“I’m only saying it’s unusual,” Mrs. Bear could be heard. Goldie yanked her attention away from Adrian long enough to see she was in a stunning black gown with a full, ruffled skirt. “Where did you say you met her?”
Adrian began to answer when the teenage version of himself, Jordan, smacked his shoulder, drawing his attention. Together, the two of them stared at up her.
Goldie squirmed inside. She’d made herself the center of attention—or rather, the stairs had. The three Bears were watching her descend, and she suddenly wished they’d look somewhere else. Anywhere else. She could hardly move in the shoes Kimmy had lent her. She supposed she could kick them off to make her way down easier. This was taking far too long.
Adrian’s brows lifted in appreciation. He took a step toward her as she reached the bottom step. “You look amazing,” he said.
His brother’s forehead crinkled. “Isn’t that Kimmy’s dress?”
Adrian shook Jordan’s shoulder. “Perceptive, aren’t we?”
“I’m just borrowing it,” Goldie said, attempting to brush away their attention.
“Are you a spy?”
Goldie nearly stumbled.
“Seriously?” Adrian sounded like he wanted to smack his brother. Mrs. Bear only watched with curiosity.
“What?” Jordan said, lifting his hands. “This is the kind of thing spies do. Show up unannounced, looking smoking hot in a borrowed dress.”
Mrs. Bear coughed as though she was choking on a drink.
“Yes,” Goldie said, her cheeks scorching. Smoking hot was going a bit overboard, especially from a sixteen-year-old. She did her best to deflect the praise. “I’m a spy out to steal all your family’s secrets.” She added a laugh. “What do you think?”
Adrian’s smile widened, rendering him more handsome than ever. What was it about a man in a fine-fitted suit? The combination of suits, smiles, and hair gel should be illegal.
Mrs. Bear glowered. “That’s going a bit over the top, isn’t it?”
Goldie wasn’t sure if Adrian’s mom was referring to her comment or her son’s.
“I like her,” Jordan said, twirling a set of keys around his fingers. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to pick up Taylor.”
“I expect to see you for the entire length of the fundraiser,” Mrs. Bear called, rotating to follow his trajectory to the door.
“Got it, Mom,” Jordan called without glancing back. He pushed through the front door and trotted down the steps outside.
Goldie’s cheeks hadn’t quite doused, thanks to the bullseye he’d landed on her. Smoking hot? Really?
Jordan’s headlights disappeared when another set of headlights took their place. Seconds later, Chase took the porch steps two at a time and popped his head in. He was also looking gallant in a tux.
“Ready, Mom? Hiya, Goldie. The dress looks great.”
Goldie smiled and waved at him. Another surge of unease swept over her. She wasn’t used to this much attention. “Tell Kimmy I said thanks.”
“You can tell her yourself when we get there.” Chase held the door wider for Mrs. Bear and offered his mother his arm to guide her down the porch steps and toward the car.
“Shall we?” Adrian held a hand toward the reception desk and the door. Pressing her lips in a flat smile, Goldie lifted her skirt and followed them out.
The sky was a wine spill, mixed with shades of amber and gold. Goldie took a moment to inhale the scents of honeysuckle and sage and the spread of simplicity all around her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to it here, even if she were to stay for the rest of her life.
The setting sun cooled the evening off. Even so, she was grateful she’d opted for an updo of her hair.
“See you guys there,” Adrian called from beside his sleek Hummer.
“I expect the same of you, too, you know,” Mrs. Bear said. The back door of Chase’s car remained open, and she was resting a hand on the side and pegging a poignant glance at Adrian. “I know how you like to leave early, but I’d like you to remain the entire time.”
Adrian nodded, opening the passenger door to his car. Goldie did her best to make her way to him in heels. She’d never worn heels like this. Oh please, she prayed, don’t let me trip and ruin the dress before the evening has even begun. Why had she picked a gown that was likely to show every stain or smudge she came across? She ended up managing just fine and, with the help of the interior handle, levered herself up onto the sleek, dark, leather seat. The car smelled brand new. He must not have had it for long.
“I thought we were riding with them?” Goldie asked as Adrian climbed into the driver’s seat and cranked the ignition to life. The smooth machine purred.
“After thinking it over, I figured it might be a little crowded,” he said. “Unless you want to.” He tilted his head to the side, but the other Bears were already making their way down the drive.
“I’m good,” she said quickly, offering him a smile.
She wasn’t sure what she expected as far as the venue went. Two Pines was small and unimpressive, the kind of town least likely to stand out on any map. The largest building was maybe the court house, but even then that was no place to hold an event like what she was picturing.
“Where is this going to be held at?” she asked.
“At the high school gym,” he said, turning the corner and onto the paved road that led back into town. “It’s the largest place around here to fit everyone into one location.” He shot her a smirk that she returned.
Goldie couldn’t help but notice landmarks—her tried and true method of navigation. A pawn shop with paint peeling on the exterior. A landscape company in the shape of a large barn, offering samples of rock and mulch in piles behind rope. The same
