living and might be out on the road.”
“Ropes?” Candace asked.
“Yeah, I told you what he did for a living.”
She stared at me with a blank expression.
“He ropes the steer’s head, and his partner ropes the back feet.”
“That’s right. Cowboys aren’t really my turn on. I must have forgotten it the moment you told me.”
I laughed.
She gave me a grin. “I do remember you saying something about how you’d like to see what he can do with his rope.”
I spun around on my heels and made my way toward the hall that led to my bedroom, praying she would drop the conversation about Tanner. “I wish I’d never told you that!” I called out over my shoulder. “I was drunk when I said it, remember? Drunk speak should be sacred.”
Candace followed me into my room, a teasing, mocking tone in her voice. “Was that really just the booze talking, Timber? You’ve never mentioned being attracted to any guy, drunk or sober. Well, I mean, since dickhead. That was a pretty big confession for you.”
“I never said I was crushing on him. I said he was cute.”
She leaned against the windowsill and smirked. “No, you said, wait, let me think of the exact words…” She tapped her finger on her chin as if deep in thought. “Oh, that’s right! You said he was one of the hottest cowboys you’d ever saw, and you could totally see yourself sitting on his face. Maybe even being a reverse cowgirl to his cowboy.”
My mouth fell open, and I smacked her on the shoulder. “I never said that!”
She laughed and sat down on my bed. “Fine, but we both know you thought it. And come on, Timber, even with the few dates you’ve been on, you’ve never once mentioned them afterwards.”
I sighed. Candace was right. I had gone out a few times with some guys, but none of them ever made me feel like Tanner did simply from his smile. Or that husky voice of his. I thought of the way he held me in his arms that night when we danced.
Is it getting hot in here?
“Tanner is very cute, but he is also never home with the job that he has. I also heard rumors that he’s a player. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in a relationship, period.”
“Don’t let your daddy issues ruin all men for you.”
I laughed.
“So, you don’t want to fuck him, then?”
This time I was positive my jaw hit the ground. “Excuse me? You are blunt today, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “I believe in getting to the facts. Now, answer the question. Do you want to fu…”
I put my hand up and shot her a pleading look. “Please, stop. No, I do not want to sleep with him.”
Ugh. I wasn’t only lying to myself, but to my best friend as well.
“The last thing I want or need is a meaningless hook-up.” I prayed she didn’t hear the slight waver in my voice. From the moment I met Tanner Shaw, I had done nothing but dream about him. Lord, that smile. Those eyes that left my heart beating like hummingbird wings. But I knew a guy like Tanner was not the type of guy I needed in my life. I, unlike my best friend, was a realist. Not a romantic fool who believed the words of good-looking men who promised you the moon and stars. Been there, done that. All it had left me with was a broken heart and fifteen extra pounds when I laid in bed for a few weeks and cried my tears into ice cream and potato chips night after night.
“Well, I can’t fault you there. Are you thinking you’re ready to settle down, start a family, maybe?”
My body froze for a moment before I faced her. “Settle down?” I laughed a humorless laugh. “From my experience with men, all they do is try and win your heart, then once they get it, toss it to the ground and stomp on it.”
“Timberlynn, I know you’ve had issues with your daddy, and the guys you have dated haven’t been exactly what you were hoping for. But not all men are jerks. Maybe you need to give love a second chance. Or, at the very least, enjoy someone’s company.” She wiggled her brows as she said, “Someone like Tanner, perhaps?”
It felt like tiny needles were pressed against the back of my eyes. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to fall in love again. I was simply too afraid of