Mrs. Bear glowered. “That’s going a bit over the top, isn’t it?”
Goldie wasn’t sure if Adrian’s mom was referring to her comment or her son’s.
“I like her,” Jordan said, twirling a set of keys around his fingers. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to pick up Taylor.”
“I expect to see you for the entire length of the fundraiser,” Mrs. Bear called, rotating to follow his trajectory to the door.
“Got it, Mom,” Jordan called without glancing back. He pushed through the front door and trotted down the steps outside.
Goldie’s cheeks hadn’t quite doused, thanks to the bullseye he’d landed on her. Smoking hot? Really?
Jordan’s headlights disappeared when another set of headlights took their place. Seconds later, Chase took the porch steps two at a time and popped his head in. He was also looking gallant in a tux.
“Ready, Mom? Hiya, Goldie. The dress looks great.”
Goldie smiled and waved at him. Another surge of unease swept over her. She wasn’t used to this much attention. “Tell Kimmy I said thanks.”
“You can tell her yourself when we get there.” Chase held the door wider for Mrs. Bear and offered his mother his arm to guide her down the porch steps and toward the car.
“Shall we?” Adrian held a hand toward the reception desk and the door. Pressing her lips in a flat smile, Goldie lifted her skirt and followed them out.
The sky was a wine spill, mixed with shades of amber and gold. Goldie took a moment to inhale the scents of honeysuckle and sage and the spread of simplicity all around her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to it here, even if she were to stay for the rest of her life.
The setting sun cooled the evening off. Even so, she was grateful she’d opted for an updo of her hair.
“See you guys there,” Adrian called from beside his sleek Hummer.
“I expect the same of you, too, you know,” Mrs. Bear said. The back door of Chase’s car remained open, and she was resting a hand on the side and pegging a poignant glance at Adrian. “I know how you like to leave early, but I’d like you to remain the entire time.”
Adrian nodded, opening the passenger door to his car. Goldie did her best to make her way to him in heels. She’d never worn heels like this. Oh please, she prayed, don’t let me trip and ruin the dress before the evening has even begun. Why had she picked a gown that was likely to show every stain or smudge she came across? She ended up managing just fine and, with the help of the interior handle, levered herself up onto the sleek, dark, leather seat. The car smelled brand new. He must not have had it for long.
“I thought we were riding with them?” Goldie asked as Adrian climbed into the driver’s seat and cranked the ignition to life. The smooth machine purred.
“After thinking it over, I figured it might be a little crowded,” he said. “Unless you want to.” He tilted his head to the side, but the other Bears were already making their way down the drive.
“I’m good,” she said quickly, offering him a smile.
She wasn’t sure what she expected as far as the venue went. Two Pines was small and unimpressive, the kind of town least likely to stand out on any map. The largest building was maybe the court house, but even then that was no place to hold an event like what she was picturing.
“Where is this going to be held at?” she asked.
“At the high school gym,” he said, turning the corner and onto the paved road that led back into town. “It’s the largest place around here to fit everyone into one location.” He shot her a smirk that she returned.
Goldie couldn’t help but notice landmarks—her tried and true method of navigation. A pawn shop with paint peeling on the exterior. A landscape company in the shape of a large barn, offering samples of rock and mulch in piles behind rope. The same gas station they’d passed on the way to her aunt’s house remained on the corner, which meant she wasn’t far. An exciting little thought hitched in her chest.
“I wonder if my aunt will be here tonight. You said the whole town usually comes?”
“I don’t know about the whole town,” he said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw her.”
Too bad Goldie didn’t know what she looked like. She’d asked her mom to show her pictures, but that worked about as well as a car without keys.
A large tiger was painted on the outside of Two Pines High School, along with bold, white letters identifying the school and its mascot. It appeared to be about the same size as her own school had been. Single level, brick, made for a small student body.
The parking lot was filling faster than Hobby Lobby on a Saturday afternoon. Goldie noticed Chase’s car parked a little ways off, while Chase and Kimmy waited for Mrs. Bear to exit from the back.
“Your mom didn’t have to come early to set up?” Goldie asked.
“She set up earlier today, and then had a crew do the rest for her,” he said, getting out of the car.
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” Goldie said, grateful he couldn’t hear her. The Bear family owned a substantial ranch with a bed and breakfast, land, horses, and multiple houses. They drove insanely nice cars and ran fundraisers to support needs in the town. Their son went around rescuing stranded women in cabins. Just who were these people?
“I hope you’re hungry,” Adrian said, standing beside her with his hands rumpling his suit jacket to tuck into the pockets of his slacks. The night was cool but not chilly, not like the mountain air had been. Still, she hugged her arms around her stomach. If she were being honest with herself, she still wasn’t sure how to act around this suave new acquaintance.
“Famished,” she admitted. She hadn’t eaten anything since his oatmeal earlier. “Are you sure I can’t contribute tonight? Pay for my ticket or something?”
“I’m sure,” he said, offering an arm. Right. Date. Fake boyfriend.
Goldie met his gaze before hesitantly sliding her arm through to rest on the croock of his elbow. He’d smelled amazing during their drive here, but now, standing close to him, his scent wafted right to her. He smelled like bottled masculinity, like musk and cedar, wind and trees.
She had to admit, while the newness of this trip overall was off-putting, she was enjoying herself. How many times had she dreamed of a night just like this, entering a stunning event in a pretty gown on the arm of an incredibly handsome guy? Wasn’t this every girl’s dream? And she’d stumbled into it completely by accident.
Soft jazz music hit her ears and warmth sank into her cheeks the moment they stepped into the high school’s main area. The lights were low. Candles and white, twinkling light strands trailed along the hallways and decorated fake trees on either side of a table.
“Hey, Mr. Bear,” a girl sitting behind the desk said. Her hair was in two braids and freckles sprayed across her nose. “We just saw your mom and Chase.”
“Perfect. We’re taking two seats.” He offered tickets from within his jacket.
He already had the tickets? An uneasy feeling lodged in her stomach. Why would he have two tickets already if he wasn’t already planning on bringing someone? He’d seemed insistent otherwise, but had he meant to invite whoever this Danica was after all?