Chapter 3

Ihold the spare key in my hand like it’s a golden ticket. Kinsley’s words, her knowing when two people should be together as she glanced between Remi and me felt like a sign.

She knows, and it was the nudge I needed.

I drop the key into my pocket and cross the room to Christine. She's laughing with one of the ranch hands named Dustin so I give her space. When he finally walks away, I meet up with her and grin.

”There you are,” she says.

”Sorry about that. Got caught up back there.” A new song begins, and she sways to the beat. ”Would you like to dance?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she says, and we move to the middle of the barn.

I place a hand on Christine's hip and we two-step in a clockwise pattern. There are so many wandering eyes. I even catch my girl staring from across the way.

“Is Dustin single?” Christine asks.

I chuckle. “I’m not sure. I thought you weren’t interested in dating.”

She snickers. “Mainly I’m not interested in dating you. I don’t date men who are smarter than me. Ever.”

I burst into laughter. “Why?”

“Because all of my exes were.”

“Ah. Well, hate to break it to you, but some of the smartest men I’ve ever met were cowboys. Hard ones, too. The kind who still do week-long cattle drives during branding season. I wouldn’t underestimate any of them. They might have shitty grammar but they’re smart as a whip.”

She smiles at Dustin across the room. “There’s just something about him that I like.”

“You should go for it.”

Beckett and Summer dance close to us.

“Who’s this?” Beckett asks. I can tell he’s had a lot to drink, but Summer is stone-cold sober. Sometimes, when Beckett drinks, he gets loud; it’s a dead giveaway he’s heading straight to Wastedville. When that happens, we get the asshole version of him or the prankster.

“This is Christine,” I say, and he holds out his hand to shake hers. ”She's new to town. Moved into Colt’s house a few weeks ago.”

“Hi, Christine. Nice to meet ya. This is my wife, Summer. Hope my best friend is showing you a good time and treatin” you well,” Beckett offers.

Summer smiles and gives her a nod before glancing at me.

Christine laughs. “Lovely to meet you both. Beautiful wedding. I’ve had a great time so far. Congratulations on the marriage. You’re perfect together.”

“Glad to hear it. And thanks,” Beckett says, grinning at Summer. His dad cuts into their dance and steals his bride. Beckett finds his way to the beer garden. When the song ends, Christine excuses herself, and I join my best friend.

“This is amazing,” he says. His smile doesn’t falter.

“It is. I think it’s proof dreams can come true.”

When we”re handed beers, we stand off to the side. Beckett’s focused on Summer, who”s now dancing with Harrison, who”s spinning her around.

He glances at me. “You know, you should think about moving in with Remi.”

I nearly choke on my beer. “Excuse me?”

”She could use a roommate and someone around who’s empathetic,” he says.

”We work two different schedules.”

He meets my eyes and we hold a silent conversation. It feels like a push.

“This is a joke,” I say, not believing it. I laugh, unable to hold it in. I asked for a sign and tonight I got two.

“Harrison is paying half the rent until Remi finds a replacement, and I know she’s not searching. He needs to save money for a house. He has husband responsibilities now.”

“Damn,” I say, believing I might have the best luck in the world. However, it shouldn’t be this easy, not considering I already have the key burning a hole in my pocket. So, I try to play it cool.

”I’m not convinced she’ll go for it.”

I find Remi across the room chatting with Haley. A smile plays on her lips as she glances at me.

“I’m gonna talk to her for you,” Beckett says. “Right now.”

“Beckett,” I whisper, not wanting him to draw any unnecessary attention. When he's confrontational like this, it never ends well. But it’s too late, though; he’s already across the barn, giving zero fucks as he approaches her. I keep my feet planted, refusing to touch this with a ten-foot pole, but she does look shocked when he gets close.

If there's one thing I”ve learned about Remi, she can handle herself—especially when it comes to her brothers.

Beckett places a hand on her shoulder. He says something, and her eyes dart toward me. She's as confused as me. Remi”s mouth opens, and she shakes her head. Beckett turns and points in my direction, and Remi huffs, making her way across to me.

She grabs my arm and leads me outside. The music leaks from the barn as she moves me around the back, giving us much needed privacy.

“I thought he was about to confront me about us. Shit,” she whispers. ”I didn’t expect him to say that.”

