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For my real-life girl gang. Thank you for taking me in and loving me for all that I am. You’ve been my inspiration for the love and friendship between Bryce, Poppy, Anna, and Aurora, and I am forever grateful.
“Our impending doom is completely your fault,” I say, glancing across the truck at Darren. The volunteer firefighter ignores me, his mind somewhere else tonight. Most likely on the messy status of his relationship with his daughter’s mother. It’s tricky territory. “How are you doing?” I ask, softening my tone. “I’m fine.”
“Leave it. This isn’t the first time I’ve been in this position, and it won’t be the fucking last either if I know Sasha.”
Bitch. (sasha not Darren)
Now, don’t mention my sister being distracted again, you fucking dick. I hear enough about her and Garrison from our mother. Don’t need it from you too.” I bark a laugh, offering a completely half-ass sympathetic smile. “You poor thing.” “Fuck off.” “Alright, alright. No more talking about your sister and my best friend. I’m sure they’re sitting at the table lookin’ pretty right now and nothing more,” I say, thickening the drawl in my voice.
I don’t mind the silence, although I much prefer filling it. Talking is my thing, as outgoing as I am. The quiet bores me.
I pull my truck keys from the ignition and step into the night. Once my boots hit the pavement, I reach up to bend the brim of my baseball cap and then readjust the buckle on my belt before chasing after Darren.
I suck back a laugh as I lock onto Poppy and Garrison. Poppy leads him through the simplest dance I’ve ever seen, and he manages to only stumble a few times. The stuffy, arrogant CEO who arrived in Cherry Peak two months ago now is a far cry from the guy I see today, holding his woman like he’s terrified of ever letting her go again.
Goddamn, everywhere I look, happy couples greet me. It’s a kick to a romantic man’s gut.
Avoiding the dance floor, I loop around the outside of it and then stall, my head going empty in a blink. Air whooshes through my ears before everything comes flooding back, creating a pulse in my brain that should hurt but doesn’t. Her. The woman sitting all alone at the table my friends and I always occupy is the prettiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.
don’t stop walking until I’m standing in front of the table, my breaths huffed as I stare down at her in awe. Finally, our eyes lock, and just like that, I know I need to dance with her. Need just a single moment in her presence, with her in my arms, before the moment disappears.
“Hi,” I say, offering her a shaky hand. “Feel like dancing with me?”
“I don’t know how to dance,” she says, the rough rasp in her voice sounding far too natural. I feel the effect of it deep in my gut as it burns hot. “I’m a damn good dancer, darlin’. I promise I won’t let you slip up.” “Promises from a stranger don’t mean much to me.” “So let’s not be strangers. I’ll tell you all about myself while we’re dancin’.”
“A woman like you deserves to dance.” She lifts her brow, staring me down. “A woman like me?” “A woman beautiful enough to make a grown man’s knees shake at the sight of you. To have him tripping over his feet just to get over to you before someone else swoops in.” “Do you even know my name?” she asks. “’Course I do, Aurora.”
She’s Anna’s new employee. The new girl in town that two weeks ago stumbled in out of nowhere. Nobody knows a damn thing about her. But I want to. I’m incredibly fucking curious about her now.
“You’ve drawn a crowd, Johnny,” she whispers, tipping her head back to stare up at me. She’s tall, but the way she still has to crane her head to look at me right now has my pride tripling in size. “You know my name.” “And I was expecting you to be wearing a cowboy hat tonight,” she says. “Disappointed?”
I give Aurora’s hand a squeeze and pull her a hair closer. “Not disappointed. Just surprised,” she says.
can’t keep from smiling again as I wink. “If I had brought it, I’d have already set it on your pretty head.” “And that’s a bad thing? Don’t think I’d look good beneath it?” Oh, we’re flirting now, are we? I’m a downright feral beast beneath my calm exterior. Her perfume drifts up my nose, and I swallow a groan.
“No doubt in my mind you’d look perfect beneath it. But there’s a rule when it comes to a man settin’ his hat on a woman, Aurora.” Her breath hitches. “A rule?” “Curious now?” “You know I am,”
“I’ll tell you the rule if you keep dancing with me,” I barter. “I’m already dancing with you.” “I want more time.” “I wasn’t even going to come tonight. I’ve given you enough of my time.” Her attitude makes me stiffen in my jeans.
“I can beg if you want. I’m not above it. Just don’t make me get down on the floor. It’s filthy,” I tease.
IM GOING FERAL ALREADY
But I’m far from done getting to know Aurora, and I intend on learning all I can. Soon. It would be a crime against the universe not to, after all.
I must have missed the memo where Alberta’s supposed to get hotter than Satan’s asshole in July because I don’t remember it ever being this hot in the past thirty years of my life.
Currently dealing with this rn
“I’m not into either, but you’re not my father, so it’s easier to say no to you.” “Ah, daddy issues,” I mutter. Bryce snags the papers from the desk before I can stop her. “You sound like you have experience with that specific ailment.” “You could say that.” “Wanna elaborate?” “Nope,” I say, popping the p.
The only thing I plan on doing while I’m in Cherry Peak is track down Wanda Rose and learn why she up and left this town before I got here.
worry like crazy about her being over there all on her own. Growing up in a house full of only women has turned me into a bit of a protective beast. I’m not ashamed of it, but I know it drives my sisters nuts.
Any news on your lady love?” she asks bluntly.
“No news. She’s still avoiding me,” I say. “Do you want me to pretend to be shocked?” “Not at all. I do expect you to show me some sympathy, though. Maybe.”
