I push the mac ’n’ cheese around my plate and manage a tight smile. “Timing couldn’t be worse. With me, you know, wanting to quit my job to do something totally off the wall too. I’m worried… If I’m being honest, I’m pretty scared that my family will think I’m an idiot.”
“Why? Because trying to date a guy who doesn’t date is a poor decision?” His mouth twitches as he brings his cocktail to his lips. “The nerve of them to assume we got nothin’ but air between our ears.”
I don’t want to laugh, but I do. “Exactly. I need them to see you how I see you, Ry.”
“You mean you want me to play guitar for them?”
“Yes.” More laughter.
Ilovehow this man goes out of his way to make me laugh. How much easier is life once you stop taking everything so damn seriously?
“You need me to put on a show, I’ll put on a show, darlin’.”
“Really?”
“Really.” There’s a steadiness to the way he meets my eyes now that has my stomach doing several backflips. “You need me, I’m there.”
“Wow,” I breathe. “Wow, Ry, you’re a really great boyfriend for someone who’s never dated before.”
He lifts a massive shoulder. “Maybe I’ve been wantin’ to date for a while, just been too chickenshit to do it. I got a lotta pent-up love to go around.”
My mind catches on the word.
Love.
Oh God, ohGod, that’s gotta mean something, doesn’t it?
“Eat your food, Billie.” Ryder nods at my plate. “I’m serious. You’re with me, you don’t go hungry.”
“I’m always hungry when I’m with you. Not for food, but for your gorgeous?—”
“Billie.”
“Your gorgeousspirit, Ry. I love your gorgeous spirit.”
His shoulders shake. “Goddamn it, if I choke?—”
“I’ll give you mouth-to-mouth.”
“You’ll be doin’ something with that mouth.” His eyes glimmer. “But that’s up to me. Now eat.”
The food is delicious, but the steak is the standout. Although I probably only think that because the Homestead Hen sources their beef from Lucky River Ranch, and I know how hard Ryder and his brothers work to care for their cattle.
“So, this animal therapy program.” I reach across the table to steal a piece of Ryder’s steak because I ate all of mine. “Talk to me about it.”
He pushes his plate toward me, offering me more. “I think it’d be a natural extension of the Wallace Ranch’s equine programs. I know your parents would love the community outreach angle.”
A shiver of excitement darts up my spine as I eat my boyfriend’s steak.
My boyfriend.
“They’d definitely love it, hopefully more than they’d hate losing an accountant.”
“Your Dad can, and will, find another accountant, Billie.”
“I know. I just start to feel stressed thinking about him having to find someone, and then train them, and then hope that the person is trustworthy and isn’t going to, you know, steal our money or anything.”
Ryder lets his head fall to the side as he gives me a look. “The chances of that happening?—”
