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Her answering grin made me laugh even harder.
As I spun Haven around on the dance floor, I couldn’t help but notice Nathan—as well as Timberlynn and Lily—watching us. Lily must have joined them after I’d left. Both women wore smiles, and Nathan was shooting me…or Haven, or possibly both of us…daggers.
Haven looked up at me. “Is he watching us?”
“Oh yes, indeed, he is.”
“I know you’re way too old for me, Maverick, but thank you for dancing with me.”
My brows rose. “I’m glad you realize that.”
“You have no idea how many women lust after you.”
That statement caused me to trip.
“Oh, sorry! Did I step on your foot or something?”
“Um, no. You caught me off guard by your, er…by what you said.”
She laughed. “It’s true! My mom was telling her best friend Louise that you’re the hottest man she’s ever seen, and if she was younger, she’d be all over you and teach you a new way to ride.”
“Ahhh…” It was the only sound I could make as I made a mental note to stay away from Haven’s mother.
“And a few months ago, I was working in the school library. I’m an aide in there during fourth period—I love to read, so it’s like a dream come true for me. Anyway, I overheard the librarian, Brandee Norman, talking to one of the English teachers about how you make her all hot and bothered and she wouldkillto have you notice her. I mean, sheisrather pretty, in a book-nerdy kind of way. I think you should ask her out. It sounds like she would for sure have sex with you on the first date.”
I tripped again, and Haven once again apologized but went on.
“She told Ms. Poe, who’s the English teacher she was talking to, that she thinks about you when she’s taking a bath and using something called a water slide? I wasn’t sure what that was, so my friends and I looked it up.”
I closed my eyes and prayed the song would end early. “Haven, I think we’ve gone into an area of conversation that we shouldn’t be having.”
“Oh, right, sorry! Anyway, all the ladies think you’re hot, so you dancing with me just elevated my status. Thank you for that!”
The twinkle in her eye caused me to laugh. “If only I was seventeen again, Haven.”
Her cheeks turned bright red. “That’s so sweet of you, Maverick, and thank you, but I’m totally in love with Nathan. I just needed you to help make him jealous.”
The song ended, and I quickly stepped back. “Good luck with that.”And I’ll be sure to send up some good luck—and a warning—to Nathan.
She bounced on her toes. “Thank you!”
Haven turned and bounded off to rejoin her friends. When I turned to look for Stella, Lily’s grandmother, my eyes caught on none other than Brandee Norman.
Nerdy librarian and friend of Rose’s, hence why she was at the wedding, she was talking to Rose’s mother, Kaylee. I’d met her once when she’d come to the ranch. She was probably a few years older than me and very pretty. Blonde hair swept up in some kind of fancy twist. The glasses she kept pushing up her nose made her even more attractive.
She must have felt my gaze on her because she looked up and our eyes met. A dark flush appeared on her cheeks, and I smiled.
Just go ask her out, Mav. When was the last time you got laid?
When her tongue darted out and ran over her lower lip, the decision was made.
Chapter Three
LILY
June in Montana was one of my favorite times of the year. The nights and mornings were cool, but the day heated to the low eighties and made it perfect to do things outside. However, I liked to ride when it was still cool enough in the morning that my horses didn’t overheat and we could get some good running in. Plus, Aurora was so active early in the morning. Hence her name, which meant goddess of dawn. Ever since birth, she was a spitfire first thing in the morning.
Stepping into the barn, I expected to see Maverick but found Clay instead. He worked mostly for my cousin Blayze, who ran the cattle side of the Shaw Ranch, but would help out my dad if Maverick went on a vacation or needed time off. Both of which were very rare.
