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He reached over the console and threaded his fingers through mine. “Hell yes, I want you there, but I don’t want to coerce you into anything.”

I laughed. “Three shots in three hours aren’t likely to get me drunk.”

“You don’t sound tipsy.” He gave me a considering look.

I untangled our fingers and crossed my arms over my chest. “I might not drink tequila, but I have two overbearing older brothers. They thought it was mandatory that I knew how to hold my liquor. And, since I was born and bred in Tennessee, I’m a Jack girl.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Are you shitting me?”

“For real. You need to meet Seth and Randy to understand.”

“I don’t think I’m at the point where I want to meet your two older, overprotective brothers.”

I tilted my head and gave him a considering look. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-two. You’re twenty-four, right?”

“I’m going to be twenty-five next month,” I countered.

“Fuck me. You know someone is young when they try to age themselves up.”

“Whatever you say, Grandpa. So, are we going to your house or not?”

Graham turned back to the front and started his truck. “We’re definitely going to my place.”

I grinned and did my darndest not to wiggle my tushie in excitement.

Graham’s house was cool and dimly lit as we stepped inside. He locked the door behind us and ushered me into the living room, turning on the overhead light as we went. Then he headed to the kitchen.

“Water?” he asked.

“God, yes. I’m parched.”

“I imagine. I was blown away by your singing. Is that something you ever thought of doing professionally?”

I giggled. I couldn’t help myself. “I wasn’t even the best singer in my church choir. There is no way I could make it as a professional.” He handed me a bottle of water with the top off, and I took a long pull.

“I don’t believe it. I bet you were the solo act every Sunday.”

“Nope, that honor belongs to my cousin, Emmie. She’s the one who should go to Nashville. My family tells her that all the time.”

Graham took a deep swallow of water, then held out his hand. “Do you want to go out on the deck?”

I nodded.

He opened the sliding glass door, and we stepped out. Besides the table where we had eaten before, he had a couch and two chairs that I assumed were weatherproof. He motioned for me to sit on the couch, then sat down beside me.

Perfect.

As soon as he put his arm around me, I snuggled closer. We didn’t say anything, we just sat there, listening to one another breathe and the sound of the crickets.

“You’re soothing.”

I looked up at him and raised my eyebrow.

“You don’t have to fill every silence with talk.”

I shrugged. “Well, neither do you.”