More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“See, that’s the problem, right there.” He leaned forward, his gaze hot as it seared into mine. “I’ve never felt like much of a gentleman where you’re concerned.”
It would never occur to her that the only thing I cared about saving was her.
I wasn’t a liar. I didn’t lie to other people, and I sure as fuck didn’t lie to myself. I knew exactly why I did it. Essie was here. Wherever Essie was, that’s where I wanted to be, too. I just needed a reason.
If I could save only one thing in a fire, it would be Esther Louise Price.
I shook my head. The only thing I couldn’t say no to was Essie Price.
Fucking sundress. That paired with worn-in cowboy boots was my kryptonite. And the woman wearing them? Kryptonite didn’t begin to describe it. I was the tide and she was the moon, pushing and pulling me however she wanted. I wasn’t even mad about it.
“People too scared of living their own lives so they have to come take all the fun out of mine. Why should I have to live my life in a way that makes them feel better about how they live theirs? That can’t possibly be my responsibility.”
She laughed like there was anything funny about her fucking dying, when there sure as hell was not. Fifteen years after the day she almost had, and I still hadn’t fully recovered. I doubted I ever would.
I had never pretended to care. The only thing I had ever pretended with Essie was that I didn’t.
“You used to be my best friend,” she whispered. “Why did you stop?” She could have slid a knife right into my gut and it would have surprised me less. Hurt less, too, probably. The ache of it filled my lungs instead of oxygen. I couldn’t breathe around it.
I needed more coffee. I dragged my hands down my face, shoved my rolling chair back from my desk, and pushed to my feet. Right as Essie walked through the door. Suddenly I was wide awake.
“I think when you find a woman you want to be with for the rest of your life, there’s not much you won’t say yes to if it makes her laugh like that.”
NO. PLEASE GOD NO. STOP WITH THE ‘UNALIVE’. I WILL KMYS.
“Fuck, you’re pretty,” he whispered.
“Because he’s small, honey. He’s so fucking small. And you…you’re bigger than the whole sky.”
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye… you were bigger than the whole sky…
Brax didn’t make me feel like too much. He made me feel like it was enough.
“Hellion, you’ve always been too much for me.” Her face did something awful and she struggled, trying to get away from me without ruining her sweater. But I had her now, and I wasn’t letting go. I lowered my face closer to hers until she had nowhere to look but me. “So I guess I’ll have to become more, so I can be enough for you.”
“I told you, honey. You’re bigger than the whole damn sky. How could I ever hope to hold onto the sky?”
Not everything is a Taylor Swift reference, Hadessah. Get a grip.
There wasn’t a damn thing in this world Essie could ask of me that I wouldn’t give her.
Looking at her made me dizzy in a way the height could never do, stole the air right from my lungs.
But I wasn’t going to do that. I wasn’t going to chase a man down and beg him to care about me.
They were good. Very fucking good. But Essie was better, and I didn’t think it was the fact that I was head-over-heels in love with that woman that made me think so.
God, I was so in love with this woman.
And I’ll tell you something, Essie. You might as well try to hold back the ocean as tell Braxton Hale not to care for you. That man would move mountains for you.”
“There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to you, Essie. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’ll find a way to become enough. It’s not even hard. I’ve been doing it since the day I met you. Whatever you needed, that’s what I became. You needed a barn, I learned how to build one. Your mom needed a lawyer, I made that happen. You stole a horse, so I bought it for you. And you know what? I love my career. I love that damn horse. You’ve made my life better in every possible way. You made me better.”
And you, Braxton Hale, are the love of my life.”
