I want to stay right here—watching her smile like that, watching Iris melt into her arms like she belongs there.
“Training going okay?” I ask, clearing my throat and forcing myself to sound casual.
She looks up at me, still cradling the puppy. “I think she’s getting the hang of it. She hasn’t tried to chew my boots in two whole days, so…progress.”
I huff out a breathy laugh. “Good.”
She grins, and for a second, it’s easy to forget the complicated mess.
We’re just two people standing in the glow of the setting sun, pretending things are simple.
But they’re not.
“You and Lydia going to Lucky’s later?”
She pauses. “Not sure. We haven’t talked about it yet.”
“Where you headed in such a rush?”
“You don’t know?”
The way she says it sets me on edge.
“What don’t I know?”
She studies me, eyes slowly sweeping over my face. When she registers I’m not playing dumb, her smile shifts—just slightly.
“Wow. I figured mynot-boyfriendwould already know all about my date tonight. You know…since peopletalkand all.”
Adate.
My stomach twists.
No way it’s someone from the ranch. Dad’s rule is known and respected. And if it’s someone from town—when the fuck would she have even met them? I make her schedule. I know she has no free time.
“Haven’t heard anything about it. Must not be worth talking about.”
“Or…maybe people just aren’t as chatty as you think.”
Then she turns and walks off toward the main house.
To get ready for her date.
With someone who isn’t me.
CHAPTER TEN
SADIE
Myhandsareshakingas I yank open the door to the lodge.
People talk.
Fuck him and fuck whatever weird thing I thought was between us.
I struggle to take in a deep breath, my eyes bouncing from face to face until they finally find Lane sitting up at the bar talking to Lydia, one elbow propped casually against the counter.
My heart is still pounding as I slip into the open seat beside him, the weight of Wesley’s words pressing against my ribs.
