Page 22 of Bride ’N Boots

“Through there,” he said, pointing. “The hand towel is fresh, so feel free to use it.”

I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

Yikes.

My skin was blotchy and my makeup was running. I looked wilted. And the pins in my hair were making my head hurt.

I scrubbed my face and took down my hair, running my fingers through the curls. I breathed a sigh of relief when I began to look like myself again. Makeup was fun, but when it was caked on for a photoshoot it was an entirely differently story.

I opened the bathroom door. Stratton was in the kitchen, washing shot glasses.

“Can I help?” I asked.

“Nope. Nothing to do. Take a load off.”

I lowered myself to the couch and looked up at the cabin ceiling. Lodge pole pine. Stratton said he was renting the cabin, but he looked like the type who could’ve built it by hand.

“Jesus,” Stratton muttered.

My eyes went to him. “What?”

He was standing in the kitchen, holding the clean glasses and staring at me.

“Everything okay?” I asked in curiosity.

“Yep.” He sighed and came toward me. “I just wasn’t prepared.”

“For what?”

“You. Without makeup. And your hair down.”

“Ah, a jump scare, huh?” I teased.

He shook his head slowly and set the glasses down onto the coffee table. “No. I just realized that’s how you’ll look first thing in the morning. And I like it.”

My eyes widened.

He cracked the bottle of whiskey and poured two shots. He handed me one.

“Wait, what time is it?” I asked.

He looked at the clock on the microwave. “1:57.”

“Can we wait three more minutes until 2?”

“Why?”

“Because I can deal with drinking at 2. I never drink this early. This is a one off. At least if it’s 2 or later it feels like it’s okay.”

He smiled slowly. “You’re kooky. I like that.”

I settled back against the couch. “You can sit, you know.”

“Can I? Thanks.” He arched a brow and took the spot on the couch next to me, leaving a decent sized space between us.

“Before we start drinking, I have to know . . .” he began.

“Yeah?”