Willow:I’m done falling, remember?
Rose:I do.
Willow:Then what are you worried about?
Rose:He’s a Thorne. If there was ever a man worth the fall, it’s him.
I sigh as my stomach drops. I know.
“So where’s this Bones place you were raving about?” I ask Rose on Friday night.
She hadn’t actuallyravedabout the place. But I know it’s where she ended up causing a major bar fight on her first solo night out in Blue River Springs. And I assume it’s where we’re heading for drinks this evening.
I know what she’s doing. Finding out where I stand since that kiss with Dallas.
And she can go ahead and grill me all she wants. I couldn’t care less that Dallas’s bachelor party is tomorrow night. Including what he may or may not do at such a thing. Nor have I rationalized that since the wedding is technically all for show, the bachelor party must be too.
I suddenly feel nauseous.
Which is stupid, because Dallas has been grumpy about the whole thing all week.
“I’m not taking you to Bones. Not tonight anyway. That’s more of a weekday kind of bar. It’s Friday night, we’ll level up a notch.”
“Gee, thanks. Can’t wait to see what ‘level up’ means around here.”
OK, so maybe I’m a bit grumpy too.
The texts with Rose earlier this week were disheartening—even if she is right.
Just before I pulled back from our heated kiss a few nights ago, something shifted in Dallas, something that threw me off. Almost like his body was acting before his mind caught up.
And sure, those make for the best kisses, but is that what I want? For him tolosehimself in me?
Would it be too much to ask for a man tofindhimself with me?
I’ve been wondering if maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe he’d heard Ellie too. And this is all just my history with heartbreak creeping in. My trust radar going off. They say parents have that natural instinct .?.?. or prediction when their child is about to wake up.
Judging by his avoidance this week—I’m going with my first suspicion.
He’s closed off.
Emotionally locked away.
Or worse .?.?. still haunted by grief.
And I’m either falling into my old ways—or I’ve found something that’s worth giving a chance.
Whatever this thing, or non-thing is with us, we’re sort of .?.?. back to normal.
Even if my underwear is still enjoying its new life in his possession.
He still has that fancy coffee machine running a little extra for me each morning. Makes fun of my knitted socks. And still cuts in on my bottomless rambling just when I’m about to get to my point.
The things thathavechanged are the things I’ve found myself longing for. His gaze doesn’t linger anymore. There’s no flirty banter when Ellie isn’t around.
To him, I’m just .?.?. the under-table paid nanny. The one to make his problem go away.
Way to make a girl feel irresistible.
