“No. This chair looked comfortable. And we…should keep our distance.”

  He shrugged. “Sure. If that’s what you want.”

  “It is.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  Then there was silence. She shouldn’t have come in here. Now she was stuck. Though she could just get up and walk out.

  “So what do you want to do with your life?”

  Her gaze shot up. “What?”

  “I mean, you’re a wedding assistant, right?”

  “Yes. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing. But you’re smart and I think you can do so much more. Be so much more. What do you want to do?”

  Anger coiled inside her. “I’m happy doing what I do. I love it, actually.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you do. But you could do anything.”

  “I see. So you see me as something less because of what I choose to do for work.”

  “What?” He frowned, a look of confusion crossing his face. “That’s not at all what I said.”

  “It’s exactly what you said.” She stood and walked over to him. “You think you’re so important because you’re an actor, when in fact you’re not doing anything more important than I am. Your paycheck might be a lot bigger, but if you’re totally fulfilled in your job—which I am, by the way—then it’s good enough, no matter what the job is. So how dare you assume that I’m meant to do something more just because you see it as less. Asshole.”

  She turned and walked out. After stopping at costuming to change out of the character’s clothes, she stormed over to the house, fuming the whole way. Her pulse still raced and her blood pounded in her veins.

  She threw the front door open and ran straight into Honor. “Oh, hey, how did the—”

  “Not now, Honor.” She went upstairs to Honor’s room and brushed out the tons of hair spray from her hair, winding it up into a bun on top of her head. She scrubbed her face clean and changed into leggings and a T-shirt.

  Then she sat on the bed and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. She dragged in a deep breath.

  Five minutes. She just needed five minutes to calm down, and then she’d be fine.

  Maybe.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Mae? Honey? Are you okay? Can I come in?”

  She knew eventually Honor would make her way up there. Honor wasn’t one to let things slide.

  “Come on in.”

  Honor came inside and quietly closed the door. Mae thought for sure that all the sisters would be there. She was grateful it was only Honor.

  “You’re upset,” Honor said, grabbing a spot next to her on the bed. “Talk to me.”

  “Kane August upsets me. No, that’s not right. He pisses me off. He thinks what I do is of no importance.” She leaned forward. “Do you know he basically asked me today what I want to do when I grow up?”

  Honor frowned. “What?”

  “Yeah, like what I’m doing now is some stopgap on my way to some sort of greatness that I haven’t discovered yet.”

  Honor stared at her for what felt like an eternity. “Well, fuck him to the moon.”

  Mae snorted out a laugh. “My thoughts exactly.”

  Honor stood and began to pace the room. “How dare he say that what you do isn’t important. So he pretends to be other people and he thinks…what, exactly? That he’s God and he created rain? He’s nothing. Nobody. And we love having you here. You’ve saved weddings for us, Mae. You are the most organized and efficient person I’ve ever met, and that’s saying something, because the Bellinis are incredibly efficient and organized. You have people skills that are beyond compare. You can handle angry mothers, crying brides, stressed grooms and drunken guests with grace and finesse. Those skills don’t come easily.”

  Hearing Honor list her skills warmed Mae in ways she couldn’t explain. “Thank you. I wasn’t fishing for compliments, by the way.”

  Honor waved her hand. “Of course you weren’t because you never seek out accolades. You just do the job that you are good at without complaint.” She turned and glared angry eyes at Mae. “I want to go kick his ass right now.”

  Honor’s tirade had helped a lot. “Thanks, but I think we’ll avoid that. I yelled at him.”

  “Good for you. He deserved it.”

  The door opened and Brenna came in. “What’s going on?”

  “Kane August was an ass to Mae,” Honor said.

  “He was not. Want me to kick his ass?”

  “Unnecessary,” Mae said. “But thank you. I handled him—it—the situation.”

  Brenna sighed. “I could still kick his ass anyway.”

  Honor snickered.

  “Hey, what’s everyone doing up here?”

  Brenna looked at Erin over her shoulder. “Mae’s upset because Kane’s being a jackass.”

  “Oh, do tell. Mom has JJ and I’ve got some free time for gossip.”

  Mae filled them in on what exactly transpired.

  “Wow,” Erin said. “What. An. Ass.”

  “I’m fine, really. But thank you all for supporting me.”

  “Hey, you’re part of our family, Mae,” Honor said. “Of course we support you.”

  She’d never felt so warm and accepted like this. She didn’t have siblings, didn’t know that this was what it felt like. This overwhelming feeling of protection, of occasional teasing, of love.

  “I love you all,” she blurted, then realized they probably didn’t feel as deeply as she did.

  “We love you, too, honey,” Honor said, wrapping her arm around Mae’s shoulder.

  Erin nodded. “And if someone hurts you, they hurt us.”

  “And we don’t stand for that,” Brenna said. “We’ll always have your back.”

  Mae took in a breath. “And I’ll always have all of yours.”

