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“Yes. And I’d like you to meet him.” I waited for my stomach to hurt, the way it always did when Mom got that tone. The one that let me know she was disappointed.

Yes, I was so nervous, I shook. But my stomachache didn’t make an appearance.

“He’s a cowboy. From your father’s ranch,” Mom said.

“He’s our foreman, so he pretty much runs everything, yeah.”

“Oh.” More silence. “So what’s y’all’s plan, then? Iimagine he doesn’t want to leave Hartsville. None of them do.”

I didn’t know how to answer that. I knew it would freak Mom out if I told her the truth—that Cash and I don’t know what our plans are yet, but that we’re in love and trying to figure out a way to make a life together.

“Let’s take this one step at a time,” I replied carefully. “Can you just promise to give him a chance? I know you don’t like cowboys?—”

“For good reason! I swear to God, Mollie, if I find out he’s trying to tie you down to that place?—”

“Cash isn’t like that. Trust me, okay? I’ve never let you down.”

Mom sighed. “I know, sweetheart. You have a good head on your shoulders. But I’d like to think I do, too, and then your dad showed up, and we all know what happened then. Cowboys are selfish. They’ll make you think they’re in love?—”

“Can you not talk about my dad like that?”

I could practically hear Mom blinking in surprise. “Goodness, Mollie, what’s gotten into you? You’re asking me to give this guy a chance, but I can already tell he’s worked a number on you.”

In bed, yes. And in life, too, I guess, in all the best ways.

“If you’re saying that he’s helped open my eyes, then yes, that’s true. But he’s not pulling a fast one on me. You’d realize that if you met him. Remember you promised you’d do better?”

“Fine,” Mom huffed. “I’ll meet him. I have to run. See y’all tomorrow.”

She’d hung up without saying goodbye. I haven’t heard from her since.

Looking up at Cash, I wonder what he’ll think of my mother. I told him my conversation with her didn’t go well, but I spared him the details. He wasn’t surprised. But he didadmit to being nervous to meet her, which I thought was kinda cute.

“Should we christen my place or what?” I saunter across the kitchen and wrap my arms around his waist. “Your cabin’s practically a holy site by now. We have some catching up to do here in Dallas.”

Still grinning, he reaches down to grab my ass. “You do say God’s name a lot when you’re with me. ‘Oh, God, Cash.’ ‘God, that feels too good, Cash.’ ‘Oh my God, don’t stop.’” His hand moves to the small of my back. “I hope you weren’t plannin’ on sleeping much while we’re here.”

I reach around to grabhisass. It feels as firm and delicious as it looks. “I’ve never been so happy to be so sleep-deprived in my life.”

He leans down to kiss my mouth. I melt my hips into his, my body rising on a familiar tide of arousal. I reach out to tug his shirt out of his jeans, but Cash grabs my wrist.

“Isn’t Wheeler comin’ over?”

“Oh. Yeah. Wow. You’re right, she’ll be here”—I glance at the clock on the stove—“any minute. Sorry, you distracted me.”

I turn back to Cash to see him smirk. “And I ain’t even wearin’ my hat.”

I’m still smiling when I open the door for Wheeler ten minutes later.

“You’reback!” she cries before pulling me in for a hug. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, I’m so happy to see you! Look how tan you are! You look…happy, friend.”

I’ve obviously told my best friend about Cash. Maybe that’s why I blush so furiously—I assume she’s hinting at the fact that I look good because I’m getting laid.

Really, why not accept the compliment? Iamgetting laid, and Iamhappy.

Really fucking happy.

“I’ve missed you,” I say. “Gorgeous dress, as always.”