Page 158 of Until Joy

“Damn, doll. You look incredible in that dress.”

Heat crept up my neck and into my cheeks. It was the fourth time he’d complimented me since he’d seen me in my outfit, but the look in his eyes still made me blush. I smoothed the soft fabric of my tight sweater dress where it hugged my curves. The burgundy color brought out the blue in my eyes, according to Kayan and July when they’d helped me shop for it last week. The over-the-knee boots Graham had bought me made my legs look miles long.

“You don’t think I'm overdressed for a party at the compound?”

I'd never been to a real Broken Eagles party before. Most of my visits to the clubhouse had been casual, dropping off baked goods or picking Graham up after work. Tonight felt different. Important somehow, though Graham wouldn't tell me why.

“Sweetheart, you're going to be the belle of the ball.”

His rough voice made my stomach flutter. After all our time together, he could still make me feel like a teenager with her first crush.

Graham leaned across the center console and cupped my face in his big hands. His thumbs traced across my cheekbones as he studied my face like he was memorizing it.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked.

“How lucky I got.”

“I'm the lucky one.”

He kissed me then, soft and sweet at first, then deeper when I opened for him. His tongue traced the seam of my lips before sliding inside to tangle with mine. I melted into him, my hands fisting in his black button-down shirt.

When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

“If you keep kissing me like that, we're never going to make it inside.”

Graham chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Trust me, we need to get in there. This party won't wait.”

He climbed out of the truck and jogged around to open my door. His hands spanned my waist as he lifted me down from the high seat, letting my body slide against his until my boots touched the gravel.

“Ready?”

I nodded, though nervous butterflies danced in my stomach. Something was up. Graham had been acting strange all week, secretive phone calls and mysterious errands. Even Miss Laverne had given me a knowing look when I’d gone to her house to help with her roses.

We walked hand in hand toward the main building of the compound. The familiar warehouse structure looked different tonight. Warm light spilled from every window, and I could hear laughter and music from inside. More cars and motorcycles than usual filled the parking area.

Graham opened the heavy steel door and gestured for me to go first. I stepped inside and stopped so abruptly that Graham bumped into my back.

The warehouse had been transformed. White lights were strung along the exposed beams, casting everything in a warm glow. The cement floors had been swept spotless, and someone had set up round tables covered in white linens. But none of that was what made my breath catch.

It was the people.

July stood near the bar with Wes, both of them grinning at me like they knew a secret. Kayan and Z occupied their usual table, but Kayan was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. Miss Laverne sat at a table with Harmony and Harlan, all three beaming in my direction. Jax and Ellie waved from across the room where they stood with June and Evan.

But then I saw faces that shouldn't be here. Faces that belonged three hours away in Jasper Creek.

Seth stood near the pool table, his arm wrapped around a gorgeous redhead. When he spotted me, his familiar grin spread across his face.

Randy leaned against the bar, looking uncomfortable in his dress shirt but smiling nonetheless.

My parents sat at a table near the makeshift dance floor, Mom wiping tears from her eyes while Dad and Graham's dad sat together, the two men deep in conversation like old friends.

But it was the figure sitting on the other side of Mom that broke me completely. Little Grandma sat dressed in her best Sunday outfit with her silver hair perfectly styled. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she raised one gnarled hand in a small wave. And beside her, my cousin Emmie sat with her blonde hair in soft curls and a smile that lit up her whole face.

My knees went weak. I pressed my face against Graham's chest, breathing in his familiar scent while I tried to process what I was seeing.

“How?” I looked up at him with tears already spilling down my cheeks. “Why? When?”

Graham's hands trembled as he cupped my face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. The confident, unshakeable Navy SEAL looked nervous for the first time since I'd known him.