.
His masculine mouth twitched at one end into a wry grin. Reed parked underneath a large oak tree, cut the motor and clasped her icy fingers in the warmth of his hand. “Don’t be nervous. My friends are going to love you.” He grazed a burning kiss as hot as the Texas sun upon her cheek.
Hours earlier when they’d boarded the plane on their flight to Texas, it was the first time in her life JC hadn’t been nervous to fly. However, a completely new jumble of nerves danced in her tummy. JC was fine with the idea of meeting his friends until he mentioned Sam’s wife Jenny had been best friends with Annie. If the plane hadn’t already been in the air, she might have exited the aircraft in a frantic escape.
Reed tried to comfort her. “Darlin’, they’re good people. They’re gonna be happy for me.”
“I’m sure they’re wonderful people. You still should’ve warned me,” she responded gruffly until she noticed complete bewilderment plastering his face. “It’s like a code, Reed. I know it sounds cliché and juvenile, but believe me, no woman is going to be nice to their best friend’s husband’s new girlfriend.”
Even though Reed’s situation was completely different because he’d experienced grief and heartbreak through a tragic loss of his wife, it’d take a miracle for this woman to accept her. Just because Reed didn’t know who JC was when they first met, any woman with a subscription to People or numerous other magazines would know exactly who she was. Women greeted JC one of two ways until they got to know her: they either acknowledged her with giddy excitement because of her somewhat illustrious modeling career and famous step-father or they out-and-out snubbed her.
Strolling hand-in-hand toward the ranch house, she inspected the gorgeous property. Sam and Jenny’s home was quite a spread, acres of ranchland in an established neighborhood, complete with three dormers and a swing on the wraparound porch. It had all the makings of a family.
JC found herself wondering about Reed’s life when he was married. Envisioning him with another woman was difficult. Especially with a woman he loved so deeply, deep enough to marry and plan a life with. He didn’t say much about Annie, but when he did, there was a light in his eyes. A brightness that glimmered like the setting sun on the ocean and just like a sunset it quickly faded into darkness. He carried the burden and loss heavily in his heart. He loved Annie wholeheartedly and it made her wonder if Reed could ever feel that kind of love again.
Her tummy twisted with butterflies and pings of envy for the woman who’d captured his heart. She exhaled between pursed lips and released his hand, wafting her clammy palms back and forth in the air. “Dang it’s hot here.” She let the one hundred degree plus temperature and high humidity take the blame for her sweaty hands.