Page 67 of Stay Wild Darlin’

“I know. I wouldn’t tell you to throw it away unless I thought you were in danger, which you’re not.”

“It’s complicated,” I breathed.

“You’re not the first person this has ever happened to. It doesn’t make you stupid or reckless or anything else you’re telling yourself right now.”

She was quiet for a second, like she was choosing her words.

“You know, I’ve known Dalton a few years now,” she said finally. “He was a fuckboy—no better word for it. Hot, reckless, charming as hell. But flakey. Real good at detaching.”

“That’s so comforting, thanks.”

She smiled. “Let me finish. I’ve noticed the change in him since Cora, since you. He doesn’t disappear anymore. Doesn’t flirt with every breathing woman in a fifty-mile radius.”

My chest tightened.

“You’re both adults. You can handle this like adults. This kind of thing happens. People fall for people. But it doesn’t mean everything’s ruined. You didn’t do anything wrong. You walked in. He . . . clearly had some things to work out.” Her lips twitched. “Loudly.”

I groaned, covering my face again. “Fable.”

“What?” she laughed. “I’m saying—it’s not the end of the world. If there’s something there? Talk to him. If not? You set a boundary and keep the job. You’re allowed to stay.”

Before I could respond, my phone lit up on the coffee table with a sharp ding.

I stared at it like it might explode.

You okay?

My heart squeezed.

I’m at Fable’s.

The little dots appeared right away, then stopped before starting again.

I know. Beau told me.

I shook my head and let out a dry laugh.

“Damn small town,” I muttered.

Fable raised a brow from across the room. “What?”

“Beau already told Dalton I was here.”

She smirked. “He’s nosy. I taught him well.”

My phone buzzed again.

That’s not what I meant.

I stared at the screen for a beat, pulse stuttering.

I didn’t mean to walk in. I heard my name and . . . I haven’t stopped thinking about it.

I hit Send before I could chicken out, heart pounding so loud I could barely hear Fable sipping her wine across from me.

I’m sorry you saw that.

I blinked at the screen, throat tight.