by Sabrina York
Marky frowned. “Now none of the women are even going to look at the rest of us,” he complained.
“Well, they’re all yours,” Brandon said, tugging Porsche closer. “I got dibs on this one. And you better get back out there,” he added. “The natives are getting restless.”
And they were. Chanting for another dance.
As Brandon led Porsche off the stage, grabbing his discarded pants along the way, Cody and Cade started another song and the other dancers fell into line and began to perform.
“What do you say we sneak off into the woods?” he asked as he pulled on the pants and sealed the Velcro.
“I say that is an excellent idea,” she said.
Because, after all, he was gloriously perfect and brave and sexy.
And he was wearing rip-away pants.
Chapter Twenty-five
The party officially ended on Sunday morning after brunch, and as much as Porsche was excited about having time with Brandon alone, she was loath to say good-bye to her friends. As the party guests and dancers started heading for home, she sat with Hanna, Sidney, and Diane in the dining hall, sipping coffee and commiserating over how infrequently they got to see each other.
Funny how that happened. Funny how people you absolutely loved seemed to always be too far away.
“You should stay for a while longer,” Porsche said, when Hanna glanced at her watch.
“I would love to,” her friend said, “but I think Logan is getting antsy to get back to work.”
Diane snorted. “All my boys are workaholics.”
“Stay for lunch at least. Or better yet, come over and spend the afternoon with Ford and Crystal.”
Hanna grinned. “Logan would like that.”
“Maybe we can get Brandon to agree to cook.”
Lisa, who was wandering by with a fresh platter of eclairs, stopped and plopped down next to Porsche. “Oooh. Yes. Let’s do that. After what you said about his steak-making skills, I’ve been dying to see what he can do.”
“Is he that good?” Sidney asked.
“I think the term Porsche used was mouth orgasm.”
“Really?” Diane lifted a brow. She turned to Hanna. “You know I have to try a mouth orgasm steak.” Which was amusing because Diane was married to Sam Wilder, who owned one of the most successful Tex Mex restaurant chains in the southwest. “If he’s that good, we might just snap him up.” She winked.
Porsche grinned. “You won’t be disappointed. I’ll call Ford and see what his plans are today.”
Lisa stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Why don’t we do it here? Ford’s place is great for entertaining, but the kitchen here is better suited for a crowd.”
Sidney chuckled. “How many are we talking about?”
“Well,” Lisa said, counting off on her fingers, “Hanna, Logan, Sidney, Diane, Amy—”
“Amy already left,” Hanna said with a pout.
“Okay no Amy. But Porsche, Brandon, Ford, Crystal, Claire, Cade, Cody—”
“Do we need to include Cody?” Sidney asked in a grumble, but no one paid any attention to her . . . expect Porsche. Porsche noticed.
“That’s eleven. Did I miss anyone?” Lisa shot a glance around the table.
“You forgot Lisa,” Porsche reminded her, just to be polite. And, just to be obnoxious, she added, “And Claire is a vegetarian.”
Everyone stared. “She is?”
Porsche shrugged. “That’s what she told me. But Charlie will eat her steak, I bet.”
“Twelve then? We have at least a dozen steaks in the fridge.”
“Excellent.” Porsche grinned.
“Ahem.” They all turned to Sidney, who had the usual sardonic look on her face. “Has anyone considered asking Brandon if he wants to cook for the cast of Ben-Hur?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Porsche said with a grin. “He loves that movie.”
“You probably should ask,” Lisa suggested.
“He’ll do it if I ask.” But there might have been a hint of uncertainty in her tone. He was a little shy about his cooking abilities.
“Well, there he is,” Lisa said, waving out the window at the group of men, who were standing around a truck in the yard, probably discussing manly things like engine sizes and spark plugs.
Porsche leaped to her feet and headed for the door, as though drawn by a magnet. Lisa followed in her wake. When they approached the knot of beefcake, the conversation halted abruptly, making Porsche wonder if spark plugs were some kind of male state secret. She flashed a brilliant grin, because she really didn’t care what they were talking about, or if it was a manly secret. “Hey guys. What do you think about lunch?”
Cade blinked. “I’m a fan.” He cracked a crooked grin at Lisa. “But then, I enjoy all meals, really.”
Lisa glowered at him, then shot a smile at the others. “We’re thinking about a nice steak meal before everyone hits the road.”
Logan’s eyes glimmered. “I love a good steak.”
“Me too,” said Brandon.
“Excellent”—Porsche hooked her arm in his—“because you’re cooking.”
His expression blanked. “Um, what?”
“Everyone’s dying for your mouth orgasm steak.”
“I’m not.” Sometimes Cody was such an ass.
“Fine,” Porsche said, “we’ll feed yours to the dogs.” To which he winced.
She tugged on Brandon’s arm, pulling him toward the kitchen. “I’d love it if you could make those potatoes again . . .”
“Potatoes gratin?”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
“And veggies?”
“Only if you insist.”