“I didn’t either,” I tell her. ”I guess whatever you said to Beckett the other day worked.”

She smirks, taking a step forward, pushing my back against the cool metal. ”I’m supposed to convince you to move in with me right now. My brother’s orders.”

I grab her hip, tilting my head at her as sparks fly. ”Hmm. I think you’ve had too much to drink. We know how tipsy Remi is.”

My eyes darken as I stare at her.

“She gives no fucks,” Remi states, as I lick my lips, needing to kiss her.

“Convince me then.”

The moonlight is bright enough for me to see her staring up at me with a sparkle in her eye.

”Hmm. Maybe I’ll beg,” she says, grabbing my tie with her fist.

“Don’t tempt me with a good fucking time, Valentine,” I mutter.

The sweet scent of her perfume encapsulates me. We should”ve built an unscalable wall with our boundaries because, after a few drinks, they’re gone.

Before we’re lost in the moment, she opens her mouth to speak. “We?—”

“What are you doing?” Harrison barks with his arms crossed over his chest. He glares at me as Remi takes a step back. I straighten my stance, shoving my hands into my pockets, then I adjust my tie.

I give Harrison a cold look as a dangerous expression meets his face. He saw us, and there’s no denying it.

“Considering Beckett volunteered his best friend to be my roommate, we’re discussing it,” Remi snaps, giving him her fierce attitude. “Don’t you have someone else to haunt?”

“Being your what?” Harrison’s brows furrow. “Absolutely not. Beckett is drunk out of his mind right now, and you’re taking advantage of that. Both of you are.”

She turns her entire body toward her brother and pokes her finger into his upper chest. “You don’t control me, especially after everything I’ve done for you. This benefits you, too.”

“This is not fucking happening,” he says in a threatening tone.

Remi stares him down. “Back off, Harrison. My life doesn’t concern you, okay? I’m a big girl with big girl responsibilities and problems.”

He glares at me. There’s anger behind his gaze, a silent threat that’s heard loud and clear.

Grace comes outside and slides her arm into Harrison’s and pulls him toward her. His jaw relaxes as she tears him out of his blind rage.

“What are y’all doing out here?” Grace asks.

“We were chatting about how Cash is becoming my roommate. Beckett’s idea,” Remi explains with a sweet smile.

Everyone believes she’s a delicate flower, but I have her thorns memorized. I love them.

Grace nods and immediately supports it. ”That’s perfect for both of you. Maybe you can spy on Remi for us and share who she's been sneaking around with.”

Remi”s mouth quirks up. We are a joke between them, something they giggle about.

Harrison’s nostrils flare with anger.

”The summer months are typically the busiest, so I expect to be living at the office. Doubt I’ll be home much anyway,” I explain, but I don’t think Harrison gives two fucks about that.

“See, it’s nothing to be concerned about. And Beckett said you needed to save for a house,” Remi says. Her entire demeanor changes, and she’s not backing down.

“Exactly,” Grace tells him. “Don’t be stupid, Harri.”

I need to deescalate this situation. “I have to get back to my date.”

I walk past them and make my way inside the barn. Christine is now laughing and dancing with Colt while Beckett sits in the front, holding Summer on his lap. They’re lost in one another.

Harrison comes up from behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Mess with my little sister, and I’ll kick your ass.”

I shove his hand off of me and turn to him. “You better check yourself before you wreck yourself. I think you forgot who the fuck you were talking to.”

I’m five years older than Harrison. He always followed Beckett and me around when we were teenagers. I’ve treated him like my little brother, and I’d kick his ass like he was if it’s needed.

“Harrison!” Remi says. “Stop. I swear. I’m going to tell Dad.”

She’s a daddy’s girl and could get Harrison in more trouble than he can handle. Before it gets too rowdy, Grace takes Harrison by the hand and leads him away. She glances over her shoulder and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

Remi stands next to me, inhaling deeply. Neither of us says a word. I meet her eyes, knowing I’d risk it all for her, but then I force myself away. Right now, we need space. What we did was reckless.

If I’m ever asked about Remi, I won’t deny it. Most are too chickenshit for confrontation.

I wait at the edge of the dance floor for Christine, and when the song ends, she finds me. She’s all smiles, and I can tell she’s having a good time. I’m happy to see it.

