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"It's been a lot of years since I watched you get ready for a date. I forgot how much I missed it," she says.

I shrug, trying to act like it's not a big deal. "It's just dinner."

"Mm-hmm." She arches her eyebrows.

A loud bang raps on the door.

My pulse skyrockets. I turn.

Mama warns, "Be careful, Lainey."

I freeze. "Mama, Jagger isn't going to hurt me."

Her eyes dart between Charlie and me. "Just don't go too fast. You have to think about your daughter."

"Meaning?"

"Hello?" Jagger hollers from the living room.

"Coming," I reply, then lower my voice. "Stop worrying." I lean down and kiss Charlie, then brush past them, my stomach flipping faster. I go down the hall, turn the corner, and freeze. My heart pounds hard against my chest cavity.

Jagger's in a long-sleeved, burnt-orange, knit shirt. He has his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and his jeans look new. His boots look freshly polished.

It's not fair. He's distractingly gorgeous, and he whistles, his eyes darting down my body, giving me the urge to run back into my bedroom.

"Looking good, Lainey."

My face heats. "Thanks. You look nice, too."

He adds, "You're beautiful. Really beautiful."

My cheeks turn to fire. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

Mama clears her throat behind me.

"Time to go," I chirp, not wanting Mama to spoil my night out.

"Hey, peanut," Jagger coos, brushing his knuckle gently against her cheek. "You be good for your grandmas tonight."

Mama's cheeks turn the same color as mine, like she hadn't quite processed that she's not the only grandma anymore. A flicker of worry crosses her face before she smooths it back into composure.

"Let's get you both over to the main house," Jagger says, glancing at his watch. "Dinner's almost ready. Mom's cooked way too much like always."

Mama doesn't say anything. She puts on her coat.

I put Charlie's hat over her head. Then I wrap her in a thick blanket.

Jagger picks up the diaper bag and offers Mama his arm.

She hesitates, then takes it.

Jagger holds his other arm out for me, and the four of us step into the cold. We quickly stroll to the main house. It's loud when we step inside.

A woman with dark hair and another cowboy step closer. She holds out her hand. "I'm Willow, Jagger's other sister. This is his best friend and my husband, Wyatt."

"Nice to meet you." I shake both their hands.

Paisley swoops in and reaches for Charlie. "Can I hold her first, please?"