Rex held open the door. “Ladies first,” he said with a tiny smirk lifting on the corner of his sexy mouth.

Nerves tumbled through my body, and my teeth caught on my bottom lip. “Thank you,” I murmured, ducking my head and stepping inside the packed bar.

A warm dimness held fast to the trendy space, the dull roar of voices an easy drone in the air. Edison bulbs hung from the ceilings and flickered against the red brick walls like flames.

People were everywhere, vying to get a stool at the bar or snag one of the high-top tables situated throughout, totally lost in their own worlds as they cast their troubles aside and stepped into the carelessness of the weekend.

That didn’t change the fact I felt as if I were in a spotlight.

I didn’t know if it were the fact I stood beside who had to be the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. Or maybe it was because I was still reeling from running into Aaron outside Pepper’s Pies four days ago.

When Rex had asked me to come to this party, my first instinct had been to tell him no.

Both because just looking at the man had me fearing for my heart and because the impact of him merely standing at my door leapt to my throat and spread beneath my skin like a slow burn.

The other had been nothing but straight fear.

Pure, petrified fear.

But I refused to allow history to chase me away. Not from the place I loved. Not from where I belonged. Not ever again.

So, I’d stepped out of my comfort zone and said yes. This man was worth the risk I knew I was taking.

He lifted his chin, and I followed his line of sight to the bar. Ollie was behind it, giving him the same gesture of welcome. Turning that potent attention on me, Rex angled his head to the side. “This way.”

He ushered me ahead of him and toward the stairs. A sign was set up beside it stating the second level was closed for a private party.

Warily, I glanced over at him. “I thought you said this was a small party.”

He released a low chuckle. “Broderick Wolfe doesn’t exactly do anything small. Big seems to be his middle name.”

My brow arched with the tease. “Ah, I see how it is. You actually invited me along to protect you.”

His gaze flicked down my body.

Hot.

Needy.

Those magnetic eyes skated across my bare shoulders and dipped to the valley between my breasts. I released a shaky breath as his gaze drifted over the soft peach dress I wore. The thin straps were satin and crisscrossed over the open back, and the front of the fitted bodice dipped into a shallow V. The skirt was flowy and soft and landed just above my knees.

Those eyes slowly trailed up to meet mine. “I think it’s safe to say there won’t be a soul looking at me. Not with you looking like that.”

A shiver raced down my spine.

Friends. Friends. Friends.

I chanted his defense in my head, as if I might hold the power to claim it and make it real when standing next to Rex Gunner felt nothing like being friends.

It felt like sex and need and desperate hearts.

It felt like hope and healing.

There was no question we’d both been hurt. Beaten down and broken in life’s own cruel ways.

I wanted to reach out and discover his wounds. Maybe let him discover mine.

“You aren’t looking so bad yourself,” I managed, choking over the words like a fool. Uttering them aloud seemed foolish. Not when he was dressed in fitted jeans and a light pink button-up, the sleeves rolled up his forearms. High enough to reveal a few of the colorful feathers inked on the top of his forearm.

I’d nearly stumbled over myself when I’d opened my door to find him that way. So ridiculously sexy, his scruff trimmed, his hair that perfectly imperfect mess.

The tension on the ride over in his truck had nearly been more than I could bear. I’d been hyper-aware of every movement, from the flex of his lean muscles as he’d shifted into gear to the clench of that chiseled, stoic jaw. He’d seemed to have to hold himself rigid in restraint, barely offering a word because one more stimulus might have been the one to tip us over the edge. The detonator to a bomb. The one to shatter our shaky, flimsy ground.

He seemed to war with what to say before he shook his head and pasted on a thin grin. “Come on, let’s get up there before Brody thinks I bailed on him.”

I started up the steps. Rex placed his hand at the small of my back. I bit back a gasp. It was almost impossible. Not with the way electricity raced through me like a shot of adrenaline.

He groaned the smallest sound. But I felt it, the rumble he emitted. I wasn’t alone in this.

We managed to make the climb to the top, and I was sucking in another breath when we stepped out onto the second floor. It was magnificent.

Just . . . jaw-dropping beauty.

The interior matched downstairs, the walls red brick and warm with age. Rows of pool tables lined the far back of the massive room and another elegant bar ran the adjoining wall. Linens, floral arrangements, and formal place settings adorned the tables set up in the middle of the room, all of it obviously brought in exclusively for tonight’s party.

