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He nodded sadly. “Are you saying that’s the word you’d rather stick with?”

“No!” She traced his cheek with her fingers. “Why would you think that, you crazy, beautiful man? What I’m saying is that I love you, too.”

He dropped his head and rested his forehead against hers as he looked down into her eyes.

“Thank you. I won’t let you down, darlin’.”

“I hope not.”

“I promise you. I’m going to love you the best I can.”

She chuckled. “I think you just did.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t mean like that.”

“I know.” Her expression grew serious. “Do you think we can make it work?”

“I know we can. I know we will. I don’t have any experience with loving a woman, I think you know that. But I learn fast.” He winked. “And I like to be the best.”

She ran her hands up his arms. “You are the best.”

As he looked down into her eyes, he had to say it again – he loved the way it sounded. The way it felt. “I love you, Everly Welsh.”

“I love you right back.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“We’re quiet tonight, you might as well go home, Everly.”

Everly raised her eyebrows at her boss. “Are you sure?”

He laughed. “I’m sure. You’ve had your head in the clouds all week.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m not saying that you’ve been off your game. It’s nice to see you so happy. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this new boyfriend of yours is the reason. So, while we’re quiet, you should go home and make the most of your time with him. Is he leaving this weekend?”

Her heart sank. “He is. He has to get back to the ranch.”

Her boss raised his eyebrows. “Do I need to start looking for a replacement for you?”

Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.”

“Want some advice?”

“I’ll take any advice I can get at this point, Doug. I don’t know what to do.”

He smiled. “Yeah, you do. You want to move up there and be with him. So, you should do it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you to go – I’ll be sad to lose you. But I’ll find someone else. They won’t be as good as you are, but in the grand scheme of things, settling for my second choice of bartender isn’t going to ruin my life. You on the other hand, if you let him go…” Doug shook his head. “Settling for your second choice in men? That’sa whole other deal. That could well ruin your life. I’ve known you for a long time, Everly. I’ve never seen you like this before. This Tanner? He’s good for you. And from what you’ve said, he’s good for Ashton, too. You want to go with him, right?”

“I’d love to, but…”

Doug shook his head. “Forget the buts. Go for it. Find a way.”

“I don’t know how. I don’t know if I’m brave enough.”

He smiled. “Would it help if I fired you?”

She gaped at him.