Brynn’s cheeks were flushed. Her chin was pink from where his stubble had scratched her skin, and Jamie held his breath for the second it took for her expression to register. She was biting back a smile.
“Hooo-ey!” Frank yelled, clapping his hands together. “Now that’s what I call just married.” He grabbed Dora by the hand and tugged her close. “After I get these two to the cottage room, I’m gonna remind you that we used to kiss like that.”
He gave her a quick peck and then smacked her on the ass, and Dora yelped with laughter.
“Don’t you kids have any luggage?”
Jamie ran a hand through his still-damp hair and sighed, reality interrupting fantasy once again.
“We were taking a walk. Left the truck down the road at the Coyote Bluff Café.”
Frank’s gaze left Jamie’s as he glanced outside.
“Should blow over in a few if you want to wait it out. Or I could give you a lift. Was just thinking you might want to get out of those wet clothes. There are robes in the room.”
He raised his eyebrows at Jamie who stole a glance at Brynn.
“I’m freezing, Jamie. I’d love a hot shower…”
She trailed off, and he wasn’t sure how to proceed. Of course he couldn’t drive the truck back here, but what was the other option? Pacing their room in his soaked clothes, waiting for Brynn to warm up and say something about that kiss? Or did she want some time to herself, to remind herself why she was on this trip in the first place—to once and for all make things happen with Spencer Matthews?
“We’ve uh…” Jamie started, and Brynn hiccupped and then giggled where she stood.
Frank nodded. “Ahhh…of course. You two have been celebrating. If you give me your keys, the wife and I will grab it for you. You don’t want to leave it unattended overnight.”
Jamie opened his mouth to protest, but Dora cut him off.
“We insist,” she said. “Now you two go get warmed up.”
“Thank you,” Jamie said, then turned to Brynn. “How about you go have that shower, and I’ll wait here for the truck and our stuff?”
She nodded and let out a shaky breath, and Jamie knew he’d chosen wisely—deciding to hang back and give her some space.
“I’ll get the bride to her room before we leave, and then we’d love to have you join us and the other guests for dinner at seven. Frank’s chili is the best in Amarillo, and I’ve got my blueberry cobbler for dessert. Say you’ll join us. All included in the newlywed package.”
Dora winked, and Jamie didn’t know if he should wink back, if there was a private joke he was a part of but didn’t know the punch line yet. Instead he deferred to Brynn again, and she shrugged and nodded.
“We’d love to, Dora. Thank you. My name is Brynn, by the way.” She held out her hand to shake Dora’s. “And that’s Jamie.” Jamie smiled when Brynn pointed to him. “Thank you so much for taking good care of us.”
Dora threw her hand over Brynn’s shoulder and started leading her away from the entrance. “Sure thing, honey. A lot of newlyweds come through here, but they’re not all the real deal. I know the real deal when I see it, and it warms my heart to play a tiny part in you two starting your new life together.”
It must have been Jamie Dora had her eyes on during that kiss because yeah, that was the real deal. It was Brynn who was putting on the stellar performance, wasn’t she? Sure she was drunk, but that kiss felt too real. In her inebriated state, was she finally starting to see?
…
Brynn didn’t pace. Wild gesticulation—that was her thing. But this pacing? This frenetic energy made it impossible for her to stay in one spot, let alone concentrate enough to get out of her wet clothes and into the shower that just minutes ago was the only thought that kept her jelly legs from collapsing underneath her.
But now that she was alone, her only thought was that kiss—Jamie’s lips on hers like he was claiming her. What the hell kind of performance was that? Because that’s what it was, right? Jamie was with Liz. Even if he wasn’t, he had pushed her away the last time this happened, and she’d made him swear to never talk about it again. He had yet to make a real commitment to any woman, insisting his indefinite bachelor status meant he’d never end up like his parents did, and maybe she’d always taken a secret comfort in watching him stay unattached. But Liz—she’d lasted longer than the rest, and Jamie seemed happy. Maybe this was it. Maybe Brynn had realized too little too late, and that show they put on in the entryway of this adorable B&B, where a garden apparently exploded in the aptly named Garden Cottage, was just a show. A drunk, silly show.
Her phone buzzed and she jumped, having forgotten it was in her back pocket. Thank God for her waterproof case.
It buzzed again as she pulled it out, and she stared at the two text notifications before she opened them up and read.
Spencer: I was just thinking about you. Are you on the road? Will I see you before the launch?