831 Marriage Lane (Cherry Falls)

Besides, if Travis and I were meant to be, we should have been together years ago. It might be some silly dream or romantic fantasy, but I believe when you find your person, you know. I glance back over my shoulder, trying to find the man from before, but he and Lennon are both gone now. My heart drops.

“Can we get two sangrias?” Travis asks when we get up to one of the booths.

“Coming right up,” the girl working the booth chirps before grabbing two wine glasses. I need to make my escape. This is the last thing I want to do when I’m supposed to be having fun. If he buys me a drink, I’m going to have to hang out with him for a bit. I don’t consider sitting here with Travis fun.

“I should really—”

“I thought we could talk about your family's loan with my family's bank,” he says, cutting me off. He knew damn well I was going to try and make an escape. I stare at him in a bit of shock. Travis isn’t only a jerk, he’s a grade A asshole.

“Make that three. Can’t let another man buy my girl drinks.” I turn my head to see those icy blue eyes staring at me as he walks toward Travis and me.

He comes to stand next to us. I watch as he pulls out his wallet, dropping money down for the drinks before he goes for Travis’s hand next. He plucks it right off my shoulder before pulling me over to him and replacing it with his own arm.

“Your girl?” Travis sputters, his eyes bouncing between me and blue eyes.

“Well, I’m hoping to have that talk with her tonight about the whole my girl thing, but I think we’re there. Don’t you, love?”

A smile breaks out across my face. Mr. Thick, as I’m calling him now, is all but proving my romantic fantasy true.

When you find the one, you just know.

3

Kenton

“There? I was sure you were going to ask me to marry you tonight.” The pretty girl on my arm smirks up at me. Her words might be teasing, but nonetheless they should have me running. Instead I lock my arm around her a bit tighter. This must be that instant karma bullshit I hear people talk about. Because this little bit has knocked me right on my ass.

“Don’t go ruining my surprise,” I tease her right back. Her lips curve, and I know she’s fighting a laugh. I don’t want her to hold anything back from me, ever. I want to hear it.

“You’re not even from here,” the jackass in the light teal polo states.

“Not yet. Carla has been showing me some places, though,” I lie. It comes easy to me with my profession and all. Plus, I don’t owe this asshole any sort of explanation.

My little bit’s nose scrunches up in disapproval at the mention of the name. It was the only one I could think of. Probably not a good one to use since she tried to grab my ass when I met her twenty minutes ago. She introduced herself and told me she was in real estate. All lies need a bit of truth to them. It was all I had.

“Carla.” The jackass standing in front of me smirks.

“Yeah, she’s a bit handsy. I was going to talk to my girl about helping me find a new agent. Now that we’re getting married, I suppose she should help me find a place.” My girl goes back to fighting a laugh. A tightness in my chest releases, knowing she’s not pissed anymore about the Carla comment.

This is bad. Real fucking bad. I shouldn’t care whether she’s upset or not. I barely even know her. But that’s going to change real soon. I plan on knowing every single part of her.

“Drinks,” the girl behind the booth says before putting all three of them down.

“Keep it.” I nod to the money I dropped down.

“Thank you,” she says before she’s taking the next order.

I hand my girl one of the drinks before I take one for myself. “You ready?” I ask.

“Yeah. Later, Travis.” She gives him a tight smile that doesn't meet her eyes. I file his name away along with his comment about the loan he was talking to my lil bit about.

It didn’t take me but two seconds to tag the kind of man Travis is. His future wife is going to need a good lawyer, that’s for sure. I can spot these assholes from a mile away. A lot of men are as bad as gold diggers. Travis is a different breed, though. He’s looking for an innocent to sink his fangs into.

“Thanks for that.” She relaxes more into my hold, making no move to get out from under my arm. “I’m Gabby, by the way.” Gabby. I’m guessing it’s short for Gabriella. I remember Lennon mentioning her name when I found him. This is her family's land, if I’m remembering correctly.