actually working on a project with Homes for Everyone this week. If you have some free time, we could use another set of hands. We’re putting up some framing for the walls tomorrow night.” Mauricio was heavily involved in the charity, which helped low-income families who were struggling to buy their own house. Mauricio usually provided tracts of land for the different projects that Homes for Everyone were doing in their part of Texas, and occasionally even joined in on volunteer days when they actually built the homes.
“I’ll be there,” Diego said as he turned his attention to Helena and Malcolm.
The engaged couple were opening presents, and everyone was watching them, but Mauricio couldn’t keep his eyes off Hadley. She wore her thick dark curly hair pulled back in a low bun at the back of her neck. Several strands had escaped and framed her heart-shaped face. She chewed on her lower lip as she glanced down at the notepad in her hand, jotting down the details of each of the presents that her sister opened until she’d worried all of the lipstick from her mouth. Not that she needed to put on makeup to look like a knockout.
His gaze drifted down her body to the V-neck of her dress that gave a glimpse of her cleavage. This was a bad idea. He should have declined when Malcolm had asked him to be a groomsman but theirs was one of Mauricio’s oldest friendships.
He stood up and Diego arched one eyebrow in question. “I need some fresh air.”
He didn’t get far before Malcolm caught up with him. They’d met in the third grade when they’d both been dropped off by their parents on a Saturday morning for the Hill Country Junior Polo League. They’d been close ever since. Malcolm’s father died when they were in high school, and Malcolm had spent more time at the Velasquez house after his mom took on more hours at work to support the family. Now Malcolm was his partner in the real estate business and together they were determined to make sure that the growth of Cole’s Hill wasn’t too fast so as not to damage the community they both loved.
“Hey, Mo, I need you inside for a photo of all the groomsmen,” Malcolm said. “I have a surprise for y’all that I think is pretty cool.”
“I think most of us are just happy to see you in love and marrying the woman of your dreams.”
Malcolm shook his head. “I still can’t believe Helena said yes. I’m not nearly good enough for her, but I’m trying to make sure she’ll never regret her decision.”
“She’s a lucky woman,” Mauricio said, clapping his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“I saw you with Hadley and Jackson earlier.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t weird or anything,” he said.
Malcolm laughed. “One of the cons to living in Cole’s Hill is that it’s hard to avoid past girlfriends.”
“True.”
“Helena already warned me I’d have to keep you in line. No fighting,” Malcolm said. “Not with Hadley or Jackson or heck, even me.”
“I’m not doing that anymore,” he said. “That was just a bad spell.”
“Glad to hear,” Malcolm said. “Behind all their Southern charm, the Everton ladies aren’t happy with you at all.”
He didn’t blame them. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Mal, come on,” Helena said. “Daddy wants to get the pictures taken so he can take off his tie.”
“Coming.”
Mauricio followed the engaged couple into a sitting room. There was a large picture window with a spectacular view of the hills behind the house, which were covered with bluebonnets in full bloom. Crissanne Moss, one of the newer residents of Cole’s Hill, was acting as photographer today. She was engaged to Ethan Caruthers, who was related to Mauricio through marriage.
“I’m going to do a shot of the ladies first, then all of you guys and then a big group photo.”
There was some grumbling especially from the men as they stood with their backs against the wall. The last time they were all together waiting like this was in high school when they’d gotten their yearbook photos taken.
He shook his head at the thought.
“I hate photos,” Malcolm said. “I always look either like a creepy toothpaste ad or like I’m getting ready to be tortured.”
“Just relax,” Mauricio said. “Maybe look at Helena. You don’t look creepy when you smile at her.”
“Glad to hear it,” Malcolm said sardonically.
“No problem, man.”
“Guys, come on over,” Crissanne said.
Mauricio walked past the bridesmaids and Hadley’s floral perfume scent filled the air. He couldn’t help taking a deep breath as he moved into the position that Crissanne directed him to. When she had everyone posed, she explained that they had to do a serious photo and a silly one. Mauricio realized that if he never had to be in another photo again, he’d be happy.
“Now let’s mix it up,” Crissanne said.
There was some jostling around Helena and Malcolm, who were in the center of the group. Crissanne kept moving the men and women to get a good balance of something that only she could see with her photographer’s eye.
Mauricio stood toward the back; being six foot five, he was pretty much always in the back of any group shot. When Crissanne repositioned two of the bridesmaids, it put Hadley right in front of him.
He stood a little taller and held himself back from her.
“Okay, guys, I need you to put your hand on the shoulder of the woman in front of you,” Crissanne said.
He put his hand on Hadley’s shoulder. As soon as he did, a tingle went through him. He noticed goose bumps on her left arm, and she shifted under his touch. Her breath become shallower and a slight flush spread down her neck. He felt a zing of awareness go through him, and he did his best to ignore it until Hadley glanced back over her shoulder at him and their eyes met.
They both might have decided to move on, that they weren’t ever getting back together, but there was an undeniable sexual energy between them now; it hadn’t been extinguished. He knew better than to think that this would lead to anything more than the most exquisite sort of torture, but he couldn’t help rubbing his finger over the small bit of flesh exposed by the thick strap of her dress. Her skin was softer than he remembered, and she shivered delicately under his touch.
Crissanne brought their attention back to her and snapped the photos. “Okay, you’re all free to go.”
Hadley bolted from under his touch and all he could do was watch her go.
One touch and she was back where she’d been all those months ago. She glanced around the busy party. Jackson caught her eye and nodded toward the door leading to the parking lot. She made her way through the crowd, careful to avoid all the women who had well-intentioned advice for her,
