“You’re right, okay. Thank you for reminding me.”
“No worries, girl, thanks for chatting. I need to head to the next ranch. Let me know when you want to hang out again!”
“Sounds good, I’ll text you,” I say and hang up.
The house is silent, and I can hear the birds chirping outside. Forcing myself to focus for a little longer, I look into my next project and then make a phone call to the internet service to see what I can do to get a stronger signal.
My phone dings again, and I prepare myself to read another message from my boss. But it’s Cooper. I open the text and find a link to a song,All My Ex’s Live in Texasby George Strait.
Cooper: I would like to preface this by saying I don’t have exes that live in Texas. George Strait is the GOAT, and this came out in the 80s.
I smile at the phone and play the song. I’ve heard it before, and I don’t think there’s a single person who hasn’t, but I’m hearing it with new ears, and I like it even more.
While the song plays, I grab my purse and head for the shop with more work in front of me, but a smile on my face. My goal today is to make a list of wedding venues within a fifty-mile radius and start making calls. I hate talking on the phone like this, but I don’t have a choice. Money needs to come through the door, or I’ll have to make a tough phone call to my aunt, and I refuse to give up.
***
After making my list of wedding venues, I put together a few bouquets, hoping I can sell them today as my classic 80s playlist bumps in the background.
Finishing up with my last one, I put it in the cooler with a little price tag and close the door. The bell rings and I spin on my heel to greet the customer, butthe words die on my lips as Cooper approaches me with a grin on his handsome face.
“Hey Mae.”
Thud.
“Hi Cooper, I —”
Thud. Thud.
“Can I say something before you tell me no?” he asks.
I frown. I was going to tell him I didn’t have an answer yet, even though I know what it is in my gut, and I think that’s what scares me.
I angle my head, waiting for him to say what’s on his mind.
“Look, I won’t apologize for Jacob. He’s an asshole, and you deserve better,” he says.
“And you’re better?” I ask him.
He chuckles and takes a step forward.
I retreat, my back hitting the cooler.
“If I’m being honest, maybe not for you, but I know I’m better than Jacob, and I’m sorry for what he did to you. But I’m glad you saw his true colors before you got any deeper.”
I swallow thickly and nod.
“I think you sense what’s between us. We have this chemistry, and I want to see what happens if you’re willing to. I told you to take your time because I am a patient man, but I’m also dying over here, Mae. Please put me out of my misery.”
I bite my lip and drop my eyes. He’s distracting. When I look at him, I want to sayyes, sir,to whatever he asks. But I desperately have to protect my heart because it’s been battered and bruised. I don’t know how many more hits I can take.
“Can we … be friends first?” I ask him, suddenly nervous because something in my heart, my mind, mysoultells me when I tell him yes, it will change everything.
Cooper chuckles and rubs his mustache. “Mae, I don’t need anymore friends.”
The statement feels like a hammer on hot metal. It clangs loudly, and it’s hot, and I’m sweating.
“If I say yes, will it get you to stop coming in here?” I ask him.
