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Adam watched him go, letting his advice settle. A lot of what the man said tracked. What was the rodeo, but one more thing he’d decided to chase when he felt his life was empty? But then he’d fallen for Faye. She’d fulfilled him in ways that nothing else had.
“Adam! Itisyou. I wasn’t sure you were going to follow through.” Dahlia glanced around. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
He stiffened. “She’s not here.”
She frowned, moving closer to him. Her hand grasped his forearm. “That’s a shame. Is everything okay between you two?” Her voice seemed to change, softening somehow. “Is she upset that you’re here?”
Attempting to step back without drawing too much attention to himself, he nodded. “We’re fine.”
“Really? Because if everything wasfine,she’d be here.” She pouted. “You deserve better, Adam. A guy like you should have the support of a woman who loves you.” She tilted her head as she trailed a finger up his chest. “I heard that she didn’t even want you to sign up.”
His brows furrowed. Either someone had overheard their fight at the shop, or Faye was spreading what had happened between them.
Dahlia leaned in closer, her whispered voice beside his ear giving him chills. “I wouldn’t prevent you from doing something you want to do.Ilearned a long time ago that cowboys can’t be controlled—theyshouldn’tbe.” She pulled back just far enough for him to meet her eyes. Her tongue trailed along her lower lip and her eyes dipped to his mouth. “What do you say? Are you free later?”
Adam froze. This was unexpected, to say the least. He’d thought he’d gotten to know Dahlia well enough before he asked for Faye’s help, but since he’d started spending more time with her, Dahlia had become a stranger. She’d never been this forward before now.
The funny thing was that she was no longer alluring to him. He didn’t see her the same way he saw Faye. He didn’t want any of this.
At that very moment, she stood on her toes, framed his face with her hands and leaned in.
27
Faye
Faye didn’t even know what she was doing here. Today was the busiest day for the rodeo, and the whole place was filled to the brim with people coming for everything from the livestock auction to the competitor events.
A couple collided with her, nearly knocking her over. Despite being out in the open, she felt claustrophobic. She should have just called him or left him a message. That would have been better than surprising him—here—at the rodeo.
Ahhg! She was being way too impulsive.
What did she expect would happen? It’s not like she could just show up and tell him she wanted to work things out. That couldn’t possibly go over well at all.
Faye nearly turned around, but something caught her attention.
Not something.
Someone.
Adam stood about ten yards away.
Seeing him brought back all the emotions she’d thought she had buried. All her misgivings fell away. She could do this. All she needed to tell him was that she’d overreacted. Their relationship was more important than their argument.
She took a step toward him, ready to call out his name, but then she stopped herself.
Dahlia stepped up to Adam. She touched him and leaned in closer to him.
Faye’s stomach churned and her heart turned over. This couldn’t be happening. They’d only been broken up for a couple of weeks. It hadn’t taken him much time at all to move on. And with Dahlia, no less.
It was like watching a train wreck. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. The way Dahlia moved closer made it clear she knew what she was doing. She was confident.
She rose on her toes, and that’s when Faye had to turn around. Her breaths came out in rapid, short spurts, and she charged through the crowd. Emotion burned in the back of her throat. It felt like her heart was trying to claw its way up and out of her body.
Her stomach continued to toss. Faye needed to find a quiet place to get her bearings. She crossed her arms as she ducked behind a taco truck. Faye leaned against the trailer, letting it support her head. Shutting her eyes did nothing to block out what she’d just seen.
If anything proved that she had made a grave mistake, it was the way she felt right now inthismoment. She didn’t want to date anyone else—be with anyone else—but Adam.
She’d been feeling cruddy since their family dinner—like she’d been in limbo. Her heart knew what she wanted. The only thing that made her second-guess where she stood was those feelings of doubt.
