"Think before you spend. One day, you'll meet a woman you'll want to marry, and the last thing you want is to bring her into a bad financial situation," Jacob adds.
Jagger rolls his eyes, then turns up the music.
He's right. Willow's going to need a nice ring.
I'm going to make so much, it'll make her trust fund look small.
The ride goes by quickly, with Jagger and I singing most of the way. When we pull up to the house, I get out and tell Jagger, "I'm going for a walk."
"Why?" he asks.
"Need to think for a bit," I state.
"Don't let Dad rain on our parade," he says.
"He's not. I need some time by myself," I insist, then walk toward the corral, taking my belt buckle with me.
Willow will want to see it, I'm sure.
I walk past the corral and onto the trail, then veer off toward the first guesthouse, whistling and ready to see my girl.
The closer I get, the more my happiness fades. The guesthouse is dark.
Maybe she's sleeping?
I step inside, call out, "Sugar, where are you?" and then turn on the lights.
It's pointless. She isn't here. The house is empty.
I text her.
Me: Where are you?
She doesn't answer.
Damn it!
I race back to the house, step inside, and make small talk with the others, trying to find an opportunity where it'll be safe to look for Willow.
Another hour passes, and it's torture. I finally make my escape and sneak into her room. The full moon shines through her window. I slide into her bed and put my hand over her mouth.
She jerks and then glares at me.
I chuckle quietly. "Don't be mad."
The daggers in her eyes sharpen.
I remove my hand and kiss her.
She pushes me away. "Go to your room, Wyatt."
I tug her closer. "Is this any way to treat your champion man?"
"You mean my champion man who didn't have the courtesy to text me, and let me wait for him all night?" she spouts.
I stroke her hair. "I'm sorry, sugar. I didn't have my phone. There were so many people around trying to get my attention, and I didn't get your messages until we were leaving."
"Sure."