He made a face. “You have to have vegetables for a balanced plate, Porsche.”
“Right. What. Ever. Just make sure the steak is orgasm-worthy. You need to impress Diane.”
“I do?” He blinked.
“Yes. She and her husband own a restaurant.”
He frowned at her. “I’m not following.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just think. It could be a job opportunity. If you’re interested.” She flicked a look at him and was relieved when he smiled.
“Okay. Orgasm-worthy it is.”
“Excellent.”
“How many am I cooking for?”
“A dozen.”
He blanched.
“Don’t worry. You can do it.”
“That’s a lot. How much time do I have?”
Porsche grinned. “At least a couple hours. I still need to call Ford.”
He paled even more. “Ford is coming?”
“Of course.” She laughed at his expression and tugged him along. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here to help.”
At which point—and for no discernable reason—Lisa groaned.
In the end, they kicked Porsche out of the kitchen, which was fine, because it gave her more time to chat with Hanna and Sidney. As Lisa and Brandon worked, everyone—including Ford and Crystal and Claire and Charlie, who had come running when they heard what was going on—broke into little pods, sipped lemonade, and chatted.
Porsche thought this was an excellent time to have that long-needed conversation with Sidney, so she shot her friend a smile and said, “Wanna walk?”
Sidney, true to form, frowned. “Not really.”
“Come on. We need to talk.”
Sidney glanced at Hanna, but her sister was no help, so with much grousing, she extricated herself from the table and plodded with Porsche to the porch, where they sat on the swing.
But once she had her there, Porsche wasn’t sure where to begin. How did one say with complete aplomb, That guy we’ve been fighting over since sixth grade? Yeah. You can have him. But she needed to say something. She wouldn’t feel right without clearing the air.
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Sidney offered her a welcome opening. “So,” she said. “You and Brandon?”
Porsche huffed a sigh of relief. “Yes.”
“Serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
Her friend stared out at the barn, her features twisted in a bitter moue. “Kind of a surprise,” she said at long last.
“Why?”
“I always thought you and Cody—”
There it was.
“Really?” For some reason, her sarcasm surprised Sidney.
She turned her head and stared at Porsche. “I always had the impression there was something between the two of you.”
Porsche snorted. “He never even looked at me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Sidney waved her hand over Porsche, from head to toe, as though that was supposed to explain anything.
“What are you trying to imply?”
“You’re freaking gorgeous.”
“Not as gorgeous as you. And, since we’re being all candid here, I always thought there was something between Cody and you.”
Sidney muttered something beneath her breath. It sounded like a curse.
Porsche edged closer. “Do you love him?”
“Love him?”
Good lord. Porsche reeled back at the bitterness in her tone.
“It would be insanity to love him. A man like that? He flits from flower to flower like a fucking honeybee. He will never settle down with one woman. Not. Ever.” She shook her head and looked away. “Besides. He had his chance with me. He blew it.”
Porsche’s eyes went wide. She was dying to know what kind if chance it had been, but she knew Sidney better than to ask. Apparently, the debacle had been painful.
“Well, I just wanted to talk to you. To let you know where I’m at. I know we’ve been at odds over him, and I thought it was important to let you know that’s all over.”
Sidney puffed out a breath. “I appreciate that, Porsche. I do. We should never have let a man like Cody Silver come between us.” She forced a smile. “Sisters before misters.”
“Right.” Porsche folded her fingers together and stared at them. She knew Sidney. Knew her well enough to tell when she was hurting.
Cody Silver had a special talent for breaking hearts, it seemed.
She huffed a laugh, one that made Sidney peer at her. “What?”
“I wonder if there’s one woman in this town who’s not in love with him. Or hasn’t been at some time.”
“I doubt it. He was a way of sucking us in. Like an emotional black hole.” The venom with which she spoke was concerning.
“I don’t think he means it.”
Sidney glowered at her. “What?”
“I mean, he never encouraged me. Not a bit.”
“He’s encouraged plenty of women.”
“Most of them knew the score though. I don’t think he’s ever promised anyone anything. Do you?”
From Sidney’s expression, the annoyance on her face, Porsche knew that, whatever had happened between her and Cody, this standard had held true. He had promised her nothing.
And he’d delivered on that promise.
“I think it’s just his nature. Something innate in him. Something driving him on in an incessant search for the next best thing. It’s pretty sad, in my opinion.”
“Are you d-defending him?” Sidney asked in sputtering shock.
“It’s who he is. You accept it or you don’t.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“You don’t have to. That’s the beauty of it. There are more fish in the sea.”
Sidney shot her a dismal glance. “There are lots of fish in the sea. Why is it I can’t forget about that one fat grouper?”
“The one that got away?”
“Yeah.”
“Because he got away. It’s just human nature.”
“How did you forget about him?”
“I didn’t forget about him.”
“How did you cut the cord? The one that keeps us tied to him?”
Porsche shrugged. “I met someone else. Someone who made me realize I didn’t love Cody at all.”
