Page 41 of Saltwater Cowboy

I slumped deeper into the couch, closing my eyes. “This is going to be hell on earth.”

“Come on,” Blythe said, nudging me. “It’s just one guy. You’re a grown woman. You can handle it. You’ve handled worse.”

I let out a sigh, unsure whether I believed her or not. I’m over here trying to move on from the worst day of my life, and seeing Wells was a sharp reminder of what happened the morning before his massive body crammed into the airplane seat next to me.

“Hey, Bee, I’m leavin’!” His deep drawl cut through the air. Wells stepped into view, his presence as undeniable as the evening itself.

“Oh, hey, Sunshine. Didn’t expect to see your smiling face again today.”

That was it. If he called me Sunshine one more time, I was seriously considering decking him.

“I didn’t want to see you again,” I shot back.

He placed a hand over his heart, his face a picture of feigned injury. “Harsh.”

Wells shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Anyways, I’m heading out.” He placed a hand gently on Blythe’s stomach. “See you soon, little dude.” Wrapping Blythe in a warm hug, he added, “Is there anything I can bring for the party next weekend?”

Blythe thought for a moment before shaking her head. “I don’t think so.”

“If something comes to mind, just shoot me a text.”

“I appreciate it.”

He turned to me, a sly grin spreading across his face. “See you next Saturday, Sunshine.”

With a light pat on my shoulder, his touch sent an involuntary shockwave through me—a jolt of repulsion that was anything but pleasant.

Wren’s birthday party was next weekend. There went my plan to dodge the Orange Skittles aficionado.

The last week flew by. Between picking up extra shifts at the Coastal Cup and helping out at Sea Reads, the days blended together in a whirlwind. I couldn’t remember the last time the days moved so fast—certainly not when Blythe and I were stuck in that drab little accounting department, counting down the minutes until we go free ourselves from the confines of those suffocating walls.

I set an alarm early to help Charlie and Blythe set up for Wren’s birthday. By the time I made my way to the backyard, it was already buzzing with activity. Wren and Marsh were running around. Charlie was hanging up the string lights. Blythe was arranging the tables, her hands expertly folding napkins with a kind of grace that made everything look effortlessly perfect.

“Hey,” Blythe called, flashing a smile as she straightened a centerpiece. “We’re about to start on the balloons.”

I jumped in to help, tying ribbons and arranging clusters of colorful balloons, all while trying to dodge the growing tension in my chest.

The weather was perfect—sunshine spilled across the sky without a cloud in sight. The kind of day that made you feel like everything was about to fall into place.

Except it wasn’t. Wells just pulled into the driveway and was walking towards us. He was dressed casually, but somehow it still looked like he’d just stepped off the farm. A white t-shirt peeked out from beneath a navy button-down, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his forearms. His cowboy hat was nowhere to be seen; instead, he wore a Coastal Cup baseball cap.

“Looks like you’re all set,” he called out, his voice warm and teasing as he got closer, three large boxes—undoubtedly gifts for Wren—in his arms.

I forced my attention back to the balloons I was adjusting, pretending I didn’t notice the way his eyes lingered on me, like he had something more to say but was waiting for me to crack first.

“We’re getting there,” Blythe said, offering him a smile. “You’re just in time to help with the cake.”

Wells grinned. “I can’t let anyone mess that up.”

Charlie and Wells went into the house and returned carefully carrying the box with the sheet cake to the table.

“That was a two-man job?” I asked incredulously.

“Your niece would murder me in my sleep if I dropped this cake.” Charlie quipped.

Wells went over to help Blythe with a banner and I stood there with Charlie.

“Need help with anything else?” I asked, trying to sound casual as I finished up a cluster of balloons.