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Payton turns around, and he’s smiling so wide it’s contagious. I move forward, and he wraps his arm around me. “This would’ve never happened without you.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks as his fingers slide against my bare skin. I place my arm around the backside of his waist as we look around in awe.
“All you, Payton. I wouldn’t want to go on this journey with anyone else.”
He slightly squeezes me. “I couldn’t agree more.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
PAYTON
ONE WEEK LATER
As I walk away from the water trough, I try to adjust the loose-fitting boxers I’m wearing today. Nothing like having my balls tap against my leg with every step I take. Kaitlyn’s lucky she’s my best friend because these are uncomfortable as fuck.
“You’re still walkin’ funny,” Knox mocks as soon as I enter the barn.
“Shut the hell up,” I mutter, adjusting the material in my jeans. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to wearing them. I know I’m not the only one who’s making sacrifices. Kaitlyn’s been eating like an athlete now by adding more vegetables and protein to her diet. She’s just as strict with herself as she is with me, which I respect.
After mucking out the stalls and leading several horse couples to their free-roam pastures, I take my lunch break. I grab my bag from the fridge, then warm up my large bowl of lima beans with chunks of bacon.
Another one of Kaitlyn’s ideas.
Kane looks at me over his shoulder. “What is that gross smell?”
“Just some legumes.”
His face wrinkles. “Smells like dog food. Did Maize cook that?”
Laughter escapes me. “No, but I’ll be sure to give your sister your compliments.”
“Jesus, Payton. You don’t have to eat that shit when she’s not around. She’ll never know.”
The microwave beeps, and I stir the beans, then put it back in for twenty more seconds.
“Smells like a punishment.”
“It’s actually pretty good,” I admit.
He barks out a laugh. “Doubt that.” Once he grabs what he needs, he leaves.
I sit at the small table we’ve got set up in the break room. I take the lid off the spinach salad and set the giant bag of Brazilian nuts on the table.
Once I’ve finished half of my beans, Knox walks in. “What stinks?”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up.”
“Smells like baby shit.” He stands over me and glances in my bowl. “Looks like it too.”
“You’d know,” I quip.
Reaching forward, he takes several nuts out of the bag and pops them in his mouth. “Damn. These are so good.”
“I wouldn’t eat too many of those,” I warn.
“You’ve got the supersize bag. Don’t be greedy.” He takes a few more, then shouts over his shoulder. “Kane! He brought those weird nuts again!”
Seconds later, Kane crowds the table and fills up his palm.
