Oh hell.
"That's not what I meant—-"
"Sure sounded like it." She was at the door now.
"Dixie, wait. Please." I caught up to her outside. "I didn't mean it like that. I swear. I was talking about family pressure, not actual kids."
"Right."
"I'm serious." I ran my hand through my hair. "I love kids. I was just—-" I scrambled for the right words. "I put my foot in my mouth. I do that. Ask anyone."
She stopped walking. Didn't turn around, but stopped.
"Look," I said. "I'm an idiot. Certified. Ask my family—-they'll give you a whole list of stupid things I've said. But I genuinely didn't mean anything against kids. Or your mom's daycare. My little cousins love when I let them ride the four-wheeler. Kids are great. It's my family's expectations that make me break out."
Her expression softened slightly.
"It's honestly impressive how often I say the wrong thing." I tried a smile. "Pretty sure there's a chart at the ranch house tracking my record. Scout's honor."
"Were you even a scout?"
"Absolutely not. Got kicked out of Cub Scouts for putting a frog in the troop leader's coffee."
She laughed. "Of course you did."
"So we're good?" I asked.
She sighed. "We're good. But I'm watching you, Hunter Massey."
"Fair enough." I gestured toward my truck. "Can we go shopping now? Before you change your mind again?"
"You're lucky I need the money."
"Trust me, I know."
The boutique was twenty minutes away in the next town—-one of those places with a chandelier in the window and no price tags in sight. Mom had mentioned it a thousand times.
Dixie stopped walking when she saw the storefront.
I opened the door. "Come on."
"Hunter—"
"Trust me."
She followed reluctantly. A saleswoman in head-to-toe black materialized instantly.
"Welcome to Evangeline's! How can we help you today?"
"My girlfriend needs outfits for a wedding weekend," I said smoothly. "Rehearsal dinner Friday night, then the wedding on Saturday."
Her eyes lit up. "A wedding! How wonderful! What's the dress code?"
"Black-tie. Valentine's Day theme. Very traditional."
"Oh, how romantic!" She turned to Dixie. "You must be so excited! What's your style?"
Her eyes went wide, darting between the saleswoman and the dresses. "I, uh, I'm not sure."
