Page 47 of Braving the Storm

“Sorry, I’m kind of only half dressed. I didn’t know you were coming.” Next to this girl, I feel like hot garbage.

“You can thank me later; I hear you need help getting ready for a date and that you could use a ride down the mountain.” She breezes toward me, presents me with a divine aroma of coffee with creamer, and carries on into the bedroom. “Ooooooh, cute outfits. Which one are you thinking?” Layla plops down on the edge of the bed.

“Thanks for the coffee. But, how do you know I’ve got a date?” My eyes narrow on her. News can’t travel that fast around Crimson Ridge, surely?

“Storm radioed up to the ranch earlier this morning. Said you needed a ride to town today… and might have mentioned something about bringing a gun with me in case a certain Hayes boy decides to get a little too handsy over lunch.” Layla’s green eyes dance as she takes a sip, winking at me.

“Oh god. He didn’t?”

“I told him to stop being an overbearing uncle and let you live your best life.”

I have to risk burning my mouth by taking the biggest gulp of coffee ever to hide the way my face wants to betray every dirty little secret from the events of his truck.

“So, are you going for cute-hot, or rail-me-cowboy-hot for this date?

That makes me almost spit my coffee all over the place. “Layla.” I scold.

“What? Wes isfiiiiine… don’t tell Colt I said that because he might bury him on the outskirts of the ranch next time he sees him, but I can appreciate a premium specimen of cowboy when I see one.”

“I don’t know, what do you think would be the best to wear? Suddenly, I’m really nervous.” I rest the heel of my hand against my forehead. “Layla… I haven’t been on a date in…” Forever. Never. I’ve never dated because my awful goddamn family didn’t allow me to and shoved me straight into the arms of Antoine since it suited their schemes and power-plays.

Bless the gorgeous woman seated in front of me; she takes myflustered attitude in her stride and doesn’t make me feel anything but supported.

She’s an angel living on Devil’s Peak, I’m certain of it.

“It’s ok. You’re going to do amazing, and it’s obviously meant to be that I’m here to be your one-woman hype squad. I’ve got you. Besides, I needed to go into town anyway, and you’ve got nothing to be worried about. From what I know, Wes is not only easy to look at, but he is also a really good guy.”

“Aren’t all the good ones supposed to be taken?” I scrunch my nose.

Layla chuckles. “Well, I didn’t say he wouldn’t be complicated…”

Nothing can be more complicated than the fact I would gladly get on my knees for my uncle, so I can only agree with her on that front.

“It’s coffee and lunch. I should probably stick with cute-hot… right?” Standing in front of the bed, I survey the options I’ve already laid out.

“To be honest, Briar, I think no matter what you wear, our boy Wes is going to be staring at you with big ol’ cowboy-shaped hearts in his eyes… so wear something you feel good in. The rest of the magic will work by itself.”

“Can I hire you to sit on my shoulder and flatter my ego all day?”

“Might have to get in line with the horses. Those needy things have my attention locked down.” She reaches to pluck the coffee out of my hand. “Ok, let’s do this. I vote for this adorable combo right here, city girl.”

That brings a smile creeping over my lips. It’s the one I know will feel good when I wear it. A fitted jersey dress with long sleeves and a buttery soft ribbed material that I can pair with my new boots and a coat. I’ll probably be far too overdressed for lunch at a tiny cafe in Crimson Ridge, but what do I care when there’s only one man I intend to leave an impression upon today?

Rolling my lips together, I quietly shush the slutty little part of my brain that decides to pipe up and point out there is most definitely another cowboy I’m secretly hoping will see me in this outfit.

“Let me get changed, and I’ll be out soon. Make yourself comfy.”

“You’re going to make me fall in love with you, aren’t you, Briar Lane?” Layla calls after me, giggling.

As I slip into the bathroom and finish getting ready, I hear her move through the cabin toward the warmth of the fire.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve already booked you for another date…” She calls out from the lounge. “My bestie Sage is going to be in town. She’s flying in to come visit.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“She’s just launched her own PR and marketing brand… freelancing… generally being a badass and ruling the world.”

Layla carries on telling me details of their friendship since they were young, how long Sage is going to be here in town for, and generally makes all of it sound so effortless. Completely normal and casual and the kind of thing that doesn’t have any preconceived ulterior motives around business connections or potential clients to be wooed.