“That all you two did?”
If he hasn’t heard it from Dr. Dillard yet, or Pops, or Allie, then I wasn’t about to give him any dirty details, but heismy best friend. “We’re having some fun together.”
“Just some fun?”
My shoulders tense, but I nod, even though it feels like a lie.
Last night felt too vulnerable to just be about fun, didn’t it?
The way I’d opened up to her. The way she’d talked to me like whatIwanted actually mattered. Like my dreams weren’t completely ridiculous. And the way we'd connected under the stars in such a real and profound way.
It was more than just some fun. But I don't want to admit that.
Not even to myself.
Tripp’s head cocks to the side, ready to call me out on my bullshit. “You look at her like she’s hung the moon, and she orbits around you like you’re the fucking sun.”
I swallow past the lump lodged in my throat. “Just two people gettin’ their kicks while they can still get ‘em,” I double down, and the words make my intestines clench.
That’s all it’s supposed to be. A little fun before I go back to the city. Doesn’t matter how down bad I am for that woman. If I leave,whenI leave, it’s over.
I gaze off toward the rolling hills. I might be utterly consumed by my infatuation with Sawyer, but it didn’t mean I could stay. Even though the thought of leaving her behind feels like a swift kick to the balls.
What started off as a fun day of roping has quickly turned into a conversation that has dropped a lead weight in my gut, reminding me that my time here is limited and in a couple weeks, I’ll be back in the city for good, and Sawyer will be here. And that was all there was to it.
I’d been enjoying living in this fantasy with Sawyer, and I wasn’t ready for the reality check of going back to the city next weekend and seeing my parents again for Mom’s birthday celebration. I don’t want to do it alone. I want Sawyer there. I want to spend every spare moment of time with her while I can, but I know her, and she’ll say no unless she knows her animals are taken care of.
I eye Tripp from the back of my horse. “You owe me a favor since I kept Chase from kicking your ass, right?” I ask, steering the conversation in a different direction.
“Smooth change of subject.” Tripp smirks. “I wouldn’t have gotten my ass kicked, but sure.”
“So, if I ask for something, you'll say yes?”
“I have lines I won’t cross, even for you, Wes. I don’t swing both ways.”
“Jesus Christ.”
He laughs at my muttering. “What did you need?”
Goodbyes are a Bitch
Sawyer
No.
Nope.
No way.
I cannotfall for the city boy. No matter how good he looks in a Stetson and Levi’s.
As much as I loved my night with Wes, the whole event looks a lot different in the daylight while I’m working horses. Without the stars overhead and the warmth of his body pressed against mine, I’m realizing how stupid it would be for me to fall for him.
He has no idea what he wants.
Wes may have admitted that once upon a time, he’d wanted to live in Cottonwood Creek, but that was years ago. It doesn’t mean he wants that lifenow. It doesn’t mean he’s ready to give up a steadypaycheck to gamble on taking over Dawson Ranch for Pops. Especially not when his dad is counting on him to help manage his growing accounting firm.
Every time I think about him throughout the day, I remind myself that he’s leaving soon. I’ll enjoy him while I have him, soak up these fleeting moments, but I shouldn’t give him any more pieces of myself. No more moonlit rides. No more conversations around the fire. No more tender, vulnerable moments that make my chest ache in ways I don't want to acknowledge.
