We walk onto the expansive patio at the winery, and I can’t tell who’s more uncomfortable, Emmett or Theo.

Winter and my mom, on the other hand, are gleeful as they lead us to our table.

As the server tries to seat us, my mom speaks up. “There’s actually seven of us now, including the two kids. Maybe we could move a chair to the end of the table? I’m sure it wouldn’t take up much room.”

From behind me, Theo grumbles, “Maybe they could bring you a dog bed, Bush? You might be more comfortable sitting on one of those.”

Emmett lets out a raspy laugh under his breath before mumbling back, “That’s rich. Word around the locker room is that you barked at your wife the first time you met her.”

“Actually, that’s totally out of context,” Theo defends himself, but Winter doesn’t let him get away with it.

She turns to look at Emmett, smiling politely as she confirms, “Yes, he did in fact bark at me.”

My brother laughs. “You fucking loved it.”

Winter glares in response, but her lips wobble. If nothing else, Theo’s endless positivity has brightened Winter over the course of their relationship. They complement each other perfectly. She doesn’t take his shit, and he’s not scared off by hers.

My eyes slip to Emmett as the server pulls another chair over for him, and I realize that we have the same thing.

His shit doesn’t scare me. And he can handle mine.

With that nugget at the forefront of my brain, I shuffle around the table and sit next to him while Theo and Winter settle the kids in a high chair and a booster seat.

Then my mom sits down, spreads her napkin over her lap… and winks at me before addressing the table. “This might be the most exciting birthday lunch of my life. Emmett, thank you for joining us. I’m not going to grill you about this today. Because I have a sinking suspicion that you two”—she flips a finger between us—“are up to something you shouldn’t be, considering you’re both working on that show.”

Neither of us denies it, and my expression turns sheepish.

“But sometimes,” she continues, “that’s where the strongest foundations are forged. In fire and brimstone. Hot and cold. And unlikely circumstances. So, when your work relationship is wrapped up, we’re going to do this again, and you’re going to tell me all about it. But for now, I just think all of you should know…” She turns to look at each of us, her smile softening even further when she gets to her grandchildren. “That Gabriel would have loved to see us all together like this.”

I blink my eyes, choked up at the thought of the father I never got to know. The one who died riding a bull. And now here I am, signing up for the same possible heartache that my mom did.

But something has changed in me, because for the first time in my life I understand why she’d have overlooked the risk. Why Winter does too. Loving these men is terrifying… and worth it.

Emmett must pick up on my feelings, and he doesn’t hesitate to slip a strong hand over my back, rubbing gentle circles between my shoulder blades to comfort me.

My gaze moves to my brother. He’s watching the motion, not with judgment, but with pure dumbfounded disbelief.

I smile at him. Dumbfounded is a whole lot better than horrified.

It gives me hope that this all might work out. Because while I’ve always sworn I wouldn’t date a cowboy… I’d be willing to make an exception for this one.

Theo waits until Emmett has departed for the night before he begins his inquisition. Mom, Winter, and the kids are setting up by our vehicles, and it’s just us in line for popcorn at the drive-in.

“So, you and Emmett, huh?”

Though he attempts to appear nonchalant—hands shoved in his pockets, shoe tapping the grass—I know his true nature. He’s probably been rehearsing this in his head for hours, coming up with a cool but concerned way to approach me.

“Yup, Emmett and me.”

The buttery-sweet scent of popcorn and minidonuts drifts between us as his eyes sneak over to my face, his sad attempt to pretend he’s not looking at me.

“Is it serious?”

I run my tongue over my teeth, trying not to give anything away. I want it to be serious.

Badly.

But I’m a practical person. There are so many obstacles in our way. I want Emmett for myself, and I want him to cash in and save his family farm too. I haven’t even let myself wallow in the reality that even if we let this turn into something real, it will need to be in secret. For at least a year, until the show airs and his contract expires.

And yet…

“Yes.”

He sniffs and scrubs a hand over his cheek. “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest.”

A slow smile tips my lips as I tilt my head toward my brother. “Good thing you’re not the one involved with him then.”

“You’re my sister, Jules.”

“And you’re my brother, Theo. But you’re a cool brother. Not like other brothers. Which means you’re not going to do the gross thing where you get worked up over who your sister dates.”

A low grumble emanates from his throat, and I know I’ve hit him with something he can’t deny. We’ve always prided ourselves on having a healthy, open, nonjudgmental relationship.

Something that won’t be changing now just because Theo has professional friction with the guy.

“I believe in you,” I tease, bumping my shoulder against his. I expect him to smile and give me a brotherly side hug before we carry on. Back to normal. Enjoying the rest of our mom’s birthday.

But that’s not what happens.

Theo peers down at me, his expression grave. “I just hope you know what you’re doing. I don’t want you to get hurt. Because I’m familiar with Emmett. I’ve seen him on tour. He breaks hearts. He gets around, Jules. He’s not a one-woman guy.”

My cheeks heat and I roll my lips together to cover my discomfort. When Theo turns serious, it’s unnerving. I’m used to him being playful and jokey—not concerned.

His warning lands with unexpected weight, dropping like a rock in my stomach. Today was perfect in so many ways. I left that lunch feeling hopeful and brimming with love.

And Theo decided to ruin it for me in the name of being a protective big brother. A little irritating, especially considering his reputation before meeting Winter.

Planting this seed of unease isn’t what I needed from him, and I won’t give him the satisfaction of feeding into his warning.

Instead, I cross my arms, offering him a stiff shrug and a pointed smirk. “Well, once upon a time you weren’t either.”

Then I step away and order myself a popcorn, pretending like this conversation never happened.

OceanofPDF.com

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 42

Emmett

Richard

Just attaching these photos for you as a friendly reminder that you have until tomorrow morning to decide how you want to play this.

I left that lunch with Julia’s family feeling confused and foggy about a lot of things.

But one thing that has become clear to me is that I’m hopelessly in love with Julia Silva.

Against all the odds and against all the promises I made to myself that I’d never end up here, I have tumbled headfirst into uncharted territory. And while I know little about how being in love with a person changes things, I know that if I don’t put Richard in his place I’ll never forgive myself.

Contractually, I’m stuck.

Emotionally, I’m unavailable.