“He was older. Grey beard. I think I saw him over near the bullpens swinging a rope,” I tell Hayes.
“What the fuck is she doing with an older man like that?” Hayes snarls.
Cade and I share a look. Hayes may act like he doesn’t still care for her, but every now and then he lets that facade slip.
“What’s it matter to you?” Colter asks. “Told you, any guy around would want to get with that.”
“Colter John. That is enough,” Mom scolds. “Sarah is such a lovely girl. She can be with whoever treats her right and makes her happy.” Swinging her head, she narrows her eyes at Hayes, who grabs his plate and pushes away from the table.
“Thanks for dinner.”
When the door closes, we all look around the table.
“Why is Uncle Hayes angry?” Maisey asks her dad.
“Because he’s an idiot who won’t admit he’s in love,” Dad tells her.
“So? How was your date with West Saturday night?”
It’s Tuesday morning, and Sarah, Wren, and I are busy prepping for the twelve dozen cookies we have to make today.
“It was really good,” I tell them, reaching for the bracelet on my wrist and grinning.
“You guys looked really cute together,” Wren says as she pulls out the mixer. “I was watching you walk around the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother look so happy.”
“Let’s see the bracelet!” Sarah says, putting down her rolling pin and walking over to my edge of the counter. “OMG! Jade, that’s beautiful!”
I smile at the gold chain as Sarah and Wren look over my wrist. “It is, isn’t it.”
“I’m so happy for you Jade, you deserve to let love in,” Sarah says, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.
My face flames, and I shake my head. “No one said anything about love. We are still getting to know each other.”
“Can you see yourself falling for him in that way, though?” Wren asks tentatively.
There is no hesitation. “Absolutely,” I tell her with a small smile.
“Good. He really likes you, and he was pretty messed up for a while there when Lauren left. I don’t think any of us thought he would trust again. So, please don’t break his heart.”
My stomach rolls, and I feel sick. Despite believing in a real possibility of falling in love with West, I’ll never actually be able to let him all the way in. Wren’s words are just another reminder of how much I can hurt him.
“So, tell me, is he a good kisser?” Sarah teases, bumping my hip.
My eyes glance downward, face on fire. “I don’t know,” I say quietly, shifting from foot to foot under their stare.
“Jade. I know you don’t have much experience, but how do you not know if he’s a good kisser or not? Was it good? Sloppy?” Sarah asks with a crease between her eyes.
“Ewe, can we not, please,” Wren says looking grossed out. “I truly do not need to know the details.”
I look up at Sarah, feeling a little embarrassed. “We didn’t kiss.”
The crease between her brows deepens, and she looks at me like I have two heads. “I’m sorry. He didn’t try to kiss you?”
“No, he did,” I say, glancing over to Wren. “We were kind of interrupted. Twice,” I say with a giggle. As much as I was dying for him to kiss me, it is kind of funny.
“Sorry.” Wren cringes, and Sarah looks at us questioningly.
I sigh. “We almost kissed at the fair, but Wren interrupted,” I explain. “And then again when he walked me to my door we were so close, but his phone rang and it kind of spoiled the moment. I got nervous.” I shrug.
