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“Then why did she say she can’t wait to see you?”
“Not a clue. I saw that message right after you walked out. I’ll text her back and make sure she knows she isn’t invited to the shoot.”
Well, don’t I feel like an ass. “I’m sorry.” I sigh. “She just brings up terrible feelings for me. We can’t trust her, Rhett. She’s going to be a hard limit for me.”
“Babe. At least let me get you naked if we’re going to talk about hard limits.”
I roll my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He curls his hand around my neck, presses his lips to my forehead, and lingers there a few seconds. “And you’re my who, Mo. Always have been.”
“You can’t say that to me right before I leave.”
“I can’t let you leave without saying it.” He presses a kiss to my lips.
Monroe
As promised, that following Wednesday, Rhett and I pull up to his family’s ranch at ten sharp. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make the shoot, but I put out an emergency call to my volunteers and one of them picked up the rest of the day for me.
Thirty minutes later, two vans roll up, followed by a sleek silver BMW. A slew of people pile out of the vans and begin unloading: lighting, cameras, clothing racks, jeans, jeans, and more jeans, and every shade of flannel shirt known to man.
“Do you have to wear all of that?” I whisper.
“God, I hope not. It’s hot as hell out here today. They better pick an outfit and stick with it.” Rhett pulls off his Stetson, wipes the sweat from his forehead, and puts it back on. “We’re still good to go to Houston on Friday?”
“Yup. What time is your appointment?”
“Two o’clock.”
I smile to myself, because I’m keeping a secret—a surprise of sorts—and I can’t wait to tell him. But not today.
I bite my tongue, and we watch patiently as two women and a man climb out of the BMW. One I instantly peg as Jessica. She’s tall, lean, and dressed in a slate gray pencil skirt with matching pumps and white silk blouse. Her hair is pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck, and she looks every bit the business woman. I’m assuming the man is the director or photographer, and last but not least…
“That must be Molly.”
She’s blond and blue-eyed with a tan that rivals Rhett’s. Together they’ll look amazing.
Rhett grunts, but doesn’t say much more than that. I already know he hates that he has to pose with someone he doesn’t know. He hates it even more that I’m here watching.
“It’s fine, Rhett. I’m fine. You’re making this into so much more than it needs to be.”
We’ve come a long way since our who conversation. Both of us know what we want and what we’re working for, and it’s an amazing feeling. He and I have also alternated having dinner at each other’s houses since then. Some nights we eat with his family, other nights with my dad and Sharon, and it was over a plate of steak and potatoes last Sunday that he tried to talk me out of coming to the shoot.
It seems he’s about to try again.
His eyes narrow on mine. “We’ve gone over this, Mo. I don’t think you should be here. This is where shit gets screwed up in relationships. I’ve had several buddies lose their girl because she couldn’t handle seeing him wrapped around another woman.”
“First, I’m not just any girl. Second, I trust you. And third, I’m going to see the ad eventually anyway. This is a photo shoot. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not like you’re going to take her home when it’s all said and done.” I pause. “Right?”
He scrunches his nose. “Hell no.”
I push up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “And that’s why I trust you. Relax. You look way too uptight. I’m here because I want to help.”
Jessica approaches us, her eyes warm and friendly.
“You must be Monroe,” she says, embracing me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She turns to Rhett. “And how are you?” She pulls him in for a hug and air kisses both of his cheeks.
He rolls his eyes as she steps back.
