Damn it. I kinda hate Maeve right now. She’s the one who insisted on setting us up, and Clint is such a nice guy. A perfectly fine date. But none of that matters when I’m thinking about the cowboy I shoved out my window this morning. I stop walking.
“Clint, I’m not ready for this.”
“Brunch?”
“I think we should be friends. I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry, I went and fell for someone else.
“It’s okay.” Clint shakes his head. “You don’t need to apologize.”
“I just don’t want to lead you on, and I was worried that I did.”
“It’s all good, Rosalie. You don’t owe me anything, and honestly, I enjoy your company. If something more came about, great, but I went into this with zero expectations. You know, I realized the other day I don’t have many friends who aren’t married. And those who are don’t have kids. It’s nice to talk to someone who understands single parent life. Besides, if I move here, my kid is gonna need a friend too.”
“Thanks for understanding.” Relief courses through my body. All the worry I had about hurting Clint or letting him down releases.
“Thanks for getting me back out there. I’d still love to take you to eat if that’s okay? As friends?”
“I’d really like that.”
We continue walking toward the diner, and Clint steps ahead to open the door for me.
“Thanks.” I smile at him and step inside, my gaze scanning the busy diner for familiar faces.
Surprise slams into my chest at the last person I expect to see. Because across the room, my eyes lock with none other than Jackson Wilder. He’s sitting in a booth across from his brother, Aiden. Of course he is.
“Right this way,” our server chirps.
“After you.” Clint’s kind voice draws my attention back to him for a second.
I can hardly focus as I follow our server to the empty table at the window. My gaze darts back to Jackson. He no longer looks happy to see me. Correction—he looks as if he’d like to rip the menu in Clint’s hand to pieces.
I can’t believe this is happening. It’s such a stupid misunderstanding, and one that could have been avoided. Last night, I wanted to talk to Jackson about a lot of things, including this date and how it means nothing, but I put it off for more entertaining activities. It seemed like the best choice at the time, and maybe it was. But now I’m not so sure.Well, shit.
31
JACKSON
It’srare that I spend one-on-one time with any of my siblings. It’s kind of a by-product when you are the youngest of five. So, when I run into Aiden at the hardware store and he asks if I want to grab a bite, I jump at the opportunity.
He fills me in on the latest with his family as we sip coffee and place our food orders. Everything is great, until I glance up and find Rosalie walking into the diner. With another man.
My brain scrambles to formulate a rational reason for my woman to be sitting across from another man, but jealous anger coils under my skin, growing with each pulse of my heart, and chasing away all sense of logic.
“Who’s that?” I ask my brother as I glare across the room.
Aiden turns, scanning the direction of my stare. “With Rosalie?” He turns back to me and I nod. “That’s Clint Reed. He just moved here. We hired him at the station part-time. Good guy.”
Good guy.I scoff.
“So, what? They’re dating?” Is this what she wanted to talk about last night? God, I’m so fucking stupid. I grip my mug so tightly, I’m surprised it doesn’t break.
“I know Maeve was intent on setting them up, and you know how she gets when she plays matchmaker.” Aiden chuckles. “I haven’t worked with him yet, but from what I hear, he’s a stand-up guy. Owns his own construction business. Single parent, too. They’ll have that in common.”
“Yeah,” I grumble, unable to stop myself from glaring at the perfect motherfucker.
Aiden leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.
