Rural Romance by Alexa Riley

Chapter Three

Selma

“You okay?” Juno asks as we make our way back inside.

“I’m fine.”

“Fine, you say?” She fights a teasing smile. “That blush says otherwise.”

I put my hands on my warm cheeks, trying to get it to go away. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Don’t worry about it.” Juno rolls her eyes. “Luca is smooth. He could get a statue to blush if he wanted to. He could probably talk anyone into just about anything.”

I have to force a laugh, not really liking the sound of that. It might be terrible of me to think, but when someone is a smooth talker, I always think they’re up to no good

“He was introducing himself. We hadn't gotten to formally meet.”

“Damn, I suppose you haven't. The man can’t sit still to save his life.”

“He seems driven.” I might have done a small Google search on him with my phone.

He’s come a long way in a short amount of time, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed. That kind of determination reminds me a lot of my brother. I hope he doesn't let that drive suck the life out of him and he forgets some things are more important than money. I’m thankful Lux came along and reminded Bastian of that.

“That he is,” Juno agrees.

Bastian is standing on the edge of the dance floor waiting for me. “Can I have this dance?”

He holds his hand out for me, and I take it, and we walk hand in hand onto the dance floor. He spins me around a few times before doing a dramatic dip that has me laughing right before he pulls me back up.

“I wish Mom were here,” I blurt out. “She’d be so damn proud of you.” Bastian’s done everything he set out to do and so much more, she would truly be bursting with pride at this very moment.

“It’s because of Mom we’re here.”

I nod and smile as I try and hold back the tears. “Are you going to make me an aunt soon? I need to be prepared. I think Juno is going to try and give me a run for my money on being the favorite aunt.”

“I wouldn't worry about it. Selma, you always get whatever you’re working toward.”

“I got that from you.”

Bastian has been there for me in a big way, and I wish I could have done the same for him. I was young and lost in my grief after our mom died. He had to shoulder it alone and take care of me, and looking back, I didn’t always make it easy.

He spins me again, and this time he releases my hand as Luca wraps his arm around my waist. Before I know what’s happening, I’m in Luca’s arms, and he’s taking over the dance.

“You again,” I say, and it comes out like an accusation as I rest my hand on his chest. Are all the men in Pink Spring built like lumberjacks?

“I can be a hard one to get away from, and I get the feeling you keep trying to run.”

“Why would I do that?” I ask, not answering him.

Of course I was trying to get away from him. When Juno called for me, I seized the moment before something happened between Luca and me. I think we’d been flirting, but that might just be the way he is. Either way, it was safer to get some space between us.

“A question with a question is not an answer.” He pulls me closer to him so there is no space between us. I try to keep my face unreadable, because right now I can feel every inch of him pressing against me. He’s turned on, and I have no idea what to do with that.

Luca is easily the hottest man in the room. I’ve seen women here fawning over him and giggling like teenagers when he’s close. He could have his pick of them, but here he is with me. I’m the one with frizzy hair that’s more awkward than not, and I’m not exactly friendly either.

“You and your brother are close,” he says, not asking but making a statement.

“Yes, but I’m sure you and your siblings get it, though, since you lost your parents too.”

“We did, but we’ve always been close. I think you and you brother have been the same.”

“We have.”

The truth is Bastian was my security blanket, but not anymore now that he’s got Lux. How the heck is Luca seeing all that in the short time I’ve been in his presence? He’s really good at reading the room, and normally I would think that was kind of badass. Not now when he’s trying to get a read on me.

Luca looks at my lips, and my body becomes hyper aware of him. A longing I don’t want forces its way to the surface. This is a terrible idea. Luca and I are bound to each other for the rest of our lives because of our siblings. There will be no divorce for my brother because he meant his vows with everything he has.

Still, I don’t push Luca away or try to break from his hold. Instead I let him move against me and freeze when he leans down to claim my mouth.

“Can I get all the single ladies to the front of the dance floor!” the DJ cheers, and I’m startled back to reality. I try to lean away from Luca, but he’s got a firm hold on me.

“Are you single?” His hold tightens, but his expression is teasing and lighthearted, which confuses the crap out of me.

“I wish I could say I wasn’t, but no way will Juno and Lux let me get out of this one.” I try to pull back again, but his hold won’t relax. “Luca?”

