Page 56 of The One Who Saw Her: Boone

"Don't get tied up on their account, women just can't help themselves around the Callahan brothers. They sit down—women lined up. They talk—women listen. They fart—a woman says excuse you. It's like some bizarre magnetic force that they were born with that comes from their grandaddy. Even after he married a foreigner, women still adjusted their cardigans and took notice when he came into town."

Vivi laughed at the idea of any woman trying to one-up Lady Rea.

"Last week you were arguing about fence posts, and now you're acting like you're on Farmer Takes a Wife,'" Jo said.

"Not anymore. I might have been a pushover once upon a time, but I refuse to stand in line."

"There is no line for you," Jo assured her. "The man wants you. See how he's listening to Cheryl? Smiling and nodding at the right moments? He's just doing what his mom taught him, not because he's interested but because he was raised right."

"Girl's speaking the truth," Dottie said, setting down the round of drinks. "Look over there and see how he keeps frowning at Wyatt."

"Who's Wyatt?"

"Oh honey, Wyatt was Boone's biggest competition back in his rodeo days. Wyatt is tall, dreamy and loaded, so turn around and smile at him."

Vivi did and, my oh my, as if on cue, the rodeo star flashed her a smile that was heartthrob-worthy. Not that her heart—or any other part of her for that matter—throbbed.

Boone took a sip of beer and over the rim of his glass sent Wyatt a hard look that would have had a smart man running. Only Wyatt wasn't intimidated because he sent Vivi a wink.

"Oh my god, he winked at me."

"Of course he did," Dottie said. "The fact that you sound so surprised tells us just how much you need to approach Boone."

"I suck at this."

"No, you're just out of practice," Jo said, brutally matter-of-fact. "You've spent your whole adult life dating boys who don't know what to do with a woman. It's time you upgraded to an actual man."

Oof. Direct hit. Vivi winced.

"It was a compliment," Jo added, which did absolutely nothing to soften the blow.

Dottie jabbed a finger toward the mirror behind the bar. "Look at yourself. You are a woman with womanly needs. Nothing wrong with two consenting adults clocking in for some good, old-fashioned extracurriculars, feet-to-Jesus style."

"Boone’s sexy as hell," Jo said, lifting a finger like she was about to preach the gospel. "Smells like a sin I'd commit twice and, most importantly, he wants you. Do you know the gift that is? You, New York, need an adult-level, back-arching, toe-curling reset. No commitment, no oversharing, no heartbreak. Just sweat and serotonin."

"You make it sound so easy," Vivi muttered. "I'm an emotional person. I cry at videos of dogs being reunited with their owners."

"Then take back the control," Dottie said, squeezing her hand. "You came to Bridlewood to rediscover yourself and have some fun. Well, surprise, your fun has arrived. And it's staring at you from across the room like you're the last woman standing on earth."

"Just look at him," Jo whispered.

Vivi did and swallowed hard. Her adventure looked deliciously dangerous and danger was looking right back at her.

Boone stood there all muscle and sun-worn edges, and the shadow of his hat cutting across his face, his eyes barely visible but she could make out the intensity in his stare. She felt it clear down to her core. She pressed her thighs together, but it only made the throbbing worse.

"Do you think Boone's over there feeling guilty because he's eyeing you like he wants you naked except for the boots?" Jo asked.

"No.”

“Then what are you going to do about it?” Jo asked.

“Tonight, I'm taking a small detour on my grand adventure. Tomorrow, I'll get back on track."

Dottie blinked three times, suspicious. "So the love trap is a go?"

"Not love trap." Love implied longevity and she had plans that reached far beyond Bridlewood's zip code. "A sex trap."

"A sex trap?" Dottie sputtered. "Is that like one of those big-city snipe hunts?"