I nearly choked laughing.
Managed to steer her toward the door before Hope could hit us with more medical sarcasm.
Willa leaned into me without asking—like I was hers already. And for the first time in ages, I let myself believe that maybe… just maybe… I didn’t mind.
I turned at the doorway, gave Hope a nod, and kissed the top of Willa’s head.
She giggled into my jacket.
And I knew—soon as that door closed—we were gonna laugh our damn heads off.
As soon as we stepped outside, Willa grinned.
“Okay, that was fun. Weird, but fun. So what’s next?”
“Next?”
If I told her all the scenarios running through my head right now… Hell,I’dblush too.
This girl had no clue how many times I’d undressed her in my mind since she walked into Rick’s bar like a living dare.
She tilted her head. “Think you can take me back to the bar? Or is there a place around here I can book a room?”
“Room?” I blinked.
“Yeah. You know, inn? Motel? Airbnb?”
I thought I’d maxed out my laughs for the night, but apparently not.
“This is Dalmore, baby. You’re either born here, or they let you stay out of pity. That’s it. No tourists. Just horses, cows, and barflies.”
I saw it hit her—just for a second. That grin she wore like armor slipped, and something likeoh shitflashed across her face.
“Okay… so what’s the closest actual town? With… I don’t know. Stuff?”
I adjusted my hat. Looked down the road like I hadn’t done that math a hundred times before.
“Red Lodge. About forty-five miles. But maybe…”
“Maybe?” she asked, hopeful. Like I might say,just kidding, there’s a Hilton behind the feed store.
I smirked. “Well, now that you can saddle a horse and last two seconds on a bull, maybe you can pull it off.”
She groaned and playfully punched my chest. “You’re an ass. Not funny. I’m not sleeping in Rick’s hayloft.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’mslightlymore refined than that.”
“Right, of course. Totally makes sense.” I nodded, mock serious. “So tell me, Miss Refined—whatwasthe original plan here?”
She shrugged, a little sheepishly. “Honestly? Ride the bull, check it off my list, and then book a room online. Thought it’d be easy.”
“Check it off your list?”
“Long story,” she muttered. “Let’s just find a place to crash.”
I gave her a slow nod. “Alright. First step—back to town.”
