Page 1 of Perfect Enough

Prologue

JOSH

Nineteen years old

My eyes scanned the large room as I searched for Nathan. If I knew him, he was off somewhere doing who knows what with who knows whom. The fact that we were in France for our cousin Beck’s wedding to our cousin Avery—who isn’t blood-related—didn’t deter Nathan from flirting with as many women as he could, regardless of whether they spoke English or French.

I sighed as I saw yet another one of Avery’s colleagues from her days of living and modeling in France, making her way toward me.

“There is no escaping that one,” a soft voice said from my right. I turned to see Juliette, Avery’s best friend from her time here, sitting beside me. Her English was excellent, even with her heavy French accent.

With a smile, I winked. “Trust me, I’ve had plenty of practice.”

She laughed. “You seem very much like Nathan, but more talk and no action. Nathan loves the women, no?”

It was my turn to laugh. “He does. And don’t get me wrong, I love women as well. I just don’t make a habit of…you know.”

A single brow rose. “Sleeping with them?”

Pointing to her, I nodded to indicate she got it in one. Since it was legal for me to drink here, I picked up my drink and finished it off.

Juliette leaned in. “She’s almost here. Shall I derail her?”

Before I could reply, she stood, reached a hand out to me, and said something in French. I could see why Nathan was tempted; the language was romantic.

The model slowed, and when I stood, took Juliette’s hand, and led her to the dance floor, the other women seemingly vanished.

I studied Juliette as she walked to the dance floor. She was tall and lean and had a nice body. The dress she wore accentuated her finer points. Especially her breasts, which were pushed up in the corset top.

My body reacted, but not enough to tempt me into doing something other than admiring her from a distance.

Turning, she waited for me to draw her into my arms. Once I did, we started to dance slowly to a French song I didn’t know. I glanced around and saw Beck and Avery dancing, as well. The way they looked at one another, you could practically see the love flowing from them. I smiled.

“They’re perfect for each other, are they not?” Juliette asked.

I nodded. “They are.”

“Do you have a special someone at home, Josh?” she asked, a slight purr in her voice.

It would be easier to lie and say yes. Then she would stop flirting, I wouldn’t have to turn her down, and we would both sleep better that night.

“If I do, I haven’t found her yet.”

She smiled. “Well, whenever you find her, I hope she realizes what a special man you are.”

I drew my eyes away from the happy couple and looked at my partner. “Thank you, Juliette. That is very kind of you to say.”

With a shrug, she replied, “I speak what I see.”

The song ended, and it was announced that Avery and Beck would now leave to start their whirlwind honeymoon in France, Italy, and Spain.

Three weeks of visiting Europe didn’t sound appealing to me. I was happy back in Hamilton, Montana, the town where I grew up and still lived in. My family owned a large cattle ranch there, and my father, Ty Shaw, used to be a professional bull rider, until he had an accident that left him unable to ride. Then he worked the ranch and started raising bulls for the Professional Bull Riders Association. He’d just retired last year, and was enjoying spending time with my mother.

“Thank you for the dance,” Juliette said as I brought her hand up to my lips and gently kissed the back.

“The pleasure was all mine.”

Her cheeks stained slightly pink before she turned and walked to where everyone was gathering to say goodbye to the newlyweds.