“Our dance wasn't done,” he says as he releases me.

“I think we danced through three songs,” I point out before heading toward the front of the dance floor where all the ladies are swarming.

I stay as far back as I can as Bastian helps Lux get up onto a chair and the song “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé starts to play. All the women start to cheer and jump around, and I steal a peek behind me and see Luca is not far away. I jerk my head back around so I don’t get caught staring, but it’s too late because he already saw me.

Everyone starts to count down as Lux turns to face away from us and holds out her bouquet.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

The bouquet flies high into the air and goes over all of our heads. When I turn around I have to smother a laugh when I see Luca holding it in his arms. I put my hand over my mouth, but my shoulders still shake as he walks over to where I’m standing.

“You think that’s funny?” he asks.

“Maybe.” He tosses it at me, and out of instinct I catch it. All the girls start to hoot and holler behind me. “That was mean,” I hiss, narrowing my eyes at him.

“I thought girls loved catching the bouquet at a wedding.”

“Do men enjoy catching the garter from the groom? I think not.”

“I don’t think we’ll be finding that out.” Luca shakes his head.

I suppose not. There’s no way my brother is going to reach up Lux’s dress in front of everyone and then throw a piece of fabric that she’s been wearing all day to a group of men.

“I need to check on the bride,” I tell Luca before I slip away again. It’s not a lie, but it is super convenient.

Bastian is leaning up against the door in the hallway when I spot him. “You couldn't even wait in the ballroom? You are hopeless.”

“That I am.” He knocks on the door of the bridal suite before he opens it to let me in.

“Look at you with the bouquet.” Juno wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I drop it down onto a chair.

“Your brother-in-law is mean. He tossed that thing right at me.”

“Every heart in Pink Springs shattered in that moment.” Juno pretends to do a dramatic faint.

“I wish Luca would find a girl and slow down. I don’t think he realizes how much he’s missing.” Lux turns around so we can help her out of her dress. “Like today, of course he made it on time and he always follows through, but we’ll only get him for this small time slot. I bet he’ll be gone before sunrise.”

Lux steps out of her dress, and Juno hands her the simple flowy white one to put on. We get everything put away, and soon Lux is all set for her and Bastian to do their final walk. The party is far from over from the looks of it, but they are ready to be alone, and who could blame them?

I watch my brother head down the walkway outside as fireworks start to light up the sky. He opens the limo door for Lux, and she and Bastian slide inside and wave goodbye as the car drives away. I stand there for a long moment, wondering what now as I feel him come up beside me.

“You okay?” Luca comes to stand beside me with his hands in his pockets, and I realize everyone has gone back inside and I’m standing out here all alone.

“Yeah.”

“That was a halfhearted yeah if I ever heard one.” It is, but I sure as hell don’t want to talk about it.

“Should we get a drink?” I say, changing the subject.

“I’d love nothing more than to get to know my new sister-in-law.” He holds out his elbow, and I take it so he can lead us back inside.

I don’t miss the people of Pink Springs watching Luca and me as we head toward one of the many bars.

“People are staring at us.” I try not to fidget as I whisper.

“Nope, they’re definitely staring at you,” he responds.

“Me? Why the heck would they be staring at me?”

“Because I’ve got a girl on my arm that isn't Juno or Lux.” He shrugs as we slide up to the bar. “The lady will have…” Luca looks to me to answer, but the bartender cuts in.

“An old-fashioned. I knew you’d be back for more, sweetheart.” He winks at me. “For you, sir?” Luca glares at the bartender. “I’ll do the same as my lady,” he responds.

The bartender scurries off to get our drinks, and I laugh. Then I realize I’ve been doing that a lot tonight when I’m with Luca. Maybe it’s the whole wedding vibe that’s making me happy.

“I thought you grew up here?” I ask, wanting to know why everyone in Pink Springs is so curious about us.

“I did.” He brushes away one of my curls that has escaped my updo. His fingers brush my cheek in the process, and my stomach tightens.

“But you said they aren’t used to seeing you with anyone.”

“They aren’t. This is a small town and I don’t shit where I eat,” he teases. He’s right, though, because the fallout could get ugly, and people like to take sides.

That hits home more than I think he realizes, because we could do the very same to our brand-new family.