“I’m Dee,” she said sharply. “Walker and I go way back.”
“So I hear. I hope things are going well with your new boyfriend.”
I felt Walker’s fingers tighten on my hip and the subtle shake of a laugh when his ribs moved against my side. He didn’t make a sound, though.
The lines around Dee’s eyes tightened as her smile went from tense to brittle. Walker’s hand squeezed my hip lightly again. I couldn’t tell if that was because he was pleased with me teasing Dee, or warning me against it. Either way, my body sure liked the feel of it with a little zing spinning through me from his touch.
“Walker!” a man’s voice called. “How ya doin’, man?”
Walker shifted toward the source of the voice. A man with brown hair and a lanky stride was angling across the parking lot at an easy jog. Dee glanced in the same direction, annoyance flashing across her face, which she masked quickly.
“Hey, Dave,” Walker said as the man reached us.
Dave pulled Walker into a back slapping hug before stepping away and glancing at me. “You must be Jade. So glad you could make it.”
“You got it, this is Jade,” Walker said.
His silver gaze collided with mine. A hot sizzle of heat raced through me from nothing more than the look in his eyes. This was getting out of hand. Flustered, I faced Dave, whom I knew to be Walker’s best friend and the groom.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to meet sooner. I wasn’t about to miss your wedding, though,” I said with a smile.
If Dave knew whether or not this was a fake date, he certainly didn’t let on. He flashed a grin. “Thrilled you could make it,” he told Dee, coolness entering his gaze. “Steve is looking for you. Are you all set with your room?”
Dee smiled tightly. “Of course we are. We checked in last night.”
“Oh, that’s right. Jenny and I didn’t see you yesterday, so I spaced that y’all checked in early,” Dave replied.
“Well, I should go. I’ve got a few things to take care of before the rehearsal dinner,” Dee said. “Nice to meet you, Jade.” I was pretty sure it about killed her to be polite, but she managed it. Her eyes landed on Walker. “I sure hope we get a chance to talk.”
“So nice to meet you,” I said, injecting a cheery tone in my voice, which really wasn’t all that hard.
Meanwhile, Walker simply inclined his head. “Good to see you, Dee.”
Dave waggled his eyebrows at Walker when Dee walked away, her heels clicking in a staccato rhythm on the pavement as she crossed the parking lot. Only after she disappeared inside the hotel did Dave roll his eyes, hard. “Damn, I wish like hell she wasn’t here. Hope she’s not too much of a pain in your ass.”
Walker chuckled and shrugged. “She’s not. That’s why I’ve got Jade here with me.”
Dave glanced at me. “Walker tells me you’re up for the task of being his girlfriend for the weekend.” He offered this with a sly smile.
“I sure am. Can you clarify something for me, though?” I asked, glancing between them. Walker and I had covered a number of topics on the drive here, but I hadn’t clarified one detail.
“Ask away,” Walker drawled while Dave nodded.
“How are things with Dee and your brother?” I asked Dave.
“Ugh. They’re not too happy with each other, and I don’t know why they’re still sticking it out. He’s no idiot. He knows she’s been barking back up another tree,” Dave replied with a shake of his head.
I snorted a laugh. “Is the tree Walker?”
Walker rolled his eyes. “Tree? Do I look like a tree?”
Dave shrugged nonchalantly. “Nope, but you catch my drift. She’s trying to piss on you to make it clear she owns you. She does not fucking get that she already fucked around on you, and she can’t pull that shit again. I told my mom I’d rather not even have Steve here. We’ve never really gotten along. It’s a big wedding, though, and you know my family.” He addressed that last comment to Walker.
“Oh, yeah, I do. Don’t worry. I got this,” Walker said. I got another little squeeze on my hip with that comment. If Walker kept up with being all touchy-feely, I was going to have a problem.
Another car rolled into the parking lot with a man in the driver’s seat waving toward Dave. “Catch you later. Gotta do more greetings. You’ll be at the rehearsal dinner tonight, right?”
“I wasn’t under the impression I was allowed to ignore it. I am the best man after all,” Walker returned.
Dave winked. “Yeah, but you never were one to toe the line if you didn’t feel like it. I’ll see y’all there. Just text me if you need anything.”
Dave jogged off, and Walker pulled our bags out of the back of his truck. When I attempted to help, he gave me a look.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
“I know you can carry your bag, but so can I. Come on, Jade.”
“Won’t it look better if I carry my bag and we hold hands?”
One dark brow rose in a slash and a laugh rumbled in his chest. “You are good. All right. Carry your bag.”
He handed it over. Once I had a grip on it, he reached for my free hand. His large palm engulfed mine. As we strolled across the parking lot, I felt a pair of eyes on me and found Dee watching us from the porch that ran the length of the center part of the hotel. Walker didn’t appear to notice.
Within a few minutes, we’d passed through the understated and elegant lobby area and checked in. Walker had declined any assistance getting our bags in our room. My hand was still warm in his as we walked down the hallway to our room on the third floor.
When we stepped in the room, I wandered around. It was, of course, lovely. The room was decorated in soft pastels. The walls were painted dove gray with touches of lavender in the trim, and a fluffy gray down quilt on the bed. With it being late spring, the days were already getting hot and humid, although I expected the nights to be cool here in the mountains just like they were in Stolen Hearts Valley.
Walker had already explained we’d be sharing a room. I understood why. It would seem out of place if we had separate rooms. He had assured me he’d called ahead and tactfully requested a room with a foldout sofa bed.
After we set our bags down, I stared out the windows, marveling that we had our own private balcony with a glorious view of the lake. The sun was setting, leaving the sky splashed with fading colors and casting the mountain ridge in shadow.
“We have a small problem,” Walker said, his voice drawing my attention away from the view.
Turning back, I asked, “What’s that?”
His intent silver gaze held mine for a beat before he looked sideways at the bed. I somehow doubted the bed appreciated his eyes as much as I did.
“What’s wrong with the bed?” I asked.
Walker’s eyes caught mine again, and it felt as if lightning flashed between us. “There’s only one. We were supposed to get a room with a foldout sofa,” he explained.
“Oh. I’m sure it will be fine,” I said hurriedly.
Walker began to pull his phone out of his pocket, but I shook my head. “Walker, you heard the woman at the reception desk. The hotel is booked through the weekend for this wedding and another one a few days later. If you think no one will notice if we try to switch rooms when we probably have one of the best here, you’re crazy. Let’s just deal with it. I’ll sleep on the floor.”