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“Okay, Emi, but I wanted this weekend to be about us.”

“Isn’t this us?”

The way she points it out makes me realize she’s thinking about what I said in the truck yesterday. “Yeah, but not exactly what I had planned.”

“Plans change, and besides, I think I’m broken.”

“Broken?”

“I’m pretty sure the horseback riding, paired with the activities last night, may have crippled me. You may have to haul a crane in here to get this chair back to your cabin. My whole body is aching.”

“Mine, too, but not in the same way.”

Her face softens and eyes start to glimmer. “I love you.”

“I would believe you more if you didn’t invite my nuisance of a best friend to stay with us.”

“It’s one night.”

I reach over to run my fingers along her cheek, only to be head-butted by Micky, who’s taken a protective edge.

“Buddy, back off.” I nudge his face to the side. “She’s still mine.”

“Your mom told me about his breeder. I’ve decided I want one.”

“He’s a big dog, Emi. Great Danes need land to roam. They also need attention as puppies. It’s a huge decision to make after only a few hours with him. It’s not always going to be this easy,” I point out.

“You mean kinda like making a decision you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone almost immediately?”

It takes a split–second for me to rethink my stance. “You want one, I’ll get you one. We’ll talk to the breeder.”

Her eyes light up, and she reaches for my hand. “We have time. Once life calms down and we can be out here more, we can get Micky a playmate.”

There’s a heavy, heartfelt sigh behind us, and I turn to see Mom and two of her friends with their hands at their mouths and eyes shining bright.

“Fuck,” I whisper under my breath and focus back to Emi. “Can we go back now?”

She nods. “I think twenty pounds of barbeque, five pitchers of margaritas, and a full day have caught up to me. Does your dad have a crane lying around to transport me?”

“I won’t need a crane. I’ll carry you.”

“How about trying to help me stand before you swoop me up? I’m scared I’ll hurt you.”

“Impossible.” I put her hand to my mouth and kiss it lightly then stand. “Micky, down,” I order, and he audibly whimpers before obeying. Once Emi’s lap is free, she uses me to help her up.

“Mom, we’re going to go.”

“Okay,” she replies dreamily, still watching us with the gleam in her eyes.

“Thank you, Leslie, for a wonderful night.” Emi leaves my side to hug Mom and say goodnight to her friends.

After several minutes of hugs and promises to see them again, I drag Emi to my truck, waving at my dad and a few other men on the way. Marcus is close behind.

On the short drive back to the cabin, Emi recaps the night and gushes over my parents’ property. Then she surprises the hell out of me when we park and she turns to me with a serious expression etched on her face. “I have a confession to make. There’s another reason I invited Marcus to join us tonight,” she announces.

The hair on the back of my neck starts to tingle.

“Maren and I agreed that we want to tell Marcus about TA.”