I sighed, picking up Penn. I wasn’t sure about that, but she needed to stop dating these fucking douchebags.
“Come on, princess, let’s get you to bed.” Penn wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder, releasing a big yawn.
After brushing her teeth and changing her into pajamas, I lay down with her in the bedroom that was to be hers while I was away.
“Daddy?” she asked through a yawn, her voice quiet and sleepy.
“Yes, Penn?”
“Can I see the horsies tomorrow?”
I blew out an exhale. It was killing me to have to be away from her when she needed me the most.
“You can see them every day from now on,” I told her, leaning down to kiss her forehead. I breathed in her sweet scent, trying to memorize it, imprint it on my soul until I could hold her again.
My chest squeezed, wishing none of this was our reality.
10
lina
Luke, the bartender from Joseph, pulled his SUV up to the big house, the headlights cutting across the driveway. As if he heard the sound of the motor, a figure stepped out from the fifth wheel that was now hooked up to his Dodge Ram. The lights illuminated him as he stood there like a hulking, domineering shadow.Reed.
Of course!I heaved a sigh before turning to Luke in my seat, plastering a smile on my face. “I had a great time tonight. Thank you for the drink.”
Luke put his car in park. The guy was cute, I’ll give him that. Tousled hair and only a shadow of scruff along his square jaw. He had dimples on either side of his mouth, and it turned out he had a witty sense of humor that had me in stitches all night as we sipped drinks at The Rooster.
“I’m glad I reached out when I got into town.” He turned toward me and stretched to rest his hand on my headrest, his dimples deepening with a smile. He had a great smile.
My eyes flicked back to Reed, who stood in the dark, his arms across his chest, watching us like an overbearing father. Irritation skittered beneath my skin like a thousand little bugs.
Luke followed my gaze before looking back at me. “Seems like we have an audience. Brother?”
I shook my head against the seat. “Ignore him.” I reached out, resting my hand on his cheek.
Luke’s eyes heated, and his tongue flicked out across his lip in anticipation.
“Thanks for the date.” I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his. They were plush and soft, which didn’t surprise me because the guy applied ChapStick as if it were part of his personality.
He smiled into the kiss, but he didn’t deepen it, pulling away. It was a nice kiss, but it didn’t heat my veins.
“I’ll tell my buddies about your suggestion to hike Thomas Rock,” he told me.
I grabbed my purse, putting it over my shoulder before opening the door. “You won’t regret it. The views are incredible when you get to the top.”
“Not sure I’d regret much concerning you.” He flashed a flirty smile. “Can I text you?”
I nodded. I wouldn’t mind a second date. “I had fun. See ya, Luke.”
“Bye, Lina,” he said, getting ready to put his car in gear.
I hopped out, closing the door behind me. Stepping away from the SUV, I stood in the headlights to wave goodbye. My back was to Reed, and I could almost feel the heat of his eyes. I continued to wave as Luke backed out of the driveway and down the gravel road.
Reed huffed behind me. “Cowboy killer,” he murmured softly.
I spun around to face him with a glare. His arms were crossed, his face cast in shadows, but his eyes looked like two smoldering pieces of coal burning into me.
“Except he isn’t a cowboy.” I gave him my most evil smirk before turning away to walk toward the quiet house. My feet were killing me in these heels. “He’s a bartender.”
