Page 87 of If It's You

“I do not love Christian,” she said forcefully.

“I was talking about Jayce.” Hugh cocked an eyebrow. “Unless there are some hidden feelings there you aren’t admitting to yourself.”

Maizie let out a heavy breath. “I don’t know. One minute it almost seems like there’s something there, but then the next it’s gone, and he’s a jerk again.”

“He doesn’t seem like much of a jerk to me,” Hugh said.

“He calls me princess like it’s a curse word, and he’s insanely cocky. All the time.”

“It sounds like he’s got it bad, he just doesn’t know it yet,” Hugh said, tapping his finger along the dashboard to the country song barely audible on the radio.

Could he be right? Did she want him to be right?

Her pulse quickened. “I doubt it. Okay, enough about me. Time to spill on your love life. How is girl number sixteen? What’s her name again?” Maizie said, bringing the truck to a stop by the baby calf pens.

“No, it’s number fourteen. And Lexi’s fine.”

“So why don’t you bring her around?” Maizie got the bottles ready and fixed a stare on her player of a cousin.

“Because this is family time,” he grinned.

* * *

Christian didn’t knowwhy he’d agreed to get ice cream with Lyla, Lindsay, and Jayce. Getting ice cream had turned into a game of pool and ping pong at Lindsay’s house then a movie. Lyla was pretty and fun to talk to, but it had been a long day and Christian wanted to go back to the farm.

“Do you want to come to the barbeque?” Jayce asked Lindsay who was currently sitting on his lap, feeding him M&M’s.

The ice cream churned in Christian’s stomach.

“I wish. My mom is making us go to grandma’s house,” Lindsay pouted. “I swear that woman hates me.”

“I, uh, actually need to get going,” Lyla said to Christian.

“I’ll walk you out.” Christian jumped at the opportunity to escape from the nonstop PDA.

“Thanks.” Lyla grinned.

“I’m sorry about them.” Christian shook his head.

“I don’t mind. It was worth it to get to hang out with you.” She smiled and big dimples appeared in each of her cheeks.

He should have found it cute. But for some reason, he found himself remembering that Maizie didn’t have dimples.

“Yeah, it was fun,” he said.

She stood still. She seemed to be waiting for something more from him. But he had nothing left to give.

“Okay, bye.” She darted around the car and slid into the driver’s seat.

Christian watched her speed off before letting out a heavy breath.

He raked a hand through his hair. He was annoyed with everyone. With Grandma’s little schemes. With himself for leading Lyla on. With Jayce for being such a pain. With Rob’s annoying competition. With Maizie for. . . consuming his thoughts and making him feel things he couldn’t afford to feel.

He kicked around the stones on the driveway until Jayce finally emerged.

“Ready to go?” Jayce grinned from ear to ear. He must have gotten quite the goodbye kiss.

“Yep.” Christian pursed his lips. He’d been ready for hours now.