“I’m going to dinner at my parents’,” I tell him. “You okay to close up?”
Stephen nods, then hesitates. “You fired her?”
I nod once. “Can’t have anyone make that many mistakes in a day.”
He doesn’t look convinced. Not even a little.
“I spilled beer all over a customer, brought the wrong bills to the wrong tables, and forgot to charge food to two tables on my first day,” he says evenly. “And I’m still here.”
The irritation sparks fast and sharp, heat flaring under my skin before I can temper it.
“You questioning my decision, Stephen?”
He holds my gaze for a beat too long, then shakes his head. “No, boss.”
I nod and turn away. I’m done with this conversation.
But his words follow me anyway, settling in my chest, lingering longer than they should as I drive out to my parents’ ranch and B&B.
When I pull in, I shut off the truck and just sit there, hands still on the wheel, fingers tightening slightly against the worn leather. I let out a long breath.
I did what I needed to do.
Lexy, she…
My jaw tightens, and I stare straight ahead at the darkening outline of the ranch.
As much as I wanted to give her another chance, I couldn’t.
Because I can’t work with someone who makes me feel this… wrong.
This off balance.
This aware.
Someone who gets under my skin without even trying, who makes my instincts louder than they should be and my control feel thinner than I’m comfortable with.
No.
I did the right thing.
I have to believe that.
Because the second I don’t, I already know I’ll be turning this truck around.
I get out of my truck and light a cigarette.
“You coming in, asshole? We’re starving, and Mom won’t let us start without you!” Ethan growls.
I just smile at him and show him my middle finger. He shakes his head and walks back inside.
As much as I want to take my time, I don’t. It’s freezing, and my fingers are already numb.
Inside, the smell of roast beef and cornbread hits me. My mama makes her way over.
“How’s my boy doing?”
Her hands come around me, and I let out a breath. Her hugs always have the power to ground me.
