Page 67 of Mister Cowboy

His chest rose and fell and he loosened his fists, which had been clenched at his sides.

Henry nodded, looking almost remorseful. “I’m staying in town for a while. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

37

January

He loves me.

She’d been repeating it over and over, remembering the way his deep timber vibrated through her and the way his eyes held hers. Three little words, but she’d never be the same. A twinge of panic coursed through her. Why hadn’t he called? Was he upset that she hadn’t said it back?

Checking her phone again, January tightened the belt on her trench coat and steadied her nerves. Sliding on the strappy shoes he was so fond of and steeling her eyes at her reflection, she gave herself a final pep talk.

Deep breaths, you can do this. He loves you. HE LOVES YOU! Now, go get him.

“Wowsers. Do you have anything on underneath there?” Michael whistled as he walked out of his bedroom in his sweats and gym tank.

“Of course I do.” She cinched the belt on the coat tighter around her waist. “It’s just not appropriate for this time of day.”

“Going to see Brecken?”

“Yes, I’m going to surprise him at this office. What are you doing up?”

“Meeting Carrie for lunch.”

“You must like her to be up at this hour.”

“This schedule is going to kill me. Dating someone who works a traditional nine-to-five job is harder than I remember.”

She snorted. “You say that like you’ve tried it so many times before.”

“Get out of here while I’m still speaking to you.” He grimaced playfully. “Oh, your dad called the landline again. Have you been screening him on your cell?”

“I’ve been busy,” she admitted. “I’ll call him later.” She kissed the air. “See you tonight.”

* * *

It wasthe first time she’d been to Brecken’s office, but it felt as if she could have picked it out even without the large black lettering signage that hung on the side of the building.

Everything about the interior spoke to his personality. Colorful and eccentric art lined the hallway, and the office buzzed with quiet chatter and the pecking of fingers on keyboards.

She knew she should have expected to see Nadia—the woman was his assistant, after all—but she was still a bit thrown off balance when she rounded the corner and found the woman herself sitting behind the large desk. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a chic bun that made her neck look long and delicate. Mustering up all her courage, she walked toward her.

Nadia stood from behind her desk and walked around to greet her like January imagined she did for all Brecken’s appointments. Long, lean legs, a rack that made even January’s eyes fall to her chest, and a smile that could be as warm as is it could be frosty. She hated it that Brecken had slept with her. Hated it even more that he still saw her every day.

“He’s on a call. Not to be disturbed.” Nadia motioned with her head to the closed door to her left.

“I’ll wait.”

“Can I get you a coffee or a water?” Nadia asked sweetly.

“No, thank you.”

With a polite nod, she walked a few steps back toward her desk and stopped. “I suppose Brecken has told you the happy news?”

January’s body set for defensive mode. “I’m not sure what good news you mean.”

“Brecken and I are expecting!” Nadia looked lovingly down at her stomach.