“Rene’s family has been here since long before this was US land.” He snagged a couple of glasses from one of the vendors and poured two cups. “You want one of these? Wine will make this evening much easier to get through.”

She never turned down wine.

“Sure.” Lisa took Red Solo Cup #1.

Remy took one, too. “Thanks for walking around with me. It would be awkward to be here alone.”

Yes, it would, and they were stuck here for weeks probably. Maybe even months. “I think we should try for friendship. I understand why you did what you did.”

“And I’m glad for that, but Lisa, I don’t want to be your friend. I want to be your man. I want to walk you through this fair and have everyone know that you’re mine.”

She couldn’t go that far. Not ever again. Not with him. “I’m trying.”

He stopped for a moment, seeming to think. “And I’m pushing when I should be patient. You need to understand that I won’t lie to you again. I’m in love with you and I’ll do anything to make sure you don’t ever leave this town again.”

“That sounds really stalkery.”

A brilliant smile crossed his face. “There’s my girl. Let me be more romantic. I want this to be your home, here with me. But I understand you need time, so here’s to friendship. You can always, always count on mine, Lisa Daley.”

He held up his cup.

Could she ask for more? She wanted some peace between them, but this was a slippery slope. He was too beautiful, and she knew exactly what that man could do to her body. She would be smarter to retreat. And yet her hand came up, touching her cup to his. “You have mine, Guidry.”

“Then let’s have some fun, chèrie.”

Red Solo Cup # 2

“Hi, I’m Seraphina and this is my mom, Delphine. It’s nice to meet you. I’m surprised, though, since big brother never even mentioned you until he said you were coming home with him. I guess that’s a lot like Remy, when I think about it. He plays everything close to the vest. Probably because we teased him mercilessly as we grew up. I was a horrible little sister.” Seraphina was a lovely blonde in her mid-twenties.

Remy had walked Lisa around the town square. She’d learned she loved po’ boys and gumbo. She’d foregone the corn dog in favor of a meat pie that had been the single greatest thing she’d ever put in her mouth. And yes, she’d said that and Remy’d had a witty double entendre that made her blush. She’d moved on to crab pistolettes and boudin balls and finished up with beignets before they’d found Remy’s family sitting around a table on the far side of the square.