“It’s damn good, Finn.”

  Finn grinned. “Thanks. Remind me when I get back from my honeymoon and I’ll give you a tour of the distillery.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “I hate to break up this guy gathering,” Brenna said, walking into the midst of the guys to take Finn’s hand. “But I need to dance with my husband.”

  “See ya, mates,” Finn said, immediately tuning out everyone else to focus his attention on Brenna.

  Just as it should be.

  Everyone else wandered off, leaving her with Kane.

  “Guess what?” she asked him.

  “What?”

  “I’m finished working for the night.”

  “I saw you running nonstop. Did you even eat?”

  “Of course I did. The food was too spectacular to pass up.”

  “Yeah, it was.” He took her hand in his and led her toward the dance floor. “I guess that means you’re ready to dance with me.”

  “Oh, I’m ready to do a lot more than that, but we can start with a dance.”

  He pulled her into his arms and they glided across the floor. Dancing with him was as easy as everything else they’d done together. They fit, his body aligned with hers, his touch eliciting sensations, his eyes locking with hers. It was…

  Perfect.

  But only for now, she told herself. And just for fun. Because emotions and attachments could only lead to pain and hurt.

  Honor and Owen danced over to them, Honor bumping against her. “Having fun?” she asked.

  “I don’t often get to dance at the weddings,” Mae said. “Okay, never. So, yes, definitely having fun.”

  “I know, right?” Honor tilted her head back. “This is one of the best ones ever.”

  “Except for ours, of course,” Owen said.

  Honor winked at Mae, then laid her head against Owen. “Of course.”

  After the dance they started to make their way back to the table, but Brenna grabbed her arm and dragged them over to the bridal table. “Come sit with us.”

  “Oh, no. Your table is full.”

  “Please. I’m the bride. I get what I want and we’ll make room.”

  In typical Brenna fashion, she asked people to shift, which meant her sisters and brothers-in-law and best friends, so of course everyone did. Mae shook her head, hating to disrupt the wedding party, but when Brenna had an idea, one should get the hell out of her way.

  Everyone seemed good natured about it, and the meal was over anyway, so chairs and drinks were moved and extra chairs were brought in.

  “People always do your bidding like this?” Kane asked Brenna.

  Brenna shot Kane a smirk. “I wish. But they have to today and I’m taking every advantage.”

  Kane laughed and held out a chair for Mae to sit.

  “I’ll get us drinks,” he said.

  “Okay, thanks.”

  He disappeared and Mae noticed he was immediately waylaid by Owen, the two of them leaning on the bar carrying on an intense conversation. She figured it would be a while before she saw him again.

  Honor leaned over to whisper in her ear. “The two of you together are so hot.”

  She sighed as she watched him tilt his head back and laugh at something Owen said. He’d discarded his suit coat, and she couldn’t help but notice his shoulders, and his forearms, since he’d rolled up his sleeves. “He’s hot, for sure.”

  “You’re enjoying him.”

  She tore her gaze away to smile at Honor. “If by enjoying him you mean sex, then yes, I’ve indulged.”

  Honor let out a loud sigh. “Good for you. I’m a little jealous.”

  “Please. You have Owen, speaking of hot men.”

  Honor grinned. “This is true.”

  “You look beautiful, by the way.”

  “Thanks. Luckily my sister knows how to choose good dresses.” She took a sip of something that was definitely nonalcoholic.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Mae asked. “I noticed you haven’t been drinking alcohol lately.”

  “Yes, I’m fine. And, no, I’m not pregnant.”

  Mae’s eyes widened. “Oh, Honor, no. I wasn’t…I wouldn’t ever presume. I’m so sorry if you thought I was asking—”

  Honor waved her hand. “It’s okay.”

  “It’s not okay. I only thought you might be sick. There’s a virus going around and I thought you might have caught it.”

  “Which I did, and then it led to bronchitis, which sucked right before the wedding. So I’m on antibiotics and off alcohol for the time being.”

  “Ugh. I hope you’re feeling all right.”

  “I feel fine now. And thanks for checking in.”

  But she had thought…“Honor, I am so sorry. I would never, ever ask something so intrusive. It’s not my business what you choose to do with your life or your future. I hope you know that.”

  Honor reached out and touched her hand. “Of course I do. I’m just being sensitive.” She took a sip of her drink. “My mother is being somewhat pushy in the baby department. The thing is, Owen and I aren’t ready. Not right now. Or maybe not ever. We haven’t decided yet. We’re both very career focused and we’re not sure that’s the direction we’re headed in.”

  “Hey, it’s no one’s business but yours and Owen’s, and whatever you two decide, it’ll be what makes you both happy, right?”

  “Exactly. And thank you for noticing. And caring.”

  “Always, honey.” She was happy that Honor was all right. Her friends meant everything to her, and the last thing she’d want to do was hurt their feelings. “And as far as mothers, well, I didn’t have the best one, but yours? She’s pretty stellar. And understanding. Maybe tell her how you feel and ask her to back off?”

  Honor sighed. “You’re probably right. Thanks.”

