“What’s Corbin into tonight?”
“Just going to the Silver Star to grab a bite to eat. Wanted me to come down and shoot a game of pool.”
“You should go.”
“I’m good right here.”
“No, really. I was getting ready to tell you that you don’t have to spend all of your time with me. I know you and the guys used to go out a lot, and well, I don’t want that to change because we’re dating.”
“We’re more than dating, and I want to spend every second of my time with you. I’ll still hang out with the guys, but, Kenna, I just got you. I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
I’m not ready for you to let me go ever.
It’s been a week, and I’m already hooked. He’s charming and generous, and well, he’s one of my best friends. I love spending time with him too.
My phone rings and he leans over, grabbing it from the table and handing it to me. “Hey, Laramie,” I greet my best friend.
“Hey, you. What are you getting into tonight?”
“Nothing much. Rip and I just finished dinner.”
“Cool, let’s go down to the Silver Star for a drink.”
“I think we’re just going to stay in.”
“No. Nope. Not going to happen. Is my brother there with you?”
“He is.”
“Put this call on speaker.”
I hit the button, transferring the call to the phone’s speaker. “Okay,” I tell Laramie.
“Rip?”
“Yes, little sister.”
“I have a bone to pick with you.”
“Let’s hear it,” he says, his voice laced with amusement.
“You’re stealing my best friend. I haven’t seen her all week. Every time I call, she’s with you, which isn’t going to work for me. I love the two of you together. Hell, it’s something I’ve always wanted to happen, but you need to listen up. Stop being a McKenna hog.”
Rip bites down on his fist to keep from laughing. “I’m sorry?” he says, only it’s more like a question than a true apology.
“I’ll accept if you bring her to the Silver Star. Colby is coming with me, and Sara and Corbin are going too.”
“I just talked to Corbin. I told him I was out.”
“Well, now I’m telling you that you’re in. Come on, Rip,” she whines. “I had her first.”
“She’s mine, Lara,” he says. There is no teasing in his voice.
“I know, but you have to share. Don’t make me call Mom.”
This time he does laugh. He throws his head back, and the deep grumble is a welcome sound. “Babe, do you want to go to the Silver Star?” he asks me.
“Mac, you better say yes. You know if you do, he’ll come.”
“Sure, we can go.”
“Yes!” Laramie cheers. “No backing out, you two. I mean it. Meet us there in twenty.”
“We’ll see you there,” Rip assures her, ending the call. “Looks like we’re going out after all.”
“I just need to go upstairs and change.”
“Good idea. You cannot go to the Silver Star wearing booty shorts and a tight tank top. I’ll never make it out of there alive.”
“Why’s that?” I ask coyly.
“Because I’ll have to beat the shit out of all of those nasty fuckers trying to move in on my girl.”
“I’ll be right down.”
“Hey, will you grab me a clean shirt while you’re up there?”
“Sure, which one?”
“I don’t care. Just grab one. I’ve got no one to impress. I’ve already got the girl.” He gives me a swift kiss on the lips and releases his hold on me so that I can run upstairs and change.
I admit I’m nervous. This is our first outing as a couple. We’ve stayed in every night this week. Today we cleaned the house, where he complained I was helping, but I stayed here all week, so that’s the least that I could do. We went over to my grandparents’ and had lunch, and I packed a few more things that I needed. We’ve been in a blissful Rip and McKenna bubble, and I don’t know what’s waiting for us outside of his house.
I guess I’m about to find out.
“Finally!” Laramie sighs dramatically. “I didn’t think you’d ever get here.” She tugs on my arms, pulling me from Rip.
“Hey, she’s mine.” Rip reaches out for me, but Laramie moves to stand, blocking him.
“Nope. She was mine first. I need time with my best friend. You are not going to continue to hog her. Now, go away. Corbin and Colby are back at the pool table. I think Russ is there as well. Sara, Mac, and I are having a girls’ night.”
“That wasn’t the plan.” Rip glares at her, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I knew what I had to say to get you both here. Now go.” She waves her hand in the air.
“Kenna.” Just the sound of him saying my name sends fire through my veins. I step back and out of Laramie’s reach and rush to him. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close. When he pulls back, he slides his hand behind my neck and presses his lips to mine. “Have fun. I’ll be over there if you need me.”
“We’re at the Silver Star. What could happen?” I say, barely containing my smile.
“I just need you to know that you come first. You’ll always come first.”
“Go. Have a few beers, shoot some pool.”
“Why do I miss you already?” he whines.
“Oh my God. McKenna, what have you done to my brother?” Laramie steps beside me and links her arm through mine.
Rip leans in and kisses me again. This time it’s just a quick peck, but the effect it has on me is all the same. My knees are weak, and my smile is wide. “Have fun, beautiful,” he says before bopping his sister on the nose and sauntering to the other side of the bar.
“Girl, you must have some magic going on downstairs,” Sara says when we reach the table.
“What?” I ask, sputtering with laughter.
“I’ve never seen Rip like that before. Never.”
“Um, we’re not sleeping together,” I confess.
“Do what now?” Laramie asks. “He’s into you.”
“I’m into him.”
“Are the two of you official?” Sara asks.
“Yeah, we are.” I fight the urge to glance over my shoulder to seek him out. “We slept together in Vegas, but neither one of us really remember it. Not the actual act, that is.”
“All the more reason for a repeat,” Sara insists.
“We’ll get there.” What I don’t tell them is that our make-out sessions every night this week are a dead giveaway that we will indeed get there. Neither one of us has talked about the fact that we’ve yet to have sex. I think we’re both silently on the same page that we needed some time to get used to this new dynamic of our relationship.
“Enough about me. One week. You’re getting married in one week!” I say to Laramie.
“Finally,” she sighs, sitting back in her chair. “I was good with us taking our time. We started dating when we were so young. We both wanted to make sure that this was it for us. I mean, we both knew, but we wanted to give it some time. From the moment he proposed, I can’t stop this… urgency. I know it’s crazy considering how long we dated, but I’m just ready to be his wife.”