“Sympathy? As if. I think a part of you loves having to chase after her for attention. Personally, I think it’s good for you.” “You think it’s good for me to have to pant after a woman like a dog?” Shrugging a shoulder, she answers, “You’re too used to getting your own way all the time. Aurora is putting you through the wringer, and personally, yes, I think it’s highly entertaining.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit hard to speak with her when she makes an obvious effort to be everywhere but where I am. I’m one more Saturday night without her presence away from marching my ass down to the salon to take matters into my own hands.
I’m just not used to seeing you so knotted up. You’re supposed to be the calm, easygoing one of us. I’m too stressed to pick up your slack.” I narrow my eyes, focusing on her mention of stress. “Is something going on? Outside of the usual?” “No, you overbearing baboon. I’m just saying. If you need advice, I can give you some, but I don’t have a lot of experience with stalker-like men.”
“You’re a brat. I’m not a damn stalker. I don’t even know where she lives.” She gasps, hand to her mouth. “What? Maybe not all hope is lost after all.” “I’m going to get up and leave if you keep picking on me.”
She cocks her head, smirking. “Your hair is getting a bit long.” “I know.” “So, you should get it cut.” “Where is this conversation heading, Daisy?” I ask. She huffs a breath, annoyed. “You said she works at the salon, right? So, go get your hair cut. She has to talk to you then. And if not, well, then I suggest you take the L sooner rather than later.”
Smh johnny
My sneakers hit the floor in quick procession as I round the corner and paste on a smile for the customer I left waiting. Only it isn’t just the customer anymore. Not by a long shot.
“I’ll have to give Daisy a call, Johnny. Thank you so much,” the woman who asked for the shampoo coos, a hand decked out in a long-tipped french manicure sweeping over the exposed skin of his bicep.
both shoulders to expose a hint of his obliques, as well. A goddamn DIY tank top that’s tucked into the front of his tight jeans and behind a belt buckle the size of my fist. His hair is long, wavy, and so, so black. It’s kept half hidden beneath a dark brown cowboy hat instead of a filthy baseball cap like the night we met, and suddenly, all I can think of are the words he spoke into my ear the moment I mentioned it.
Johnny has an uncanny ability to yank you into his orbit without warning, and once you’re there, it’s nearly impossible to break free.
“Good morning, darlin’,” he says, all deep drawl and confidence. “Long time no see.” “Good morning,” I reply stiffly, ignoring his last sentence. “How are you?” “Fine. How are you?”
“Peachy. Got a good night’s sleep and managed to push my start time at the ranch this morning just in time to make my appointment.”
“Appointment?” I ask, confused. “My hair appointment, Rory,” he says cheekily. “You’re here to get your hair cut?” “’Course I am. Did you think I came here just to see you?” Scoffing, I roll my eyes. “No.”
His grin grows at my blunt response, dimples popping. “Well, I won’t lie. It was actually a bit of both.” “You weren’t on the schedule.” “Were you looking for me on there?”
“No, I wasn’t looking for you. It’s my job to know when clients are coming in. You’re not on the schedule.”
“I don’t need coffee. I don’t need anything.” “Come on, sugar. Give me something here.” The nickname has me physically reeling back, revolted. He doesn’t miss my reaction, and the laugh that comes out of him is deep and proud. “Alright. No to that nickname, then,” he notes. “No to any nickname,”
“Don’t touch that! God, you are relentless,” I snap, rushing right back toward him. It’s already clutched in his massive hand, and his eyes are scrunched as he reads the printed white label stuck to the side of it. “A caramel macchiato with extra caramel,” he says before glancing over at me with a smirk. “You got a sweet tooth just like me.” “Don’t be creepy, Johnny,” Anna says, appearing on the left with her shiny black apron on and hair pulled back out of her face. “Come sit down so I can get started. How much am I taking off, anyway? You didn’t mention that in your text.”
For some reason I don’t know, Johnny looks at me like a man who sees something in front of him that keeps drawing him in. Something that has and will have him coming back over and over again, even if I give him nothing in return.
“Alright. Get started on returning that wood, and I’ll give Wade a call. I’d stay away from him for a while afterward if I were you,” I tell them. Jimmy nods, his smile grateful. “You got it, John—” “What the fuck is that pile of shit doin’ in front of my stable?” I flinch at the rough scolding, watching as Jimmy and Rick do the same. Poor Jimmy pales at the sight of a pissed-off Wade Steele storming our way.
“I’m not payin’ you what I am for fuck-ups, Rick. Order the proper shit, and then get this the fuck done before you’re out here workin’ in minus fifty-degree weather with snow up to your ass crack,” Wade snaps. “Or I’m kickin’ you off my land and bringin’ in someone else to do what you couldn’t.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead.” “Typical bitter old man response.” “I ain’t bitter, Johnny.” “No?” I look over at him, arching a brow as we get closer and closer to the house. “Fine. Not bitter. Just plain old grumpy.” “You’re goin’ to wind up neck-deep in cow shit today if you don’t quit pissin’ me off,” he warns, but there’s no venom there. “Don’t tease me with a good time, Wade.”
tip my chin and pat my back pocket, confirming my gloves are still there. “Sounds good. Tell Eliza I’ll see her at lunch.” “Yeah. And try not to make a habit of changin’ your schedule so you can fit in the time to bug that poor woman in town. You’ll set a precedent for the others.” I chuckle, flashing him a bashful grin. “I don’t have a damn clue what you’re talking about.” He huffs a breath and continues toward the main house, leaving me behind before he calls over his shoulder, “Keep it that way, boy.”
“And how have you been doing, sweetie?” an older, raspier voice asks. The woman sitting in the leather chair in front of Anna is too familiar not to recognize. I’ve only met Eliza Steele briefly, but she’s unforgettable.
“I’m good,” I tell Eliza. A thin eyebrow jumps with disbelief. “I’m all ears, my love. How is an old woman supposed to stay entertained during a haircut if there’s no gossip?”
