“Should I take that as a compliment?” I mumble, but it comes out more like a question. I stuff my mouth with pancake because that’s the only way I’ll survive this conversation.
Flint’s eyes crinkle at the corners. “It is what it is, Sugar Plum.” He runs a finger down the side of my face, sending shivers shooting down my spine. “One look at you and I lost my goddamn mind, then my heart followed closely behind it.” I freeze. Literally, I just stop existing for a second.
Did he really just say that? Am I awake? Or is this still dreamland?
“Wha—?” My mouth opens and closes like a cartoon character. I’m just staring at him while he sits there, looking all casual, like he didn’t just launch a nuclear bomb at my frontal cortex. My ovaries are doing the Macarena.
He takes another bite of pancake, eyes on me the whole time, then adds, “Not that I ever planned on losing my goddamn heart. But then you came in last night dressed like that, looking lost as hell, and I knew I was done for.”
I choke. On air. And also on pancake, but mostly air.
“Did I wake up in the freaking Twilight Zone?” I laugh, but I’m so nervous that it comes out squeaky.
“If you did, I’m there with you.” He laughs and walks over to grab the coffee pot. As he tops off my coffee cup, I shovel another bite of the world’s most perfect pancakes into my mouth. “We’ll figure this shit out together.”
For the first time in a long, long time, I let myself hope that maybe the universe is done screwing with me.
FOUR
FLINT
I can tellthat Saoirse is a little freaked out, so I decide to back off and give her little space to process what I’ve said and the intent behind it. When I get her in my bed, I don’t want her wondering how the fuck she ended up there. I want her confident that it’s where she wants to be. Which means she needs time to sit with it.
So, I let her finish her breakfast in peace while I step into the living room to take care of a few things. Even though it’s the weekend, work on a ranch never really stops, especially in the middle of winter, when half the heifers are pregnant, and a rare winter snowstorm is all over the forecast. I need to make sure the hands have shit covered until I can check in later.
I shoot a text to Walker Jessup, who helps keep everyone in line when I’m not around to do it myself.
Me
I need you to handle things this morning. I won’t be around until later.
My text flips to read almost immediately, and then three dots appear.
Walker
You good?
He would ask. I never skip out on work unless it’s serious. Getting Saoirse into my bed is about as serious as it can be, but I’m not telling him that. She’s my business, no one else’s.
Me
Yeah. Just got some shit to take care of here.
Walker
And by “shit to take care of,” I assume you mean the pretty little elf you hauled out of the Spur last night?
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter. “I’m going to kill Blaze and Tanner.” Of course, they’re already running their mouths. The whole goddamn ranch probably knows about her by now.
Me
Maybe.
Walker
Good luck with that.
Walker
