I almost told her about Summer. Almost. But I kept the news to myself. I had no idea what the future held for me and Summer, and I didn’t want to end up letting down my parents again.
Summer
I checked my appearance one last time. Jonah would be here any minute, but I’d been ready for hours. Weird how he’d seen me in nothing but sweats or naked the entire time I’d been in his cabin, yet today I’d been through three pairs of my best bottoms—glittery black leggings, skinny jeans that made my legs look killer with suede ankle boots, and tan pants that would go with heeled boots.
I was in the skinny jeans. I wasn’t dating Boyd, thank god, and I hoped Jonah and I would like the same places. I’d told him to choose the restaurant so he could find a place he was comfortable in. I was already pushing him out of his comfort zone.
After a week of being tied to my desk, I couldn’t wait for a night out. I’d been missing Jonah all week. I had it bad.
There was a knock on the door. My nerves climbed from my stomach into my throat. I did a little wiggleand tugged at the soft pink sweater I wore over a cami. It hung loose and would show more than cleavage if I let it go. Jonah might not mind.
I opened my front door and my greeting came out a squeak. Jonah had looked nice at the wedding when he’d been dressed in slacks and a blue dress shirt. His hair had been combed and his scruff had been short. I also hadn’t paid a ton of attention to the details at the time and had soaked in his presence and protection and support.
Tonight, it was like Jonah had gone into the memory bank and found a younger version of himself for inspiration. His winter coat hung unzipped. He must’ve tossed it on when he was leaving the pickup. It was open enough to show an olive-green Henley hugging his chest. His jeans were crisp. Not exactly new, but not one of the worn pairs he used when he worked. The brown boots on his feet were a lot like my brothers’ dress cowboy boots. They weren’t Jonah’s usual black work boots that he’d cleaned up for my wedding.
I blinked at his face. The beard was slightly shorter than when I’d left, and neatly trimmed, but his hair was combed off his forehead and to the side.
He held his arms apart and looked down at himself. “Something wrong?”
“No. Everything’s so right. You look dapper, yet rugged. Like a mountain man with manners, one who can still get dirty for all the right reasons.”
His smile made the corners of his eyes crinkle. “Don’t ever doubt that.”
“I won’t.” I grabbed my coat. He was staying over, so I’d give him the grand tour of my condo later.
His gaze lifted past me.
I glanced over my shoulder to see my place the way he did. I had paintings of wildflowers on the walls, but the rest was a normal condo. A big-screen TV was mounted on the living room wall. From my front door, he could see the edge of the kitchen island and the dining room off to my left. The dark living room would show the shadows of furniture similar to his. I’d gone into a furniture store and picked out a set I liked. I had a bedroom with a bathroom, a guest bathroom, and a spare room I’d made my catch-all—office, guest room, storage, library.
“It’s not like your place,” I said.
His chuckle was abashed. “It’s not what I was expecting.”
“I knew I’d be in Bourbon Canyon a lot, so I wanted a minimal-maintenance place. Yet I had Daddy’s advice in my ear to build equity and all that.” Plus, I hadn’t planned to be in a small condo until my mid-thirties. I was supposed to have been married with kids in an idyllic house by now.
“Makes sense.” He held his hand out. “Shall we?”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Jonah
Summer was so goddamn fine, I’d had a hard time navigating the streets of Bozeman. Those pants of her hugged her body like a second skin. Curves for miles, and I wanted those legs wrapped around my waist. I’d seen her hair in a fancy style the day of her wedding. After, she’d kept it loose or up in some sort of sloppy bun that was cute as hell. Tonight, her bright strands were sleek and hanging in large curls over one shoulder. The strawberry hue was more apparent than normal and I dug it all. She was hot.
If I hadn’t wanted to prove to myself that my semi-exile hadn’t turned me into a mannerless beast, I’d have pushed her backward into the condo and taken her against the door. But I could be a damn gentleman for one night.
For a few hours.
Thank fuck the place I had scoped out ahead of time was a steakhouse. Judging from her squeal of delight when I turned into the lot, I’d picked the right place.
We were heading toward the door, and she clutched my arm. I’d left my cane in the car. The parking area was mostly clear with minimal ice. I had her anchoring me, and I’d rather hold on to her above all else.
When we got to the door, a girl swung the door open, grin plastered in place. Her gaze dipped to my legs, no doubt taking in my limp, then rose to my face, right to the scar. Her attention skittered to Summer and she smiled brighter. “Welcome!”
She glanced shyly at me but couldn’t meet my gaze.
My mood darkened. I was in a different town to escape this behavior. Had Summer noticed I scared this young girl?
“Two tonight?” the hostess said in her most chipper tone. Her gaze was locked on Summer, and it was like I no longer existed.