  Mae breathed a sigh of relief. She would never want to upset Honor. Hopefully, Honor would get things straightened out with her mother, and all would be well.

  Kane and Owen came over to where they were seated. Kane placed a glass of wine in front of her, so she took a sip. Owen dragged Honor away to dance, and Mae watched them, realizing how happy the two of them were with each other.

  Just each other.

  “Sorry I was gone so long. Owen was telling me about his brewery. It’s an amazing enterprise he has going.”

  “It sure is. You need to check it out.”

  “I’ll do that. Or maybe you can take me.”

  “I can definitely do that.” She kept her eye on Honor.

  “Something on your mind?”

  “Oh…just…nothing, really. Marriage. Family. Children. Or not.”

  He turned her in her chair to face him. “Nothing, huh? Care to expound on those nothings?”

  “Just a conversation I had with Honor and a discussion about whether to have children.”

  “Ah. And what’s your take on that?”

  She frowned. “On what?”

  “Kids? Yes or no?”

  “Oh. Definitely yes. I love kids.”

  “Me, too. I want tons of them.”

  For some reason, that surprised her, though she had no idea why. Preconceived notions, probably. “Define tons.”

  He looked up, thinking. “I don’t know. Three or four.”

  “You’d better get started. You’re not getting any younger.”

  Now it was his turn to laugh. “Hey, I’m only thirty-two. I could have four by the time I’m forty.”

  “Uh…Does the future Mrs. August know she’s going to be popping out four babies in less than ten years?”

  “Huh. Okay, you have a point. Though there have been twins in my family.”

  “So, two at a time, then. How lovely for her.”

  “Hey. I plan to help.”

  “You won’t be the one carrying or birthing them, bud. That’s on your wife. Or girlfriend. Or whatever you have in mind.”

  “Actually, until we started this conversation, a wife and kids wasn’t even on my mind.”

  “But now it is?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. As you mentioned, I’m not getting any younger.”

  “I know a lot of awesome single women. Want me to set you up with some?”

  He picked up her hand, rubbing his thumb over it. “Trying to get rid of me?”

  With the way her body reacted like a sizzling strike of lightning had hit her, just because he was rubbing her hand? Not a chance. “I can give you a few more days, but only because you seem so desperate.”

  “Appreciate that.” He stood, pulling her up. “Slow song’s playing and I want to feel you up close to me. How about a dance?”

  “How could I say no? Lead the way.”

  She was in deep, deep trouble with Kane August. Because he said all the right things, he got her motor running in all the right ways and he made her feel like when it was time to walk away, it was going to be the most difficult thing ever. And she hadn’t felt that way since the last time she loved someone.

  That just couldn’t happen.

  Chapter

  seventeen

  Kane had to fly to Los Angeles to do some quick reshoots for the movie he’d completed prior to the one he was working on now in Oklahoma. He left before dawn, slept on the plane and landed early. A car was waiting for him to take him to the studio.

  This wasn’t the first time he’d had to do reshoots, and they could take either days or not much time at all. Since he’d worked with this team before, he knew they were quick and professional. He went into hair and makeup, got into costume and met with the cast he was shooting with. He hit all his marks and then they broke for lunch.

  Since he didn’t have a lot of time before he was due on set again, he decided to hit the studio’s commissary. As he walked out of the production stage, he ran smack into—

  “Everly.” His eyes widened as he saw his leading lady for the current movie. More than his leading lady, Everly was one of his best friends.

  “Kane!” She threw her arms around him and hugged him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Reshoots.”

  “How long are you here for?”

  “I’m just in for the day. We just broke for lunch.”

  “Same. Have lunch with me?”

  “Sure. I was just heading for the commissary.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Please. Walk across the street with me. I’m dying for a soup and salad.”

  Now that he had time for. “Sure.”

  They walked arm in arm across the street and were seated immediately at a table near the window. Their server came by and they ordered drinks and their meals. The one great thing about this place—besides the food—was the fast service, which was critical for an actor who had to be back on set.

  “I’m really happy to see you,” Everly said. “And I’m so sorry about delaying our shoot. I had no idea this was going to take so long.”

  “It’s okay. We’ve shot around you on a few scenes with a stand-in. She actually lives on the property and has the same build and coloring as you.”

  “Outstanding. Still, I hope to be done here soon. Geoffrey is never happy with a scene and takes forever to call a shot right. You know how he is.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I do. But he’s also an incredible director, so it’s worth it.”

  “Thanks for your patience.” She laid her hand on his arm. “I know it’s tedious and irritating waiting on a co-star.”

  He laid his hand over hers. “You’re worth waiting for.”

  She smiled. “You always say the right things.”

  Their server brought their drinks and food. Kane dug into his salad.

  “How’s Ethan?”

  She looked around and leaned in. “Shh. No one knows about us yet. Except you. And my parents. And my sister. And my best friend.”

  He snorted out a laugh. “Right. But no one else knows.”

  “Hey. You’re in my trust circle. That says a lot. And he’s a hot commodity. Plus, if it gets out about the two of us, the paparazzi will be staked out at my house.”

