Page 95 of One Wild Chance

“We were just talking,” I say.

She gasps in delight. “I knew it! You did hate-kiss him!”

I shake my head. “I didn’t say that.”

She points her spoon at the screen. “You didn’t have to. You’re blushing,” she says with a laugh. “And how was it?”

“It went…surprisingly well.” I chew my lip. The date had gone better than I expected. He wasn’t supposed to be thoughtful and a good listener, and I definitely didn’t expect to be charmed by him. And yet. “But it was also way too soon.”

Her face falls. “You didn’t tell him that, did you?”

“Yes, after he picked me up for the market this morning. He even made me coffee.” I shake my head, remembering. “With oat milk, Larissa!”

“Aww,” she says, putting a hand to her heart. “He must really like you.”

“I think so? But I told him we shouldn’t date,” I say. “Professional boundaries and all that. And then he offered me an equal share of Wildflower Weddings.”

“Wait.” She stops eating and stares at me. “He gave you the barn? The one that’s been in his family for four generations?”

Guilt claws at my chest when I think about it. “Basically. Although not officially,” I clarify, turning down the farm lane. “He hasn’t gotten permission from his brothers yet, and there are tons of legal details to work out, not to mention financial ones. But he offered me half of Wildflower Weddings, including the barn.”

“Just a second.” She tilts her head. “You said yes to the barn, but turned him down for another date?”

“I didn’t turn him down, exactly. More like put him off from rushing into things,” I say. I can tell from Larissa’s furrowed brow that she doesn’t approve. “We need to take things slow.”

“Are you crazy?” Her spoon clatters to the kitchen counter. “You can’t hate-kiss a man and then take things slow!”

“Well, that’s what I need to do, regardless of what I want,” I say plainly. “We both have too much at stake. You know my feelings about my parents’ relationship.”

“I know, but, Summer, you’re not like your mom. And he’s nothing like your dad!”

“Then he should have no problem with our agreement.” Even if I might have a problem with it. Kissing Jaxon was a life-changing experience. The thought of reining myself in around him now feels like volunteering for a torture experiment.

“I even told my mom about him today,” I add.

Her eyes widen. “Did she remember him?”

“She remembered he played hockey,” I say. “Of course, by tomorrow, she might not. But today was a good day.”

I stayed longer than usual at Golden Haven, mostly because Mom was in a good mood—more talkative than normal, and she had a spark in her eyes. That happens less and less these days.

“I still don’t believe it.” Larissa shakes her head. “The man gave you everything you wanted, and then you gave him the 'friends’ speech?”

“It wasn’t like that.” I laugh. “I was being practical.”

She rolls her eyes. “Being practical is dumb. You should’ve thrown yourself at him and kissed the lips right off his face.”

I grimace. “That sounds painful.”

“You know what I mean,” she says, waving a hand. “And how do you take things slow anyway? Or is this just you avoiding your feelings?”

I glance away from the screen as I park the truck in front of the old barn. I don’t want her to see my face and know she’s partially right. “I think I just need proof.”

“Proof of what?” she nearly shrieks. “The man gave you a barn. What more proof do you want?”

I look out the window at the enormous, red building in front of me. “The barn is certainly a perk.”

“It’s a grand gesture!” she squeals.