She looked up and into his eyes. “I hate him, you know? And I hate myself for being dumb enough to believe he loved me. He was a giant, walking red-flag from the beginning.”
“I’m all ears if you’d like to talk about it, Blythe. Chris told me a little bit about why you came out here, but I wasn’t convinced even he knew the whole story.”
“I haven’t told anyone the whole story. The only person who really knows is my best friend, Jenny. My parents cut me off after high school, and I really don’t have much to do with them. They knew I was engaged and planning a wedding, but our relationship never recovered when I applied to be a waitress after high school…and threw college out the window.”
“Wow. I’m really sorry about that.” She felt his eyes lingering on her. “I bet you were one hell of a waitress, though. Probably getting tips out the yin yang. I saw you bent over in those painted on jeans.” He smirked and waggled his brows.
She let out a laugh as she looked up at the sky. “That’s why they hired me. Said I was the type to grab attention. I don’t get it, but I kept my ass out of reach. That’s where I met Max.”
“Is that his name? I assumed it would be something a little more distinguished and douche baggy. Douglas, maybe?”
Blythe laughed a scoff and confirmed.
“His name is Maxwell Harrison, and he turned out to be a real big one.”
“A real big what?”
“Douche bag!” She looked at him confused.
“Yeah, I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.” One side of Justin’s mouth kicked up.
There was no pretense with him. He was the most down to earth man she’d ever met. He flirted without pause, and everyword out of his mouth was honest. But she didn’t know how much more she wanted to confess.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to tell the rest.” She looked at him, wanting to spill her guts, but knowing she wasn’t ready to dig open her wound completely. It was still so fresh, and she needed to process a little more.
“Well, when you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
Justin gently clapped his legs on his horse and galloped towards the girls as they hit the edge of the meadow.
They made it home just as the sun sank below the mountains that surrounded the ranch. Justin helped Addie and Evie down from their horses and told them to run inside. He would brush down all the animals and put them away.
Blythe swung her leg over one side to get down off her mount. As her feet touched the ground, she could feel him behind her.
“About earlier today…”
She turned and practically ran head first into Justin’s hard chest.
“I kissed you, and I know we butted heads, but I hope you’ll let me take you out on a date. Sayyes.”
She could see his eyes were sincere, and for a moment, she paused. She wanted to say yes, she really did. Maybe it was too soon, but after their ride and everything they’d said to each other—everything he’d shared—she couldn’t say no.
“Okay, cowboy,” she whispered and tipped her head up further to see his handsome face better.
His lips parted and he ran his tongue over the bottom one. His white teeth were showing through his grin. She moved past him as she left the barn and hurried toward the house. She heard his deep voice call from behind her.
“Saturday. I’ll be here to pick you up. Be ready for a good time.”
She waved as she climbed the porch steps, then opened the screen door to go inside. Chris was waiting for her at the kitchen table. A plate of grilled steak and a bowl of broccoli were sitting in the center of the big wooden square. Addie and Evie were already scarfing down their dinner like two little puppies who hadn’t eaten all day.
“Hey, Lythie girl, are you hungry?” Chris eyed her with a twinkle of mischief on his face.
“I’m starved. Did you and the boys get busy today? You never sent one of them to help us saddle the horses.”
Chris lifted a brow. “Didn’t you spend the day with Justin?”
Her jaw dropped to the floor. “You senthim? He said he was out there shoeing horses.”
“He was, and when he finished, I told him you girls needed some help. He didn’t have any more clients and was happy to do it.”
