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“What are your plans tonight, Aria?” Savannah asks, looking over her sunglasses at me.
“Probably just a movie and bed.” I shrug. “Nothing exciting.”
“Come over here. Quinn is coming after she’s dropped the guys off. I’m ordering pizza.”
“Okay. If you’re sure?”
“Of course I’m sure,” she says, waving her arm.
“What about Lib? Is she coming too?”
She shakes her head. “I asked her, but she’s exhausted. She said she has a date with a bubble bath and her Kindle.”
“Sounds like Lib,” I tell her, chuckling. I watch Jack stand and make his way to the edge of the pool as Jacob notices we’re back.
Savannah sits up and leans across to me. “You do know you have grass in your hair, right?” She smirks at me as I feel heat travel up my neck and over my cheeks. Reaching over, she plucks a few strands of grass from my hair, tossing them behind her. “I want to know all the details tonight!” Before I can respond, Jack comes to stand in front of me with a wet Jacob wrapped in a towel.
“Can you take him, babe, while I fetch his clothes from inside?” My heart stutters when he calls me babe, and I hold out my arms.
“Come here, little man.” My eyes flick to Savannah, who raises her eyebrows and grins.
“All the details,” she mouths, and I roll my eyes, a smile tugging on my lips.
Pulling Jacob against me, he snuggles into my chest, his head dropping onto my shoulder. “I think he’ll sleep well tonight. You’ve worn him out,” I tell Josh as he climbs out of the pool with Hope.
“I think I will too! I’m knackered!” He leans over Savannah, kissing her on the lips. She’s taken her sunglasses off and her eyes track all over Josh. I think they’re more in love now than ever, if that’s even possible. I’m a little jealous watching them. I know I can’t have anything remotely similar with Jack, and that makes me sad.
Jack returns a few minutes later with Jacob’s clothes and a clean diaper. “I think he’s fallen asleep,” I whisper, dropping a kiss on his damp hair. “I can walk him back to the house and come back for Marble?”
“You don’t need to do that. I’ll carry him,” Jack says, and I nod as he tosses the clothes on the lounger and reaches for Jacob. “I’d better get this little guy home. Thanks for watching him this afternoon.” Once Jack has Jacob in his arms, I grab the clothes and diaper from next to me and stand up.
“Anytime. Hope’s loved having someone to play with,” Savannah assures him. “He’s had something to eat too.” Jack smiles gratefully at her.
“I’ll catch you in a bit, man,” Josh says to Jack as he scoops Hope up. “Brody and Josh are meeting us at the ranch house at eight. Quinn is giving us a ride to the Brass Hall.” Jack nods and waves as Josh carries Hope inside.
“Come over whenever you’re ready, Aria. Have a good night, Jack.”
Jack waves over his shoulder and we make our way out of the side gate, coming around to where Marble and Titan are tied up.
“Are you riding back?” he asks.
“I think I’ll walk them back. It’ll be easier.” He nods and watches as I untie both horses. Walking slowly back to the house, we’re both quiet and it feels a little awkward. When I can’t take the silence any longer, I make small talk. “The Brass Hall won’t know what’s hit it when all you guys turn up tonight.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, confusion lacing his voice.
“Four hot cowboys? The women will be falling over themselves.” I laugh, but it’s a cover for how bad I feel at the thought of anyone hitting on him. It’s not like we’re dating; he’s free to do what he wants.
“I’m pretty sure there will only be three cowboys, babe. Three very attached cowboys.”
I shrug. “Maybe. Once they hear your British accent though, you’ll be fighting them off.”
He bursts out laughing. “I doubt it.”
We’ve arrived back at the entrance to the stables, and Colt, one of the ranch hands, takes both reins off me, leading Marble and Titan inside. With Jack’s spare arm, he pulls me to his side, his hand snaking around me. “Plus, there’s this girl I’m casually seeing so… I’m good.” He leans his head down to me and brushes his lips against mine. I can’t help but do a little imaginary dance knowing he’s not going out to pick anyone up, not that I thought he would go looking. He’s gorgeous though, and his accent only adds to his appeal. Jacob stirs, and he squeezes my waist before dropping his arm.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” he says quietly as Jacob lifts his head. “Did you have fun with Hope?”
He nods and yawns before looking around. “Horses?” Jacob asks as he realizes we’re outside the stables.
