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“You got some nerve, handsome, making me wait. When do you propose we go on this date?”

“Friday. I know Frisky Whiskey is taking a break on account of your drummer having pneumonia. My place. I’ll make dinner.”

Laughing, I turn around in the circle of his arms and put my hands on his chest. “But you don’t cook.”

“Lotsa firsts happening these days.” Wyatt doesn’t budge, keeping me trapped against the sink so that our faces are inches apart.

Less when he leans his weight into his hands, flattening his hips against mine.

“What can I bring?”

The need between my legs coils tighter as he hovers over me, a massive, smirking slab of cowboy. “Just the shit you’llneed for a sleepover. Forget the jammies though. We don’t wear those at my house.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” His eyes get this hazy look in them before he leans in and kisses me. “Aw, Sunshine, you got me feelin’ a whole lot better than okay.”

“And you have me feeling like I have the world’s worst case of sexual frustration. You keep doing this to me.”

His turn to laugh. “Patience pays off.”

“You’d better put your money where your mouth is, cowboy.”

“Lucky for you, I’m real good with my money and my mouth.” He kisses me again. “Friday. Five o’clock. I’ll come pick you up.”

CHAPTER 21

Wyatt

ALWAYS BE MY FIRST

I wonderwhat Mom would think if she could see me now.

I’m wearing bright yellow rubber gloves. I’m on my hands and knees, a toothbrush in one hand and a spray bottle of Clorox in the other as I go to town, scrubbing the grout on the bathroom’s tile floor.

I know she’d smile. She’d definitely approve of all the effort I’ve put in this week, preparing for my date with Sally.

Mama, you raised me right.Mostly, anyway.

Go figure, a toothbrush really does the job. It’s a trick Mom taught us when we were doing our chores. Cash and I always got assigned bathroom duty, so I have plenty of practice.

Falling back on my haunches, I survey my work. I’m sweating and I smell like bleach, but dang if the bathroom don’t sparkle and shine. The vanity is spotless, and so is the old claw-foot bathtub that does double duty as a shower. I even cleaned the windows and the walls and organized the vanity drawers to boot.

My heart twists. I really wish Mom were here so I could run my plans by her for the date. She’d have so many ideas.

Mom would love the fact that Sally and I are dating. She always adored Sally. But what would Mom have to say about my fears of letting my guard down?

Take your head out of your ass and realize not every relationship ends in tragedy.

I want to believe that. I’m trying to believe it.

“Ho-lyshit.”

I nearly jump at the sound of the voice by the door. Yanking my earbud out of my ear, I look up and see Mollie standing in the doorway. She’s staring at the shiny tile floor, her mouth a perfect O.

“Ever heard of knocking?” I ask.

“I knocked for ten minutes, Wyatt. But obviously you were too engrossed in scrubbing thefloorwith a freakingtoothbrushto hear me.” She blinks. “Have the bleach fumes gotten to you? Do you have a fever? I fear you are unwell.”