“That won’t help me.” A mumble, but Porsche heard, and it confirmed what she suspected all along. Despite her virulent protestations, Sidney was in love with Cody.
Poor thing.
“A very wise woman gave me advice once, about Cody Silver,” she said.
Sidney’s head snapped up. “Who?”
“His sister.”
“Claire? You’re saying Claire is wise?”
“She was in this.”
“Are we talking about the same Claire?”
“She told me Cody is the kind of man who only wants what he can’t have.”
Sidney sighed. “I fail to see how this is helpful.”
“It might give you some ideas. Think about it.”
Sidney thrust out a lip. “I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want him. And I really hate playing games.”
“I know you do.” She patted Sidney’s hand. “But for what it’s worth, I hope you do find someone who makes you happy. Someone who makes you realize what love really is. And mostly, I hope you find someone who loves you wholeheartedly, the way you deserve.”
There were tears in Sidney’s eyes when she said, “Thank you,” and gave Porsche a hug. But there were tears in Porsche’s too. Because, in all probability, as perfect as he was, Cody Silver was just a lost cause.
Chapter Twenty-six
Lunch was an unmitigated hit.
Not only did everyone rave over his cooking skills, Brandon had a chance to sit down with Logan and talk, and struck up a friendship based on a love of good food, a keen interest in horses, and, of course, the fact that their women were best friends. Brandon looked forward to seeing him again in the future, as he was certain he would.
It was great to chat with Ford too—though Porsche kept eyeing him warily, as though her brother might attack at any moment. Like a grizzly. But the only time Ford got even slightly belligerent was when Brandon mentioned that the Houston Texans were a pretty good team, and even then, he was easily soothed with an extra helping of potatoes.
It warmed the cockles of his heart that Ford liked his steak. He kept eyeing Crystal’s until she gave in and shared, stating, with a hunt of surrender, she couldn’t possibly eat it all.
Diane didn’t say much as she savored her rib eye, but her eyes spoke for her, glimmering with each bite. When she was done, she fixed Brandon with an intent look and waggled her fork at him, saying, “You and Sam need to have a chat.”
All and all, it was a pretty validating afternoon, and he was glad Porsche had pushed him into it.
It was tough seeing everyone pack up and leave after that, but even though he was torn, Brandon was excited to have some time alone with Porsche.
The vet had called and asked to keep Dougal for a couple more days because his incision wasn’t healing up right and Brandon agreed, because a motor home was no place for a dog who needed to keep his belly sterile.
But he missed the little bugger.
Fortunately, Porsche made him forget all that and kept him occupied. They spent most of the evening on Sunday skulking around the ranch looking for a place to be alone, but someone always found them. Eventually they decided to retreat to his camper.
Porsche huffed a sigh as she dropped onto the banquette. “Why is it so hard to find a place we can be private?”
He glanced pointedly around his motor home.
She made a face. “Seriously?”
And he had to admit it. His place was so small. “We could check into a hotel.”
“The only hotel in town burned down six months ago. And it wasn’t a hotel. It was a motel and it was a dump.”
“You know,” he
said contemplatively. “I heard this weird rumor.”
“What?”
“I heard . . . and don’t be shocked.”
“I won’t be.”
“Don’t faint or anything.”
She glared at him.
His grin was wicked. “I heard that Snake Gully is not the only town in Texas.”
She smacked him.
“I know,” he said, his eyes wide, “I was just as surprised as you.”
He loved watching the play of emotions on her face. She was as easy to read as a good book. “Are you suggesting we go away?” she asked with a flick of her lashes.
“Corpus Christi is nice.”
Her eyes lit up, and then her mood deflated like a pricked balloon. “Ford’s been pretty patient. I don’t want to push it.”
“Oooh,” he said. “There’s an idea.”
She tipped her head to the side and shot him a curious glance. “What?”
“We can send Ford and Crystal to Corpus Christi, and we can stay at your place.”
Her barked laugh held little humor. “Are you insane?”
“You did say he had a million condoms.”
“Brandon.”
He grinned at her. “I do admit, I have condom envy.”
“You could buy your own.”
“Yeah, but everyone in town would know who I planned to use them on. That kind of puts a crimp in the plans.”
She dissolved into a peal of laughter.
“What?”
“I’m just envisioning Sweet Sally’s expression as you come into the five-and-dime and buy the bulk pack.”
“Bulk pack?” He waggled his brows. “Hell, I’d clean out her stock.”
“Would you?”
“Yup. We’d use them too.” And he wasn’t kidding. She lit a fire in him that could not be doused.
“Promises, promises,” she muttered, and then, upon reflection, she smacked him. “Oh gross. I just had a thought.”
“Heaven forbid.”
She smacked him again.
“Okay. What was it?” he asked.
Her eyes went wide and she made a face. “I had this vision of Willie.”
“Who’s Willie?”
“The creepy clerk who works for Sweet Sally. The last thing I want is him envisioning what we might do with all those condoms.” She shuddered. “Maybe we should leave town.”