  It had started out a shitty day, but things were looking up now.

  Chapter

  nine

  Something weird was going on.

  Kane had gotten used to wandering the grounds of the Bellini property, and so far everyone had been friendly.

  Until today, when he started getting glares from almost everyone he walked past. He said hello and got polite nods, but not the typical gregarious greetings he’d grown accustomed to.

  What the hell had happened? Because as far as he knew, group grumpiness wasn’t a thing.

  They were setting up in a makeshift house that had been hastily built to be the homestead for Caroline’s family, since the Bellinis had refused to let them use their main house. Not that he could blame them. Using their property was inconvenient enough. Shoving them out of their home and place of business was something else.

  Still, Kane wasn’t the one who’d done it, so he had no idea why everyone on the site was mad at him. Unless…

  It was Mae. He’d upset her with what he’d inferred, even though that hadn’t been at all what he’d meant. He’d only meant to ask if she had other plans for her future, but he’d bungled the question and she’d been insulted. He should have gone after her and apologized right away, but he figured she’d get over it once she realized that hadn’t been his intent.

  You’d think after all these years and a few fucked-up relationships that he’d have learned to be clear with his words. Apparently he hadn’t learned a damn thing.

  Clearly, he was still a work in progress, which meant he owed Mae a big apology.

  She wasn’t due on set today so he couldn’t talk to her there. Which meant he’d have to go find her. He made his way toward the house, hoping he could find her there. He passed a couple of vineyard workers, including Johnny Bellini.

  “Why are you here?” Johnny asked.

  “I’m looking for Mae.”

  All he got was a grumble and Johnny turned away, so he made his way to the main house and rang the bell.

  Brenna Bellini answered the door. “What do you want?”

  “I’d like to see Mae.”

  She gave him a look that would make anyone take a step back. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am very serious.”

  “Well, she doesn’t want to see you.”

  “Did she tell you that?”

  “She didn’t have to. And besides, you hurt her, so you’re not welcome here.”

  “Look…I know I did. And I’m sorry. But I have to apologize, and in order for me to do that you have to let me see her.”

  Brenna opened her mouth to retort, then closed it again. “Wait here.”

  She shut the door in his face. He turned around, taking in the grounds from the view of the front porch. There was a nice-looking chair so he took a seat, figuring he might be here for a while.

  No wonder the Bellinis loved this place. From here you could see the vineyards, pond and rolling hills beyond, along with the walkway leading to the barn. The subtle whinny of horses could be heard behind the house, making Kane ache to be on the ranch in Texas.

  He missed home, his grandpa, his horse. The dog, too, though if you asked Lucky, he’d tell you he was Grandpa’s dog now. That was Kane’s fault for being gone so long. He’d been traveling a lot doing back-to-back-to-back films, coupled with promotional work. But at least Lucky had Shadow to keep him company, and a lot more space to run on the ranch than at his place in L.A.

  Sometimes he didn’t love this job. Today was one of those times, because he could sit here on the porch and listen to the sounds of the vineyard and workers and be perfectly content to not move for the rest of the day. Or if he hadn’t pissed off Johnny Bellini, he might have gotten a chance to ride one of the horses. He propped his booted feet up on the porch railing and sighed.

  “Playing a part?”

  He stood when he saw Mae. “No. Just enjoying the amazing view.”

  “It is nice. You can sit.”

  He waited until she took a seat in the chair next to his before he sat again, and then he swiveled to face her, figuring the longer he waited to say something the worse this was going to get, so he might as well start talking. “I’m sorry for what I said. It was insensitive and I didn’t mean to imply that the work you do isn’t important. I had only been curious about your plans for your future. If this is your plan, it’s an awesome one. Who wouldn’t want to be around all this, making people’s dreams come true?”

  She didn’t answer right away. He didn’t expect her to. In fact, he hoped she didn’t toss him off the porch immediately.

  “Most people rarely get to do what makes them happy. If this job puts a smile on your face and brings you joy, then it’s the career for you.”

  Finally, she said, “Thank you. As apologies go, that sounded pretty sincere.”

  “It was. I feel shitty for what I said. For making you feel as if what you do isn’t valid. It was thoughtless of me and I’ll work on thinking before dumbass comments fall out of my mouth.”

  Her lips quirked. “Think you can do that?”

  He shrugged. “No fucking clue. But I’ll give it a try.”

  His phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and read the text message. “I’m due on set.”

  “Okay.” She stood and he did as well. “Thanks for coming by.”

  “I’ll…see you later?”

  “Hmm. I’m around, you know.”

  She smiled, the kind of smile that was hot and made sparks dance in her eyes. He wanted to grab her and kiss her and find a place where they could be alone so he could explore every tempting inch of her.

  But it was daylight and he could hear voices inside the house, and there was someplace he needed to be. So, despite what he wanted to do, he’d go do what he had to do.

  “I’ll see you later, Mae.”

  “Okay. See you.”

  He walked away and it sucked.

