AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His chest shook against me. I lifted my head. “Are you laughing at me?”
He tried to hide his smile. “No. I’m not laughing.”
I tried to get off his lap but he held tight, not allowing me to escape. My futile efforts made him laugh even harder. “Would you stop? I’m not laughing at you.”
I pouted. “Yes, you are.”
His laughter subsided. “Maybe just a little. But only because… only because, woman, you slay me. I have absolute faith in your ability to land on your feet.”
“I’m allowed to feel a little sorry for myself.” I pushed off him, and this time he did let me go, swatting my butt gently as I stood.
“Well, darlin’, you just take that little pity party of yours right on home and wash it right off o’ you. We have us some gettin’ on to be gettin’ on.”
I gently socked him in the arm. “You’re ridiculous, and you’re not a country boy. Stop it with the drawl.”
He stood and held my waist, rocking into me. “But tonight, I’m takin’ my girl dancin’ and that calls for a special kinda country.”
Ignoring his exaggerated twang, I asked quietly, “Am I really your girl?”
His lips pressed against my temple, and my eyes closed. His mouth moved to my ear. “You’ve always been my girl.”
I leaned closer to him, wanting to feel his body wrap around mine.
“Are we moving too fast?”
He chuckled dryly. “We aren’t moving fast enough.”
His easy banter and light-heartedness eased my sadness. “So, I should dress country, tonight?”
“Daisy Dukes and a corset work for me.” His dimpled grin had me aching to be kissed again.
“Are you picking me up on a Harley? Should I expect you in a leather vest and a pair of chaps?” I teased, raising my eyebrows.
His bold laugh reverberated around the office. “No. But if you’re good, I’ll let you ride….”
I cut him off, nearly choking with laughter. “Stop. I’ll be ready to go at eight.”
His eyes turned serious. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
My pace was faster and lighter as I walked back to the office to lock up and get my car.
It felt like years since I had been on a real date. When I paused long enough to think about it, the dates I’d been on had felt like filler. Something to do as I bided time until Jacob came back in my life—not physically, of course, since we live in the same town, but emotionally.
Apply makeup, put on a sexy outfit, blow out my hair—armor complete. Smile, say nice things, flirt, give them a kiss goodnight (maybe more) … and then ghost them. Regretfully, I hadn’t given much thought to how my actions affected the men who had asked me out.
Now, I was ashamed.
How could I apologize when I couldn’t even remember most of their names?
Tonight, all of my primping and styling felt more vulnerable. I wanted Jacob to want me, all of me. I knew we were stumbling through being together, but I wanted to be in it with him, whatever that looked like.
My bootcut western jeans fit snuggly. The belt and oversize buckle were covered in crystals. Just to torture him, I did wear my burgundy corset. I would freeze, of course, but once we were indoors, I knew I would warm up quickly.
I blew out my hair, leaving it to hang long and flowing. In a clumsy attempt to apply fake lashes, I ended up poking myself in the eye so decided to leave them off.
The last rays of sunlight streamed through the sheer linen curtains covering the dormer-style windows. When Mia told me I could stay here, I thought it would just serve as a roof over my head. Now, the worn wool carpet and mismatched furnishings were starting to feel like home. I knew I couldn’t live here forever but for now, it was a perfectly comfortable, homey, bachelorette pad.
