Kissing Jenna (Big Sky 2)

“We should probably turn our ringers off now because they’re about to go crazy.”

She just laughs and launches herself into my arms.

“I’m crazy about you, movie star.”

***

It’s been two weeks of craziness. The media had a field day with the announcement of our engagement, and I had to have Nina and my social media team field hundreds of requests for comments and interviews.

I’ll give them all a nice bonus for the extra work they’ve put in.

This evening, we’re attending an engagement party that Jacob is hosting for us up at the Lodge on the mountain. I think that half the town came out for it, given that Jenna knows everyone.

Nina flew in for it yesterday, and even Luke and Natalie Williams arrived a couple of days ago.

Jenna and I spent the day house hunting with them, and they’ve decided on a place on the lake. It seems the Williams family will be making many trips to Cunningham Falls in the future.

The food is set up buffet-style so we can all mingle and eat at our own leisure. The room is beautiful with twinkling lights strung overhead and fresh flower bouquets on each table.

Jenna is a few tables away, gorgeous in a white dress that shows off her shoulders, her hair swept to one side, and her makeup flawless. She’s laughing with Grace and Nina, and it makes me happy to see that my sister and my love are mending things between them, one day at a time. Jenna’s capacity to forgive is astounding to me.

“Hi,” a tall man says as he approaches, and I immediately recognize him from the photo on the gossip site. “I’m Noah King.”

“Good to meet you.” I shake his hand. “And I need to thank you. If it wasn’t for the photo of you hugging Jenna, I might not have come back when I did.”

He smiles and looks down at his feet, then at me. “I’ve never had a hug get me in so much hot water before.”

“You’re lucky.”

“You be good to her. She deserves it.”

“You’re right. She does.”

He nods and walks on, pulling Jenna in for another hug, and this time, I don’t even want to slug him.

Progress.

I scan the room, enjoying a free moment to take everything in. Luke and Natalie are talking with Brad and Hannah. I love that everyone here is happy for us as a couple, not because there are celebrities in attendance, and so far, no one has acted like a fool.

It goes to show what I already know, that Cunningham Falls is a community full of respect and honor, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

Max is standing off to the side, watching Willa intently.

“Careful,” I say as I sidle up next to him. “You don’t want to be labeled a creeper.”

He snorts. “I’ve been called worse.”

“You should go ask her to dance.”

He shakes his head no. “There’s a lot of history there, man. Too much. Trust me when I say, Willa doesn’t want to talk to me, let alone for me to touch her.”

I notice Willa glance this way, then quickly avert her gaze to the other side of the room.

“Oh, I don’t know about that.”

He sighs. “That ship sailed a long time ago. Congratulations. I’m truly happy for you and Jenna.”

“Thank you.”

“If you fuck it up, Brad and I can still make it look like an accident.”

“Understood.”

Max winks and walks away, and I wander over to Jacob and shake his hand.

“Thanks so much for hosting this, Jacob.”

“Oh, I’m not hosting,” he says with a frown. “Your sister planned all of this. I just provided the space.”

“She didn’t say,” I mutter, watching as Nina tells a story to the other girls, using her hands in grand gestures before they all collapse into a fit of giggles.

“She did a lot of work,” Jacob replies with a wink. “I think I’ll go get some dessert.”

I nod as he walks away, and I wander over to the DJ, ask him for the mic, and when the music stops, I tap the top of the microphone, getting everyone’s attention.

“Good evening,” I begin. “First, I need to extend a huge thank you to our host. You went above and beyond, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Of course, you thought you pulled one over on me, but a brother always knows. Thanks for this party, Nina.”

Jenna’s jaw drops, and she throws her arms around Nina, hugging her close as the applause breaks out. Nina blushes and just shrugs at me when Jenna pulls away.

“And now, if my fiancée would please join me.” I hold out my hand, and Jenna glides to me, her gown flowing around her. She takes my palm, and I immediately kiss her cheek. “I’d like to take a moment to twirl my girl around the floor.”