Smiling, I shook my head. “Not really.”
The next thing I knew we were all sitting around the table laughing our asses off as two hours passed by. Finn and Angie really got into the game and were in a dead heat to take over the entire board. Jenn and I had long since dropped out of the game. Preston and Wes seemed to be making sideline deals against Angie.
“Well, look at this sight.” The booming voice that came from behind me caused me to turn around.
My mouth dropped open as I looked at an older version of Preston. “Oh wow,” I whispered.
Jenn leaned over and said, “I know, now you see where Preston and the boys get their looks. He’s been gone for two days helping a friend with a building project. Let me go say hello.”
Blushing, I smiled at Jenn. Giving me a playful wink, she stood up and walked over to her husband. He wrapped her up in his arms and lifted her off the ground as he kissed her. The act was so intimate that I turned my head, only to find Preston looking at me. Wes asked him something, causing him to pull his eyes away from me. My heart was racing for some reason and I felt my body heating up.
Turning back to Jenn and Mr. Ward, I watched as they smiled and spoke softly to each other. So this is what love looks like. A true honest-to-God love. I wanted this. Desperately. Peeking back over at Preston, my breath caught in my throat as I watched him throw his head back and laugh at something his brother had said.
It was in that moment I realized I wanted all of that and I didn’t want it with anyone else but Preston.
“Preston, would you like to be a good guest and introduce Harmony to your father?” Jenn said as she motioned to me. Preston jumped up and smiled.
Walking over to his father, they shook hands and Mr. Ward pulled Preston in for a quick man hug. Preston turned back to me as I stood up and made my way over to the three of them. As I drew closer, Mr. Ward let out a whistle as he held out his hand to me. Taking my hand in his, Preston’s father brought it up and placed his lips gently on the back of my hand as I let out a nervous giggle.
“All right, Dad, that’s enough. She’s mine.”
Sucking in a breath, I looked at Preston as he and his father exchanged laughs.
She’s mine. My stomach dropped at Preston’s words.
Preston turned to me and placed his hand on the small of my back. Goosebumps raced across my skin and my heart melted at the simple gesture.
“Dad, this is Harmony. Harmony, this is my father, Mike.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ward.”
Waving his hand at me, Preston’s father shook his head. “It’s Mike, Harmony. Please call me Mike.”
Nodding, I said, “Mike it is.”
Giving me a nod, he looked up and the next thing I knew, Finn and Weston were standing around their father.
Preston stepped closer to me and placed his lips near my ear. “You look tired, Harmony.”
Stay strong, Harmony. His smell is not knocking you out of your socks, his hot, sexy voice is not penetrating into the very depths of your soul, and his stunning green eyes are not piercing your eyes and beckoning you to him.
Parting my lips, I fought to find the words to speak. What in the hell is happening to me?
Shaking my head, I whispered, “I’m not tired.”
Raising an eyebrow, Preston tilted his head and then smiled.
“Yes! I told you she wasn’t tired, Preston.” Angie grabbed my hands and pulled me toward the stairs. “Come on, Harmony. We’re changing.”
Looking back at Preston, I saw he was grinning as he shook his head. “Changing for what?” I asked as I watched Preston until Angie had pulled me all the way to her room.
“We’re going dancing! The club is eighteen and older so you and I can go. Although Preston told me your birthday is tomorrow.” Putting her finger up to her mouth, she said, “Don’t worry, he made me promise not to tell my mother because you didn’t want anyone to know.”
Before I even had a chance to protest, I had tried on three different dresses before Angie settled on a teal blue cocktail dress. She went on and on about how the teal brought out the blue in my eyes.
“Holy shit. You have killer legs. Wait until my brother sees you in this dress. He’s gonna jizz in his pants.”
My mouth dropped open as I let out a gasp. “You did not just say that!”