“I know Gray. I went to school with his sister. Have you seen his brothers? They’re as gorgeous as he is. They sure know how to breed handsome in that family.”
“Hey.” Tanner was smiling at her. Van turned her head to take him in, suddenly feeling breathless. “You okay?”
“I am now.” She stepped forward, curling her fingers around his lapels. “You look amazing,” she whispered, rolling on her toes to kiss him. “Promise me you’ll let me peel this off you tonight.”
He laughed. “I promise,” he said solemnly. “I just left Zoe and her friends. They started screaming when they saw Gray and I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Van laughed. “They all have a huge crush on him.”
“I got that impression.” He rolled his eyes.
“Tanner Hartson!” a deep voice boomed. Van’s stomach dropped when she saw Johnny Fairfax heading their way, wearing an old-fashioned powder blue dinner suit. Nora was dressed in a peach knee-length dress, her hair perfectly coiffured. Van looked over their shoulder for Chrissie, breathing a sigh of relief when she couldn’t see her.
She’d sent their invitations with gritted teeth. Part of her had wanted to slide them into the shredder, but that would have caused more gossip. She could put up with the Fairfaxes for one night.
And maybe she’d enjoy them seeing everything she and Tanner had achieved.
“Good evening, Johnny,” Tanner said, sliding his arms around Van’s shoulders as if he could sense her unease. She didn’t pull away. Didn’t want to. Maybe she didn’t care what the Fairfaxes thought of her.
“Oh. Are you two an item?” Nora asked, looking from Tanner to Van and then back again. “I didn’t realize. Though I guess it makes sense.” Her lips curled up as her eyes met Van’s. “I did wonder why he gave you the job of running this place.”
Van felt the skin on the back of her neck prickle.
“I gave her the job because she’s good at what she does,” Tanner said mildly. “As you can see.” He nodded at the crowd surrounding them. “I’d call this a success.”
Nora’s smile faltered. “It all looks lovely,” she said, her nose wrinkling as though it hurt her to say.
“It really does. Congratulations.” Johnny leaned forward to shake Tanner’s hand. “Of course it was all my idea.” He smiled as he saw people looking at them, listening in. “I showed Tanner the details, suggested he should make the investment.” He chuckled. “Maybe you should name the drive-in after me. Fairfax Drive-In. That has a good sound, doesn’t it?” He pushed his chest out, like a self-important rooster.
“I’ll think about it,” Tanner said, his tone implying he’d do no such thing.
“Van?”
She turned to see Logan and Cam standing there. Tanner’s brothers looked more alike than ever, both dressed in dark tailored suits and crisp white shirts, their hair slicked back from their handsome faces. She could usually tell the difference between them without issue. Logan was the one who wore suits and talked about food. Cam nearly always had bruises and cuts from playing football, and was much more casual than his twin.
“Can we have a word?” Logan asked her. “In private?”
She nodded and followed them, shooting Tanner an apologetic glance for leaving him in Johnny Fairfax’s clutches.
“Did you find Mom?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
“Yeah. She was in a bar in Shawsville,” he told her, referring to the next town over. She’s pretty drunk, too. I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do with her. She’s sleeping it off in the car.”
“She’s here?” Van’s eyes widened.
“Yep. You want me to take her home?”
Van sighed, pulling her lip between her teeth. “No, it’s okay. If you can stay with her until the movie begins, I’ll take her home then.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.” She reached for his arm, curling her hands around his wrist. “And thanks for going to look for her. I appreciate it.”
“Any time. You’re one of us.” He gave her a soft smile. “Family takes care of family.”
Tears unexpectedly came to her eyes. There was something so sweet about the Hartsons. Every one of them filled her heart. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick. “I truly appreciate that.”
She’d spent most of her life pretending family didn’t matter to her. But now it felt like everything. Tanner and Zoe, his brothers and sister, Aunt Gina, and even his dad – they meant everything to her. Her fractured relationship with her mom felt more bearable than it ever had. Maybe things were looking up after all.