She fanned herself with her napkin. “I can’t help it. The man is passionate.”
“Now you’re making me jealous.”
Harmony reached across the table. “Don’t be jealous. There’s an awesome and hot man out there for you somewhere.”
“I know there is, and I’ll find him, but, honestly, I’m not in a hurry. My business keeps me busy. Though it doesn’t give me countless orgasms, and from the satisfied look on your face, I’d say you’ve had quite a few lately.”
Harmony laughed. “This is true.”
They finished off their wine and Alyssa followed her to Mama’s house. As they parked outside, Alyssa put her arm through Harmony’s.
“So, this might be awkward tonight. Barrett’s going to be here, isn’t he?”
“We talked on the phone last night and he said he was going to be.” She turned to Alyssa. “Oh, and one more thing I forgot to mention. Barrett has asked Mama and Drake and me to come down to his family’s ranch in Texas this weekend. His parents have invested in a blues club that’s opening in Austin, which is near their ranch, and all Barrett’s brothers will be there as well.”
“So . . . meet the parents time already?”
“I don’t think it’s like that.”
They headed toward the door and Alyssa gave her a knowing look. “But maybe it is.”
Maybe it was. But she didn’t think so. It was just an invite to the ranch for some fun. She knew Barrett and two of his other brothers were getting ready to start the football season, and they all wouldn’t have much time to get together with family, so this was an opportunity.
That he’d invited her family was just about him being nice, and didn’t mean anything more than that.
As soon as they walked in the house, the familiar chaotic noises of family and friends greeted her. She went to find her mother, who was seated at the dining room table with Harmony’s two aunts.
She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Hi, Mama. Hi, Aunties.”
“Hello, Harmony. I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
She set her purse on the table and sat in the chair her Aunt Michelle had just vacated. “I know. Work has been really busy.”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “Not too busy, I hope.”
“It’s hectic for sure, but nothing I can’t manage. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, honey. Making ribs for dinner tonight.”
Harmony laughed. “If I’d known that, I’d have gone home to change out of this white dress.”
Mama patted her hand. “That’s okay. We’ll get you a bib.”
“And won’t she look so cute in that?” Drake asked, leaning over to kiss Mama on the cheek.
“Shut up, Drake. I’m not wearing a bib.”
“It’s your dress,” Drake said, winking at her before wandering off to join his friends.
Harmony took a quick peek, saw Barrett in the group, then turned away before anyone could notice her looking at him.
“So tell me about work and what’s got you so busy?” Mama asked.
Harmony filled her mother in on work, then excused herself to go grab a glass of iced tea. Alyssa joined her.
“Your man is looking fine tonight,” Alyssa said.
She chanced a look. Alyssa was right. Barrett wore a tight-fitting dark T-shirt and relaxed faded jeans, and all she wanted to do was go over to him and kiss him, then put her hands all over him.
So. Frustrating.
Their gazes met, and he slanted a brief smile in her direction before turning his attention back to Drake and the other guys.
“I saw that look,” Alyssa said.
Harmony turned to her. “So did I.”
“I swear, it’s like the temperature in the house just rose ten degrees. I might go up in flames just being in the same room with the two of you.”
Harmony laughed. “Shut up, Alyssa.”
She made her way around to say hello to friends and relatives. Somehow, she and Barrett ended up in the kitchen together.
“Hey,” she said, wishing she could touch him.
“How’s it going?”
“Good. Stopped by your house today.”
He nodded. “I was there the other day. They’ve made a lot of progress. Walls are in place and drywall and flooring is in. I can see how the place is going to look now.”
“I really like how it’s taking shape. You’ll be surprised how fast they finish it. Before long I’ll be putting the final decorating touches on it. In fact, you need to make the final decision on paint because they’re waiting on that.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Drake came over and draped his arms around both of them. “You two over here talking pillow colors?”
“You know it’s my favorite topic,” Barrett said.
“How’s the place coming along?” Drake asked.
“Good. You need to come by and take a look.”
Drake stepped back. “What? And miss the big reveal? I’ll wait for the open house. The one that comes with beer.”
Barrett laughed. “Okay.”
“In the meantime, Mama said dinner’s ready.”
They sat and ate and, as usual, Mama and her aunts had set out a feast—way more food than Harmony could eat in one sitting.