“There you are,” she says, looking at her watch. “I hate to do this, but I have to leave soon. I have an online meeting with my manager at five in the morning. Stupid time zones.”

“No problem,” I say as she loops her arm with mine. “Did you get his number?”

“I did,” she says, giddy. “Did you take care of what you needed to handle?”

“I did,” I say, and I’m beginning to wonder if we’re not so transparent. “Actually, what did you mean by that?”

She leans in and whispers in my ear. “You and Remi. That’s your secret girlfriend, right?”

I meet her eyes and don’t say a word.

She grins. “I knew it. It’s written across your forehead.”

My brows furrow.

“It’s obvious.”

The lights in the barn brighten, and Beckett and Summer stand behind a chocolate and vanilla-tiered cake. On top is a figurine of them, along with a miniature bed-and-breakfast and a training barn. It’s perfectly them.

The photographer stands to the side and snaps a photo of them laughing. They pose next to the cakes and cut tiny slices to feed to one another.

Before Summer, Beckett was miserable and angry at life. Kinda like I am right now.

“Would you like some cake?” I ask Christine.

“No, thanks.”

I smile. “Great, we can head out if you’re ready.”

As I turn to leave, I walk past Remi, and her gaze lingers a second too long. It nearly holds me hostage and pulls me under like quicksand. The way she commands me with a single look is insanity. Fuck, it’s almost too much as she reaches out and brushes her fingers against mine when I pass. I don’t want to let go as her simple touch steals my breath away.

When I step outside, I realize I’m tense.

“Are you okay?” Christine asks.

“Yeah,” I say looking up at the stars, waiting for one to fall so I can make a wish. It doesn’t happen.

We walk to my truck, and when we’re close, I open the door for her. She climbs in and we leave. As I head toward the country road, the bed and breakfast glows golden in the dark.

The gravel road slightly curves, and I glance at the clinic I built on the Horseshoe Creek Ranch. Beckett and I made an agreement, and I’m leasing five acres of property for one hundred years. It’s an agreement that will expire long after we’re gone, an offer he made to bring me back home.

I’ve told him a contract won’t keep me here and if I’m meant to leave, I will. It was the risk he took, one that may hover in his mind for a lifetime.

Some days I can’t believe that the state-of-the-art facilities are mine. The stables are a dream come true; one I busted my ass for. I’ve dedicated fifteen years of my life to my profession, but it’s also why I’m in my current predicament.

Christine yawns and it steals my attention. ”Waking up early for these meetings makes me feel like a grandma. I’m exhausted by eight.”

I laugh. ”You’re right. These days I’m crashing before the sun goes down.”

Her house is a few miles outside of town. It’s a cute two-bedroom I would”ve rented from Colt, but he found a tenant right after he posted the listing. Rental property doesn’t stay available for long in the area.

”How”s Smooches?” I ask. We met when she brought her poodle in for yearly shots. On a different night, she was at Boot Scooting and joined me at the bar. I explained I was seeing someone, and she told me I wasn’t her type. We became friends.

”Smooches is great. All day long, she goes in and out of the doggy door. It’s like she can’t make up her mind.”

”That’s hilarious.”

She grins. ”I feel bad for making you leave your best friend”s wedding early.”

”Nah, don’t be. We didn’t miss much—the bouquet and garter toss. I’m good on those. In my opinion, it’s the most annoying part of a reception.”

”Agreed,” she says as I pull into her driveway.

”And I have to be up at sunrise, too.”

She unbuckles and clicks the side button of her phone to check the time. It’s nearly nine. ”Are you working on a Sunday?”

I shake my head. ”I have a weekly coffee date with an old friend.”

”Gotcha. Well, thanks for the invite. That was a lot of fun. Let’s have a drink soon.”

”Sure, I”d like that,” I tell her.

She grabs the door handle, giving me a wave as she climbs out of the truck. With the headlights pointed toward her porch, I wait until she’s inside before driving away.

I’m tempted to text Remi, knowing she's still at the wedding, but I don’t. We hardly text or call one another, not after she ghosted me years ago.

As I drive out of city limits, I think about moving in with Remi in seven days.

How many days would it take for all boundaries to fall?

Our relationship started nearly seven years ago. Maybe history is repeating itself and this is our second chance at love.

Fuck, I hope it is.