  * * *

  ••••••

  Mae went back into her office, gathered her things and checked her phone. Fortunately, she had five minutes before the meeting, so she had time to go into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. She made her way into the dining room and laid her things down on the table.

  It took her a few minutes of organizing her notebook, laptop and pens before she looked up and realized that everyone at the table was staring at her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You know what,” Erin said. “Hot hunk of cowboy on the front porch. Did he apologize?”

  “Profusely and eloquently.”

  “Dammit.” Brenna tossed her notebook on the table. “How are we gonna talk shit about him if he’s out of the doghouse?”

  Mae gaped at her. “I’m…sorry?”

  Honor glared at Brenna, then smiled at Mae. “No, don’t be sorry. It’s good you got things worked out with him.”

  “I think so, too. Otherwise acting as the stand-in would be awkward.”

  “Because that’s all you’re doing with him, right?” Brenna arched a curious brow.

  “Of course it is. I mean, what else would we be doing? I did take him out to eat and show him around town a little, but that’s just me being friendly. Nothing else going on.”

  She could hear herself blabbing incoherently. Oh my God, girl, shut up already.

  “Anyway, things are fine and I can get back to work—both here and on the set. So what’s on the agenda today?”

  She was glad when Erin took control of the meeting so they could talk Bellini Weddings and Red Moss Vineyards business instead of about her and Kane.

  Once they’d gone through the agenda, Mae intended to hide out in her office for the rest of the day.

  “Oh, and before you all leave,” Brenna said, “Finn and I are having a housewarming party tomorrow. You’re all coming. That wasn’t a question.”

  Mae looked over at Erin and Honor, and found they were both looking around as well.

  “I…” Erin paused, then said, “Yes. Jason and I will absolutely be there.”

  “Ditto,” Honor said.

  “What about you, Mae?”

  “Of course. I’ve been dying to see the new house.”

  “Awesome.” Brenna gathered up her things and started to head out, then turned and said, “Oh, and bring Kane August with you. He probably wants to get outside the compound here. He can meet the guys.”

  “Sure, I can…wait. What?”

  But Brenna had already disappeared, as had her sisters.

  Dammit.

  Chapter

  ten

  Kane watched the play of emotions cross Mae’s face as she drove them to Brenna and Finn’s house. One minute she looked calm and relaxed, the next like she might need to pull over and be sick.

  You’d think he would be the nervous one, not her. But clearly something was bothering her.

  “We don’t have to go. What I mean is, I don’t have to go if you don’t want me there.”

  She made a turn onto another street, not bothering to look at him as she said, “I asked you to come with me, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, and it seemed as if it pained you to ask. So this wasn’t your idea, was it?”

  “I…no. Brenna was the one who invited you. She thought you might want to get out.”

  “That was nice of her. I do like people.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be awesome with the family.”

  He laughed.

  “What was that for?”

  This time she shot a glare his way. At least that was something.

  “I think you’re worried that I’ll put on my ‘actor’ persona for the day and do…I don’t know…something to embarrass you.”

  “That isn’t at all what I think.”

  “Then what’s making you so nervous?”

  “Nothing I want to get into while I’m driving.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait.”

  They drove out to where the houses were farther apart, where there were land and trees and a huge two-story brick house with a dark roof. Mae pulled up the long driveway, where several cars were already parked. She turned off the ignition and they got out.

  “I have a housewarming gift in the trunk,” she said, walking around to the back of the car.

  “Wait a minute,” he said. “Let’s talk first.”

  She shook her head. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “You said you couldn’t tell me what’s bothering you while you were driving.” He reached for her hand, took the keys from her and slid them into his pocket. “You’re not driving now, so tell me why you didn’t want to bring me today.”

  She inhaled, then let it out. “You make me nervous. And being with all these people—my people—with you—will make me even more nervous.”

  He took one step closer, brushing an errant hair away from her face. “I make you nervous?”

  “No guy has ever made me nervous. But you. Whenever I’m around you, Kane—”

  He swept his hand along the side of her neck and pressed his lips to hers, sliding his arm around her back to bring her against him. He kept it loose, kept the kiss as easy as it was possible for him to do given how much he wanted her, so she wouldn’t bolt. But when she sagged against him and flicked her tongue against his, he groaned and slid his hand down her back, grasping a handful of her sweet a—

  The cry of a baby made them pull apart. Erin stood there, holding a gift box while a tall guy he assumed was her husband stood there smirking.

  “Oh my God, Mae,” Erin said. “At least do it in the car instead of on the front lawn.” She laughed as they headed inside.

  Mae covered her face with both hands. “This isn’t happening. She’ll tell her sisters, and they’ll tell their guys. Oh, God, and Maureen and Johnny, too. And then everyone will know.”

  “We were just kissing. It’s not a big deal.” He reached for her but she slapped his hand away.

  “Maybe not to you. But I take my job seriously and I’m supposed to be monitoring you.”