What really captured my attention was what faced out front. An accordion wall of glass and rustic wood had been completely opened to the balcony. Planters filled with trees were strategically placed around the area, and strands of Edison bulbs that matched downstairs were strung up between them, covering the outdoor space like a sparkly, glittering ceiling.

It was hard to tell where one space ended and the other began.

But it was the view of the river winding through the city I loved that sent a tumble of nostalgia battering my senses.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I jerked with the rough voice beside me.

I shook myself out of the stupor and offered Rex a small smile. “I almost forgot how beautiful Gingham Lakes is.”

A frown pulled at his brows, and he searched my face. “Is that what you wanted? To forget?”

My laughter was tremulous. “It’s easier that way, isn’t it? Forgetting? Forgetting means things don’t hurt so bad.”

Pain gusted through his striking features. “And sometimes pain is better than forgetting.”

My stomach twisted, and I fumbled for something to say, wanting to reach in and discover exactly what it was he was clinging to. He stopped me by speaking first with an easy diversion. “I’m going to head to the bar. What can I get you to drink?”

“Chardonnay would be nice.”

He dipped his head before he headed that direction, winding through the small groups of people who were gathered around. Their conversations were quiet, and the band playing on a small elevated stage in the corner were hardly more than an accent to the vibe.

“Oh my God!”

I spun on my heel at the screech that came from behind me. Nikki was coming right for me, dressed in a flaming red dress, eyes wide with excitement. She hugged me as if she hadn’t seen me in years. “Oh my God,” she said again, holding me by the outside of my upper arms. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes looked me up and down. “And holy shit, you look fabulous. Are you trying to make us all look bad?”

I felt the heat rush to my face. “Thank you.”

Compliments from friends used to be difficult for me to take. Macy had thought it her God-given duty to wipe that idea from my existence, and she’d done a good job of it. She’d nearly scraped all the old insecurities away, and I refused to let them settle back into my skin.

I took her by both hands, squeezing as I smiled. “And are you serious right now? You look like a freaking goddess.”

She hiked a shoulder. “What can I say? If given the opportunity to dress up for my Ollie, I’d be a fool not to take it.”

I chuckled. God, I really loved her. “Well, he’d be a fool not to notice.”

It was almost hurt that flashed in her eyes, but she shook it off. “So, what are you doing here? Did Lillith invite you?”

Again, she was looking around. It was right when Rex broke the crowd, the man so ridiculously gorgeous my breaths turned shallow and my heart took off at a sprint as he strode our way. All lean strength and powerful presence.

“Oh wow.” Nikki whipped her attention back to me, mouth dropping open in disbelief.

“It’s nothing,” I whispered. “We’re just friends.”

“Really?” Her voice was a wry, scandalous accusation.

“Really,” I promised, even though it somehow felt like a lie.

“Nikki,” Rex said a little hard with a slight dip of his head.

“Rex,” she returned, laughter in her voice.

He handed me the glass of wine. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

I took a sip when I caught sight of Lillith moving our direction. Her hand was wrapped up in the man I knew to be her fiancé.

Broderick Wolfe.

He was tall and wide and impeccably dressed in a suit that had clearly been tailored to perfectly fit his muscular body.

“Rynna. You’re here. I love it. All my favorite people in one room.” Lillith walked up to me and hugged me before she stepped back and angled her head. “Rex, how are you? It’s so nice to see you.”

There was a bit of worry in her voice when she asked it. As if she might be protective of me.

“Good,” he said in that rough voice. He turned and shook Broderick’s hand. “Thanks for the invitation. The place looks great.”

Broderick shook his head. “I’m glad you’re here. None of this could happen without RG Construction. You’re company is the backbone of the operation.”

Wow.

That was some kind of praise.

I glanced at Rex. His expression was rimmed with satisfaction as he returned Broderick’s handshake. “My men are incredibly skilled. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Broderick laughed, this loud, boisterous laugh as he set a hand on Rex’s shoulder. “Always so humble.” Broderick looked around the group. “This man right here is the driving force behind an incredible team. He literally has saved my ass at least a thousand times during this project.”

He returned his attention to Rex. “You didn’t earn your reputation for nothing. I sought you out because you are the best. In three short years, you brought RG Construction back from what could have been its demise. That is no easy feat.”

Rex flinched.

It was subtle.

