“What’s going on in that pretty little brain of yours, Cove?” Betsy asks me quietly, thankfully not bringing any unwanted attention to my change in mood.
“This feels wrong.” I run my thumb along my gold rings, spinning them in place. “I never used to feel bad about shopping and spending money. But now, I feel horrible. My mom is drowning, Bets. Drowning. And here I am, about to spend thousands of dollars on an evening gown for a ball.”
Betsy’s hand finds mine. “Youaren’t buying anything. This is a gift, Cove. With no strings whatsoever. Everything with your mom will work out. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m going to call him,” I deadpan, my tone more serious than ever.
And I know right away Betsy knows I’m not talking about Stetson. Her head cocks to the side as fast as my rapidly beating heart. “What kind of friend do you need me to be right now? Because I can tell you all the reasons calling him would be a horrible idea. But I can also be the friend who cheers for your bravery.”
“I need your gut reaction, Bets. I can’t do this withoutyour support. Because it just might destroy me to do it on my own.”
Our hands clench tighter. “Then, you’ve got it. Call him. Do what you’ve gotta do, and make the bastard pay.”
“Ms. Davenport, your room is available if you’d like me to hold onto your things. Kimber and Betsy will be suited right beside you.”
I nod to Veronica and hand her my purse before hugging my best friend tight. “Hell hath no fury like a daughter scorned,” she whispers in my ear, repeating my chant from earlier.
Nothing about this plan is how I expected things to go. But I have no other choice, and I refuse to leave my mother’s future to chance.
It’s time for my sperm donor to pay.
“Oh, Cove!” Kimber squeals, holding a hand up to Veronica. “I forgot to ask about your date! How did it go?”
“What date?” I question, eyes shifting between my two best friends.
Betsy nudges my side. “She means the double date Cowboy Stetson crashed, only to steal you away for the rest of the night. I told her allllll about it.” Her eyes do this weird shaking thing as her brows lift. Looks really creepy, yet I’m hardly shocked.
“I’m not at all surprised,” I say. “And it was hardly a date. Plus, don’t pretend like you didn’t all but orchestrate the entire thing.”
Why do I suddenly feel a blush rise up my face?
Betsy beams. “Oh, it was definitely a date. And I did nothing of the sort. You made the decision to let him whisk you away all on your own, babe. It may have started with one man, but you finished with another. No pun intended.” She winks, and I want to combust on the spot.
“We got ice cream.”
“Oh my god. You beautiful little hussy. You let Stetson get you off while on a date with another guy? Who in the hell are you?” Kimber gapes.
I cross my arms, getting defensive despite my mind reliving our time together all over again. It was…romantic.
“Oh, don’t listen to her shit,” I tell Kimber. “Oddly enough, or maybe not oddly, he was on his best behavior, which no doubt felt like a red flag at first. I guess I’m used to the toxic.”
“Weird,” they mumble in unison, replicating my initial thoughts on the night.
“I was skeptical, but he proved me wrong. He ordered my favorite ice cream, inhaled his waffle cone, asked me about flying, and walked me to my street. Didn’t even try to come inside. No funny business was performed.”
“Jesus,” Kimber laughs. “Way to make it sound like surgery. Did he scrub in beforehand, too?”
“Aw, he let your independent birdie wings fly,” Betsy coos playfully.
I ignore her because she’s always gotta make shit weird. “No scrubbing was done. It felt…niceto be respected. He listened to what I asked and didn’t argue. I had to hold onto the last bit of dignity I had left and at least see myself home.”
“Sounds like you’ve got the bug, babe.” Betsy’s brows shoot up and down, and I immediately blush. “The looooove bug.”
“Oh my god. She’s blushing! Cove is crushing hard on the cowboy!” Kimber declares.
I feel the beginning of a smile crest my lips, and I can’t rein it in. Not when I think she may be right. I guess I do have what feels like the biggest crush.
A crush.Damn cowboy and his antics to get me alone.
