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“I can see that, since your work attire is jeans, boots, and T-shirts. A suit would feel weird.”
Ryan laughed, and I pressed my hand to my chest. God, the way he made my heart flutter should be a sin. I closed my eyes and thought back to last night when he’d called me sweetheart. The last few years, I’d wasted so much energy being angry at Ryan, and I was tired of holding a grudge for a slight he wasn’t even aware of. Krista was right. I needed to admit to myself, and Ryan, how I felt about him…and simply hope he felt the same way.
“What time should I pick you up?” he asked.
I bit down on my lip, suddenly a bit nervous by how bold I was being. I quickly pushed the nerves away. “Let me make reservations, and I’ll text you. Is that okay?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you later on then.”
“See you later.”
After hitting End, I clutched the phone to my chest and drew in a deep breath, closed my eyes and exhaled. “Please don’t destroy my heart, Ryan.”
Chapter Six
RYAN
Staring at myself in the mirror, I debated if what I was about to do was a good idea. It wasn’t like I was worried about what Blayze would think. Hell, he’d already given me his blessings months ago when I’d admitted I had feelings for Morgan. I wasn’t worried about Brock. He knew me well—and that I would never do anything to hurt his daughter.
No, the reason I was terrified was because I knew Morgan Shaw had the power to crush my heart. When I’d woken up earlier that morning with her in my arms, it had felt so goddamn right. She’d fit against me perfectly. And those blue eyes staring back into mine nearly had me confessing how I felt about her. A man could get lost in them if he wasn’t careful.
“Slow. You need to take things slowly,” I said as I looked at my unshaven jaw. Shit. I should have shaved. I’d run out of time, though, and I would be late picking up Morgan if I didn’t get a move on.
“It’s dinner, Ryan. That’s all. Dinner.”
I adjusted my tie and turned on my heels. Grabbing my truck keys, I headed out of my temporary home and down the steps to my truck.
I heard a whistle from the barn area and turned to see my father walking toward me, his hat in his hand while he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Where in the heck are you going all dressed up?”
I smiled. “Dinner at the country club with Morgan.”
His brow rose. “Little Morgan Shaw?”
“Dad, she’s not little anymore.”
He rubbed at the back of his neck with the rag. “No, I guess she isn’t. How does Blayze feel about it?”
“It’s only dinner,” I said as I opened the door of my truck.
“And the fact that you stayed the night with her last night…?” His words trailed off.
I paused and looked back at him. “Means nothing. She was scared and asked me to stay, so I did. She wants to take me to dinner to say thanks for being a good friend.”
My father smiled and looked off in the distance for a moment before he focused back on me. “Son, I don’t often give advice.”
I groaned.
“I almost let your mother go because I was afraid to admit my true feelings for her.”
My brows pulled down. “Dad, it’s complicated.”
He chuckled. “Love is complicated, Ryan.”
“Love?” I asked.
“I’m only saying my best piece of advice for you is to follow your heart. It’s just like with horses.”
Now I was confused. “You’re comparing Morgan to a horse?”
Dad rolled his eyes. “There’s a reason I don’t ever give advice.”
Laughing, I walked over to my father and pulled him in for a quick hug. I slapped his back and said, “Thanks for the advice, Dad. I think.”
As I headed back to my truck, he called out, “You should have shaved! Your mother would be pissed if she saw you unshaven for a date!”
Ignoring him, I lifted my hand and waved as I started the truck and headed down the road toward the gate.
I parked in the back of the store next to Morgan’s car. I wasn’t sure why in the hell I was so nervous. Taking in a calming breath, I got out of the truck and made my way up the outdoor steps to Morgan’s door.
With one more internal reminder to keep it cool, I knocked on the door. When Morgan answered it a few moments later, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. And from the way my mouth opened and closed a dozen or so times, it was clear I had forgotten how to talk.
Morgan smiled brilliantly and motioned for me to come in. I slowly shook my head as I scanned her entire body. She wore a black dress that hugged her to perfection. A slit in the front showed her bare leg up to the middle of her thigh. The bodice was sleeveless and wrapped around her neck like a halter top. A belt cinched her waist, showing off her curvy figure. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore the lightest amount of makeup.