But I saw it. Felt it.

His voice was hoarser when he spoke. “If we’re looking for someone to give credit to, let’s give it to my mother. She was the one who taught me there is nothing hard work won’t achieve.”

God, this man was an enigma. Hard and soft. Modest and proud. Layers and threads and dimensions of mystery.

Broderick just shook his head as if he couldn’t believe Rex, either, before he turned a charismatic smile on me. “And who do we have here?” He reached for me, taking my hand between both of his.

Lillith had her hand tucked under his arm, her smile so free. “This is my friend Rynna I was telling you about. She’s the one who inherited Pepper’s Pies across the street from the new hotel.”

Broderick’s face lit. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I was hoping you would choose to reopen rather than sell. Pepper’s Pies has an important history in Gingham Lakes, and I know it’ll remain the same in the future. If there’s anything you need to help with the process, please, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Even though his words could have been used in a boardroom to sell his next biggest idea, there was a distinct tone of sincerity woven into them.

“It’s nice to meet you, as well. And I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you for the offer.”

Broderick looked around the room. “I’m a firm believer Gingham Lakes’s revitalization belongs to all of us. We’re all responsible for coming together to make it a better place for all residents.”

Lillith pushed her cheek into his arm, as if she were overcome by her love for him, and he pressed the softest kiss to the top of her head.

My heart throbbed, and I couldn’t help but glance at Rex, drawn to this man who stood stoically at my side.

Broderick gestured to the room. “Dinner should be served in a few minutes. Why don’t we all find a place to sit so we can enjoy ourselves?”

As he led us over to a large round table where we all took seats together, Broderick worked the room, welcoming the rest of his guests and inviting them to take a seat. Dinner was served, and we ate and drank and laughed. Lillith and Nikki made it easy to fit in, and it even seemed as if Rex might. Even though there was some part of him that remained reserved.

Afterward, Broderick stood and asked if he could have a word with Rex.

“Excuse me for a minute?” he asked.

“Of course,” I told him.

Lillith was in deep conversation with a couple at the next table, and Nikki made an excuse to head downstairs, undoubtedly to find Ollie.

I went to the bar and ordered another glass of wine then wandered out onto the balcony, drawn to the view.

It was quiet, the air still warm, though it’d cooled with the night, and a slight breeze added to the peace in the air. A blanket of stars opened up the vast canopy that stretched on forever above, and I inhaled the scents of the city, the honeysuckle and the river and old buildings.

Home.

I got lost in it, in the soft music that fell on my ears and the peace that radiated back from the city I’d tried to forget I loved.

I jumped when the breath landed on my bare shoulder. “I’m sorry I ditched you.”

A small smile tugged at my mouth, and I glanced over my shoulder at the gorgeous man standing right behind me. “I understand. It’s a work party.”

“I’d rather be hanging out with you.”

Butterflies.

Was that normal? It didn’t matter. They were there, fluttering at my insides, whipping and stirring and inciting. I slowly turned to face him. “I’d rather be hanging out with you, too.”

A soft gust of wind blew through, soft lashes at the longer pieces of his hair, those hypnotizing eyes filled with so much turmoil and questions. He reached up and touched my cheek. “Rynna.”

Chills skated my spine.

The band had shifted songs, and strains of an acoustic guitar filled the air. The scruffy voice of the same singer who’d played the last time I was there rode on the breeze. He was singing “Collide” by Howie Day. The lyrics grazed across my skin, eliciting a rash of goose bumps, the same as the callused fingertips that trailed down my arm.

The words spun around us, and slowly, Rex edged forward. His arm slid around my waist and pulled me against him.

His palm went to the small of my back, his thumb just brushing against the bare skin exposed by my dress, the other hand landing on my neck.

My entire world shook.

Slowly, we began to rock in the slowest kind of dance. Both mesmerized by the song and the feel and the overwhelming vibe, his heart thrumming in sync with mine. We were caught up in it, as if time had stopped, the two of us giving ourselves over to the moments that passed. I would have been content for it to go on forever.

He drew me closer, his nose running along the back of my ear. “You are so beautiful, Rynna,” he murmured. “So beautiful it fucking hurts to look at you.”

“Rex,” I whispered, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt.

He suddenly stepped back, leaving me gasping as he roughed a frustrated hand over his face. “Think we should get out of here.”

Slowly, I nodded and followed him back inside.