Trying like hell to keep some boundaries where she was concerned.
She and I took the horses out together every night, and we’d talk and laugh just like old times, but I’d always end things abruptly.
I was falling into that comfortable pattern with her that we’d always had.
The one that had led to me being madly in love with her.
The one that had led to no other woman comparing to her.
The one that had led to two years of heartache.
I needed to be wise.
Wren was unsure about her future, but she’d made it clear that she wasn’t staying; that much I knew. She was heading back to North Carolina to start competing again.
So going all in on this girl was risky.
Because it hurt like hell when she’d left the first time.
It took me a long time to move on with my life, which I couldn’t even say I’d successfully done yet.
“Hey, Axel.” A voice came from behind me, and I heard the door close.
I turned around to see Lily Anderson walking toward me.
“Oh, hi. What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I was in the neighborhood.” She winked.
It’s a small town. If you live here, you’re kind of always in the neighborhood.
I wiped my hands on a towel and turned to face her. “What can I do for you?”
“That’s the million-dollar question,” she said, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. She was attractive, no doubt about it. I just didn’t feel anything romantic toward her, although she’d tried on several occasions.
“How so?” I asked, unsure how to respond to that.
“Well, there’s a few things you can do for me, if I’m being honest.” She stepped closer. “But for starters, I wanted to see if you’d go with me tonight to Booze and Brews for a beer and some line dancing.”
I started to let her down, but then she clasped her hands together as if she were praying. “Please, Axel. It doesn’t have to mean anything. We’re old friends. Let’s just go have a good time. All my friends are bringing dates, and I just don’t want to go alone.”
I internally groaned, because I had no desire to go, but I wasn’t a complete asshole.
She was nice enough, and I didn’t want to be cruel.
“As long as there are no expectations.” I cleared my throat.
“None. Just two friends out having a good time.” She flicked her finger against the rim of my hat. “And I insist that you wear the hat. It suits you.”
“Hey, Lily, long time no see,” Wren said as she came out of the lunchroom with the guys.
“Oh. Hi, Wren. I forgot that you were back in town. I heard your parents split up—sorry about that,” Lily said, and I didn’t miss the way Wren winced. Lily didn’t strike me as a malicious girl, but I’d definitely put her in the category of someone who wasn’t great at reading the room.
Hence asking me out multiple times, even after I’d turned her down every single time.
“It’s fine,” Wren said, shaking her head. She strode closer in her worn boots. She was wearing a pair of navy shorts that showed off her gorgeous tan legs. “I mean, it’s not fine, I guess. But I think it will be eventually.”
“Are you still competing at the little horse stuff?” Lily asked as she stepped closer to me. She was basically pressed up against me in the most awkward way now. I thought the question was condescending as hell.
