Page 12 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

But why did she care? He wasn’t anything to her.

She snatched the protein bar off the counter, turning it in her palm as she considered. The truth was, shedidcare. It was stupid, but Carly couldn’t deny the odd sting she felt when she considered how out-of-reach Gage really was. As if she were already trying to warn herself that he was off limits. When had she ever needed that kind of warning before? Never. Not sinceshe’d fallen for Jimmy, anyway.Noother guy was an option as far as she’d been concerned.

Carly slid the protein bar into the wooden bowl on the counter and made her way to the patio. A wicker moon chair with a cream-colored cushion rested there. She sank into it and put her mind back on the puzzle in her head. The mystery of this sudden change taking place. Perhaps she really was letting go of Jimmy once and for all.

At the very idea, a rumble of upset erupted inside her chest. She’d loved Jimmy since high school. Heck, they’d taken a step into parenthood together while still in their teens. A short-lived one, but still. Could she really let him slip out of her life? Or even worse, fall in love with another woman?

The trouble with the question was more obvious than Carly wanted to admit. Because she wasn’t so sure Jimmy really loved her at all. He might not be capable of loving anyone but himself and his sorrows.

The thought was so true it made her shiver. Good. This was good.You need to get over him, Carly. It really is time to let him go.

A chime sounded from inside as she repeated the sentiment in her mind. Hopefully it would be Jill. For the first time in a long time, Carly felt like talking about the cute guy she’d met at the beach. About the way he’d brought her a peace offering with peanut butter in it, of all things. Of course, most people in the world enjoyed the flavor, but Carly had always been repulsed by it.

She leaned over the counter to secure her phone, and saw that the text she’d received was from Jimmy.

Her shoulders dropped. Her chest, filled with hope only seconds ago, deflated in a blink. “Why?” Really, though—why in the world did he have to text her at the very worst, very rare, I’m-going-to-get-over-him-once-and-for-all moments?

“Hate him,” she grumbled while tapping the screen. And in a way, she did. But what she hated more was her inability to get over him.

The text he’d sent contained a poem. One she’d have to brace herself to read. She pulled the small phone to her chest, closed her eyes, and sighed out a deep breath. And then another.

“Ready.” Carly popped her eyes open and read.

Wishes, by Jimmy the Cowboy Poet

My mind is ever filled with wishes of loving. Loving her.

Healing the wounds of my heart, she is my nurse.

Chasing the doubts from my mind, she is my defender.

Cheering me on from life’s sidelines, she is my coach.

I love her, but I can’t have her.

I can’t have her, because I’m not enough.

Never enough. Never enough. But she tells me that I am.

Maybe. Maybe just one day I’ll believe her.

Maybe that day is today.

It took a while for the words to come back in focus. Just what was he trying to say? That the day had come? That he was, in fact, ready to give things a try? Her heart pounded out a frantic rhythm as she tapped the screen to give him a call.

One ring. Two.

Shaking. Her hands were shaking.

Three rings. Four.

“You’ve reached my voicemail, but if you leave me a message, I just might call you back.” Carly tapped the screen to end the call. “Maybe today,” she grumbled. “If that was the case, you’d answer your phone.” He’d texted her less than two minutes agoand suddenly he couldn’t answer? She rolled her eyes, hating the excitement pulsing throughout her body like falling dominos.

Suddenly the small device buzzed in her hand.Jimmy calling.

With still shaking fingers, Carly swiped the screen and brought it to her ear. “Jimmy?”

“Howdy,” he mumbled. “So, what’d you think?”