“Why? You fuck him?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
She jerks away from me, or at least attempts to, but I don’t allow it. “Absolutely not. I’m not his type. But you are.”
My lips twitch into a smile before I let out a bark of laughter. “Yeah, I kind of got that impression at Beaumont’s. So you think because I was raised in this small town that I got some small-town bullshit mentality? Is that what you’re implying? Did I treat him badly when I was in LA?”
“No, but Ford,” she warns.
“Sorry, honey. You should know me better than that. My parents were good people, who raised me to love all people. Sure, there’s some small-minded folks around here, but they’re everywhere else, too. You stick around here and Gallup is going to prove you wrong on that shit.”
“I know you’re not like that, I just…”
“You just thought that I would have a problem with your friend because he’s gay, right?”
Her eyes widen at my frankness. It’s what she thought. It’s probably why she didn’t bring him the first time she came swinging into town a few weeks ago.
“People will talk, Stephanie. They always talk. You gotta figure out if they’re talking because they just like to know who’s who or if they’re bein’ downright mean. Some people were downright mean to Channing a few years ago, but most were just talkin’ to fuckin’ flap their lips because not much happens here.
“It’ll be the same with your friend and with you, because you ain’t been around for a while and you’re famous. Is that going to bother you? Upset you? You’re made of sterner shit than that, Stephanie LaRue.”
“Okay,” she snaps. “I get it.”
“Do you?”
She licks her lips, her eyes searching mine. “We’ll be by in the morning.”
“And all our friends will come over in the evening for grilling and hanging out.”
“Ford,” she sighs.
“They’ll want to see you and meet him.”
“They will,” she says, nodding her head.
Dipping my chin, I touch my mouth to hers. “I’ll see you tomorrow, honey.”
“Okay,” she breathes.
I don’t deepen the kiss, instead I keep it soft, light and chaste. Straightening, I take a step back. Her eyes slowly open and she licks her lips. They’re a little swollen and sexy as fuck. I watch as she reaches for the handle of her car door and tugs it open before sinking inside.
Climbing into my truck, I start the engine and follow her out of the parking lot. I stay close behind her as she drives toward the hotel. When she pulls into a spot, I park behind her, watching as she makes her way inside.
I think about walking her directly to her room, but decide against it. Leaving the parking lot, I head toward home, then decide to make a quick detour at Rylan’s. I know it was Channing who concocted this whole fucking plan.
I’m not sure if I should be pissed off at her for not warning me, or hug her for bringing Stephanie back to me the way that she did.
When I turn down Rylan’s street, I almost pass right by the little house with the For Sale sign in front. Pulling over, I jump out and make my way over to the front porch. My gaze shifts over to the porch swing and I do something that I know I probably shouldn’t.
When I’m finished breaking the law, I drive directly toward Rylan’s. He’s standing in the front yard, watering the grass with the hose, the sun already having set, I’m surprised to see him outside. Killing my engine, I jump out of the truck and make my way toward him.
“Figured you’d be by tonight or maybe tomorrow, things not go well?” he asks.
“You knew?”
He snorts. “Not until today. Channing couldn’t keep it in another minute longer when she got the confirmation text from Stephanie.”
“Fuck.” I chuckle. “Your wife around?”
“Not if you’re gonna be pissed off at her. Brooks’ been teething, she’s been losing sleep, don’t need to add that on her plate.”
Frowning, I look to the ground, then lift my gaze back up to meet his. “Wouldn’t yell at her, ever. She’s too fucking sweet to be yelled at. Plannin’ on thanking her.”
“So, it did go well?” he asks, his lips twitching into a grin. “You two back together?”
Nodding my head, I chuckle. “You could say that. She doesn’t want to go too fast, but she’s moving to the tiny house tomorrow. Wanted to invite y’all out to