“Of course I tried! Hell, even Jeanine and Dane tried to get in on it, but no close friends or relatives are allowed.”

“This town.” I shook my head in mock disbelief because I secretly loved it. The fact that there was a bet about me and James meant that they were rooting for us, and I liked knowing that everyone had been on our side all along.

FEED YOUR GIRL

James

Julia’s stomach growled, and she tried to cover it with her hand, as if that would somehow stop the sound from echoing in the all but hollow barn.

“Time for breakfast?” I asked.

“Obviously. Don’t you know you need to feed your girl?” She stomped one foot on the ground.

“I do now.”

I still couldn’t get over Julia’s face when she had seen my paintings. I had always loved them but had no idea if they were really something marketable or even remotely good. Dane’s opinion never counted. Neither did my mom’s because, well, they were both biased. Not that Julia wasn’t, but I would have been able to tell if she was lying just by looking in her eyes. They gave everything away. Those hazel irises were going to be my biggest ally for the rest of my life.

We headed into town, and my fucking heart raced at the thought of walking through the streets with her on my arm. And it had nothing to do with our family history and everything to do with me finally getting the girl I’d wanted my whole damn life.

“What are you thinking about?” Julia asked from beside me, her hand resting firmly on my thigh.

I glanced over at her before focusing back on the road. “Just how lucky I am. And how incredible it feels, knowing that I can be seen with you in public, and it won’t start World War Three at home.”

She blew out a breath. “Tell me about it. It’s like we have a whole new life.”

Reaching for her hand, I moved it to my lips and pressed a kiss there before putting it back on my lap. Navigating the busy streets, I found a parking spot right up front and chalked it up to the fact that as of last night, my luck had changed. Yes, I considered a primo parking spot good luck.

“Don’t get out,” I instructed my impatient girl as I exited the car and made my way to her door. Opening it for her, I reached for her hand and helped her out.

“Who knew you were such a gentleman?” She blushed as she straightened out her top.

“I’m not,” I said before kissing her cheek. I couldn’t keep my damn lips off this woman. “I’m only one for you.”

“I don’t hate that.” She grinned and ran her fingers down my beard.

“Hey, Romeo and Juliet,” Jeanine shouted.