the doorknob. “And that it’s not just friendly?”
Oakley stood up, her chin lifted and defiance in her eyes. “He knows we’re not exclusive.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“Of course I am.” She came toward him, hesitating the closer she got. She stopped a couple of feet away and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Are you saying you’re not interested unless we date exclusively?”
“Yes, Oakley. I don’t want to constantly be thinking if I’m good enough for you. I already know I’m not. Knowing that you’re eating lunch with me and then dinner with someone else will only exacerbate that.” He took a step closer to her, and she smelled absolutely amazing. He’d probably hate himself in ten minutes and come back and tell her he’d do whatever she wanted him to do.
He took a chance and reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Besides, if we started dating, Oakley, I’d want to see you all the time. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Call me selfish, but I’m not willing to share the woman I go out with.”
Oakley searched his face, her eyes wide.
“Sorry,” Ranger said, backing up. His fingers scrambled for the doorknob, finally latching onto it. He had to get out of this room immediately, or he might kiss Oakley and tell her to forget everything he’d just said. “When I’m ready to buy the trucks, I’ll come see you. I know you want the commission.”
He opened the door and walked out, his legs made of wood and his heartbeat sprinting through his whole body.
“Ranger,” she called behind him, and Ranger drew in a deep breath as his steps slowed. Why wouldn’t she just let him leave? He’d already made a fool of himself in the ten minutes he’d been here.
He turned back to face her, because he was forty years old, and he could be mature in this situation. She walked toward him, her heeled shoes making clicking noises against the tile in the hall. “I’m just trying to get to know people,” she said, her voice a shade angry. “How else am I supposed to do that if I don’t go out with a lot of men?” She arrived in front of him and put her hands on her hips, cocking one out in a sexy stance that nearly had Ranger agreeing with her.
Instead, he shook his head. “One at a time, Oakley, like everyone else.” He turned and walked away—again—praying with everything inside him that she’d let him go this time.
Help me to get all the way back to the ranch too. Don’t let me turn back and come crawling back to this woman.
Please, Lord.
He made it outside and all the way to his truck without encountering anyone. He turned the radio up loud as he headed out of town, and that made it hard to think. Without being able to fixate on Oakley and what had just happened at the dealership, he made it back to Shiloh Ridge without turning back.
He went all the way to the stables and parked, getting out as a measure of darkness filled his soul. He pushed open the door too hard, actually encouraged by the slamming of it into the wall behind it. Ranger suddenly understood the origin of the grizzly bear inside his cousin, and he wondered what animal the salty, angry part of himself was.
His phone chimed, and he rolled his eyes. “If that’s Oakley, I’m blocking her,” he vowed. “Dear Lord, don’t let it be Oakley.” He didn’t want to block her. He didn’t want to walk away from her. He wanted to go out with her—desperately—but he wanted to be the only one dating her.
Bear’s name sat on the screen, thankfully, and he’d texted the entire sibling group. We’re decorating Grandmother’s tree tonight at the homestead. All are welcome. Bishop is having pizza and salad delivered from Tuscany’s, so come hungry. Should be there around 6:30.
Others started responding that they’d be there, and Ranger added his Sounds good, and shoved his phone in his pocket. With everyone at the homestead tonight, Bear and Ward wouldn’t be able to ask how things had gone at the dealership.
Ward, he thought, and his anger flared. He had some choice words for his brother, but he thought he better calm down a little before he decided to say them. In the end, Ranger knew he wouldn’t say them at all. Ward had meant well, because he knew Ranger liked Oakley.
“That’s the worst part of this,” he muttered to himself. If