Me
We aren’t flirting. We are talking about how you’re getting home. I can’t come tonight. There’d be no one to watch Maverick
He can be on his own for a little bit
“Sorry, am I interrupting? I can just go. Callie is waiting outside.”
“No, sorry. It’s just my boss being an asshole like usual,” I quickly cover. “So, you’re a real cowgirl now, huh?”
“What?”
“The boots.”
“Oh, these old things?” She sticks one of the brown boots out for me to see properly. “I’ve always had these.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you got a lot of use out of them in San Francisco.”
“Okay, fine, Sherlock Holmes. They’re Callie’s.”
“I knew that.”
“Really? Do I look like that much of a fraud?”
“No, you look beautiful. You’ll fit right in tonight. It’s just a different look for you,” I hurry to correct myself. “I like it though.”
“Thanks.” She glances down at her boots, blushing, before looking back at me with sweet eyes. “Do you want to come out with us tonight? I know you have Maverick, but he’d be okay for an hour or two on his own. Plus, you could use a little fun. Leave your annoying boss behind and come hang out with us. I heard some band is playing there tonight. Callie is excited about it.”
How the hell am I supposed to say no to those pleading eyes?I want to say yes. I want to go dance with Olivia and end the night by finally kissing her, but I’ve already said yes too many times where Olivia is concerned. I’m headed down the wrong path, and I need to reel things back in.
Forcing myself to buck up and do the right thing, I step back from her, trying to pry myself out of her elusive aura. “I don’t really go to bars.” Her shoulders visibly sag, and it crushes me. “You make an enticing offer, though.”
She gives me a small smile, the slightest bit of hope in her eyes. She leans in toward me, grabbing onto my arm and looking up at me with big doe eyes. Her touch is electric, and my resolve is rapidly crumbling.
“Please come out with us tonight. Callie is the one who suggested it, so I know it’s okay with her. Plus, I’m a little nervous about being alone with her all night.”
Again, I have to put some space between us before I can tell her no. “You’ll be fine. You and Callie have been getting along really well. This will be good for you.”
“I’m sorry. Did you just say this will be good for me?”
“I may not enjoy bars all that much myself, but I think Callie is great and the two of you could become good friends. It’d be nice for you to have a friend here. You need someone to hang out with besides a grumpy cowboy.” The traces of a smile line my lips.
“Are you making a joke right now?”
“Maybe.”
She narrows her eyes. “Didn’t you once tell me Callie and I are trouble together?”
“You need to listen a little less to everything I have to say. I’m allowed to change my mind every once in a while.”
“Okay, but don’t do it too often. It’s freaking me out.”
“Trust me, I try not to.” The irony isn’t lost on me because I know it’s going to take every fiber of my being to keep from changing my mind, accepting her invitation tonight, and letting myself completely fall for her.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Olivia
The Long Neckis filled with an exorbitant amount of people. The rumbling of voices paired with pounding music on the speakers is almost overwhelming. I didn’t even know Roots had this many people, but here’s the proof that I was wrong. The bar is packed to the brim with chattering Roots residents. There are tons of men dressed just like Rhett in cowboy boots, well-fitting Wrangler jeans, and hats.Maybe Texas isn’t so bad after all.
