“I’m saying, you don’t know how to be alone. You are not happy with yourself, therefore, you try to find happiness in someone else.”
The words shock me for a moment, and my other friends lift their brows in surprise that Garrett just called me out like that.
“You all think this?”
Enzo sighs and shrugs his shoulders. “I mean, Stace did a number on you. But it does seem like you could use some time to focus on yourself, man. I know you want to find someone, but dating just anyone who comes along is not good for you.”
I shudder at the mention of my ex. That was a low point in my life, one I would gladly erase from my mind if I could find a way to make it happen.
Finally, over his shoulder, my eyes catch on Elizabeth, and my feet are begging me to move. But here I am, being accosted by my best friends in the world, and now, I’m not sure about anything.
One of the ranch’s wranglers walks over to Elizabeth. and she gives them a kind and shy smile. He holds out his hand, and for a moment, she glances around the area, and my breath lodges in my chest.
Then, she places her hand in his and follows him to the dance floor.
Something in me hurts to see it, and I shake my head, turning back to the guys. “Fine.”
“Fine?” Archer asks, watching me closely.
“Fine. From this moment forward, I hereby swear off dating.”
“Really?” Garrett looks positively giddy at the prospect, and I just glare at him.
“Yes. I can live with myself, thank you very much.”
At least, I hope I can.
Chapter Four
“Don’t take life so seriously. Save a horse, ride a cowboy, as they say. Or in this case, a corporate bro.” – Hattie
ELIZABETH
“Birdie! They say to try shaving cream.” I sigh as I stare at my daughter in the bathtub. She is currently covered in a hot pink hue, courtesy of the permanent marker she found when I was on a Zoom call in my office.
“Do we have any?” I ask my sister and roommate, Hattie, who leans against the doorway to the bathroom now, smirking at her little niece.
“Yeah, under the sink, I think I have some leftover from Jack.”
I dig around under the sink and find the white and blue can from Hattie’s ex-boyfriend, who used to come and stay with her. Back then, I hadn’t loved having him in mine andmy daughter’s space so much, even though he was a nice guy. But right now, I’m thankful for it.
I rub a small amount on my daughter’s arm and watch as it miraculously fades. Her little eyes widen as she watches the ink disappear. “Wow! It’s like magic.”
“That doesn’t mean you should do it again,” I say in a stern voice, trying to get her attention. She knows better than to mess with markers that are not her own, but she’s also four, and forbidden fruit is usually a fun time.
“Okay,” she replies solemnly, and we quickly finish up her bath and start getting her settled down for bed.
My sister and I live in a small three-bedroom apartment. It’s on the outskirts of Denver, giving us semi-affordability, but it was the best we could do. I can’t quite afford a house for me and Aurora just yet, and my sister was desperate not to stay with our parents when she graduated from school. Plus, when she can, she helps me out with Aurora.
For now, this works for us.
I read Aurora a story, and Hattie, short for Harriet, comes to say a quick good night. It’s not long before my girl is down for the count, and I head into the living room. It’s still early, early enough to binge-watch at least three episodes of my favorite show and have at least two glasses of wine.
“How is work?” Hattie asks as she pours us each a glass. It was fun being an adult and living with my sister, she was exactly what I needed after everything we’ve been through these past few years, and I’m always so grateful to have her.
I let out a long-suffering sigh. “This boss is a piece of work, honestly.”
“Still being a misogynist and giving that guy all the campaigns?”
