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Everything she’s saying is nothing I’d normally disagree with.

Hell, I’ve formed most of my identity and worldview from similar experiences that’ve impacted me.

But as unreasonable and dumb as it sounds, it’s different coming from Vivica. It lands harder hearing her talk about how little faith she has in people and life in general.

…because it means she’s not just talking abstract concepts of love and relationships.

She’s talking about me too. She’s confirming we’ve got a built-in expiration date.

Though I know that deep down, it’s a blow to hear it straight from her mouth. It makes my spine twitch and my pulse spike from frustration.

I toss a crumpled napkin on my plate and roll my shoulders as if stretching after a long day. “I should probably head out. Early morning tomorrow—Buck wants us rotating the cattle to the east pasture.”

Vivica tilts her head, frowning slightly. “You sure? It’s still early. We haven’t even listened to Californication yet.”

“Yeah, I’m good. Some other time, alright?” I lean down and press a kiss to her brow. A gesture I’ve never made before but can’t resist. “Thanks for the company, doc.”

If she’s surprised by the forehead kiss, she doesn’t say so. I grab my keys and let myself out before she can see the expression on my face and conclude I’m frustrated.

My usual mask is nowhere to be found.

The drive home is silent on the outside, loud on the inside, thoughts swirling in my head.

Everything ends. Everyone comes and goes.

It’s how life shakes out, and there’s no changing it.

She’s right, echoing what I’ve known from a young age.

But for the first time in my life, I’m left wishing I could be proven wrong.

NINE

Vivica

“Mrs. Donovan told me she’s counted his truck at that woman’s house five times this week alone.”

“The cute young one? From the ranch?”

“Mmhmm. You do the math on that age gap and tell me it isn’t a Mrs. Robinson situation.”

I’m mid-reach for my grocery bags when I overhear the gossipy murmurs in the checkout line.

I glance up and notice the two women behind me whispering back and forth to each other. They’re sneaking looks in my direction, though when our eyes meet and I catch them, they promptly divert their gazes.

Heat crawls up the back of my neck, and a scowl crosses my face.

I snatch my bags off the carousel and storm out the store’s front door. The bell chimes overhead as if alerting them they can carry on with their gossip.

I couldn’t care less what those two think. They’re older than I am and probably bored out of their minds, searching for gossip wherever they find it.

But it is irritating they spoke about me and Rhett as if I’m some desperate older woman preying on a young man who doesn’t know any better.

…as if it’s so scandalous Rhett and I would be involved in any capacity.

This is part of the reason why I wanted to be as discreet as possible. The original reason why I didn’t even want to have our arrangement in the first place.

I have no interest in tying myself to a man, much less a younger man. Small town gossip’s never been a favorite of mine, and I prefer not to be judged.