  “Photographers follow you around anyway. You being so gorgeous and perfect and all.”

  She took a stab at some lettuce and waved her fork at him. “And you have always been like my annoying big brother, ever since we starred in that juvenile TV show together.”

  “Love you, too, sis.”

  She laughed and they spent the rest of their lunch reminiscing about old times. The good times. The naïve times.

  The one thing he loved about this business was that occasionally you made connections and friendships with people that would serve you for the rest of your life. Everly was one of those people. They’d started out in the biz together, had clung to each other when neither of them knew one end of a camera from the other. They’d gotten through some rough times together. They were family and always would be.

  He valued his friendship with her. She’d been through a tough divorce, some awful relationships, and this new one she was in? Yeah, it was good for her. He knew Ethan, had worked with him on a couple of projects. He was a damn fine actor, and an even better person. Kane couldn’t think of a nicer guy for Everly, and he understood why she wanted to keep this relationship a secret for as long as she could. Nothing could destroy a new relationship quicker than the media.

  As her friend, he intended to help her keep that secret, no matter what.

  Chapter

  eighteen

  Mae was up to her eyeballs in to-do list items in their morning meeting when Erin nudged her.

  “Did you see this?”

  She looked up from her list. “See what?”

  “Kane and some actress looking cozy and intimate together in a coffee shop in L.A.”

  Her heart lurched. She took Erin’s phone, zooming in on the pic of Kane and Everly Sloane looking very cozy, their hands entwined. Her stomach lurched and she wanted to expand the pic, to search every plane and angle and nuance. But then she reminded herself that Kane wasn’t hers, so she handed the phone back to Erin.

  By then, everyone else had looked at the pic. Everyone but Brenna, anyway, since she was off on her honeymoon with Finn. At least that was one less person to see her embarrassed.

  “No big deal,” Mae said. “They work together a lot and they’re friends.”

  “Of course,” Erin said. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “Even if it is, it wouldn’t matter. It’s not like we’re exclusive or anything.”

  “Still, it has to bother you, honey,” Honor said. “He could have told you.”

  “But he probably didn’t even know someone was taking their picture,” she said, immediately realizing she was coming to his defense. Why would she defend him when it was obvious what was going on?

  Her phone pinged and she picked it up to see a message from Kane.

  Just saw the pic of Everly and me. We ran into each other at the studio and had lunch. Nothing happened. Can we talk about it?

  She stared at the message, searching for clues to the real meaning of that photo and finding nothing.

  “Is that from Kane?” Maureen asked, a look of concern on her face.

  “Yes. He wants to talk about the photo.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “I don’t know. I guess we’ll talk. But later.” She laid her phone down. “Right now we have things to discuss, so let’s get to it.”

  Fortunately, they all got back to the items on the agenda, and Mae’s drama was forgotten, at least for now. After the meeting she went back to her office to deal with her to-do list items.

  Honor poked her head in. “Hey. Are you all right?”

  She nodded. “I’m fine.”

  Honor tilted her head.

  “Okay, not totally fine. You know, I have a past with a man who wasn’t honest with me, so I’m wondering if this is a repeat of that. Plus, the whole Hollywood angle.”

  “It’s a valid concern,” Honor said, stepping in to take a seat. “You have to be able to trust the guy you’re with.”

  “Which is why I’ve never wanted a serious relationship with any man since I broke off my engagement to Isaac. I’m not about to put my heart out there again, only to have it trampled. Again.”

  “Noted.” Honor shifted, laying her stuff down on the edge of Mae’s desk. “But, honey. No one deserves love more than you. Eventually you’re going to find someone who loves you back. Wholly. Completely. Honestly.”

  Not if she didn’t let them.

  “Maybe. We’ll see.” She tried to be nonchalant, but she still felt that sting.

  Honor stood and gathered her things. “You know I’m always here if you want to talk.”

  “Thanks.”

  “And, Mae?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t judge prematurely. Kane, I mean. That photo could be nothing. You might want to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  She gave a quick nod. “I will.”

  After Honor left, Mae dug into her list, checking off several of her top items before taking a break to go grab a glass of iced tea. When she got back, she intended to continue on with her list, but she glanced at her phone, realizing she’d never replied to Kane’s text message.

  She picked up the phone and sent a reply.

  Let’s talk tonight, if you’re available.

  She laid the phone down, figuring he was busy filming, but then he texted again.

  I’m available anytime. Dinner at my trailer?

  She thought about it for a few minutes, then replied: That works. See you around seven.

  Now that that was done, she could get back to work.

  It was after six when she finished up for the day. She had done a tour for prospective clients who seemed way more interested in the movie action beyond the vineyard, so keeping their focus on wedding planning had taken longer than she’d expected. But they loved the venue—of course—and said they’d have an answer for her by the end of the week. She went back to the main house and realized everyone had left for the day, including Maureen and Johnny. Louise told her they had gone out for dinner tonight, which meant Louise and her husband, Marcus, also had the night off, though Louise offered to make her something for dinner. Mae declined with thanks and dashed upstairs to her room to change clothes.