Page 103 of Owned By The Cowboy

Jaylen stares at him. Then at me. Then at Blayne again. “Does this mean I can start calling you Dad now?”

Blayne chokes.

I blink.

Jay shrugs. “What? I mean, I’m not gonna say it in public or anything, but like…can I?”

Blayne clears his throat, his voice quieter than usual. “You can call me whatever you want, son.”

My boy nods like it’s no big deal, then he grabs a granola bar and disappears back outside.

Which leaves…

“Did someone say wedding?” Annalise bounds into the room, screaming at the top of her lungs, wearing her princess pajamas and cowboy boots. “Is there gonna be cake?”

Nia laughs from the couch.

“Yes, baby, there will be cake,” I tell her with a huge grin, pulling my princess into my arms.

“I wanna be the flower girl!”

“You’re absolutely gonna be the flower girl,” Blayne deadpans, leaning in to kiss the top of her hair.

“Can I throw glitter instead of petals?”

Blayne glances at me, grinning. “Sure, kid. Let’s make it a glitter explosion.”

“Yay!” She spins in a circle, boot heels clacking against the floor.

Nia lifts her head. “You know she’s going to demand a tiara and a microphone.”

“She can have both,” he says.

“This wedding’s gonna be chaos.” She shakes her head, grinning with all her teeth.

Blayne comes to stand behind me, resting his hand on my shoulder. “It’s gonna be perfect.”

Twenty Nine

Epilogue

Reggie’s wearing that sundress again. The one with the buttons down the front that drives me halfway to hell, because every time she leans forward to pass a dish or help Annalise cut her food, the top pulls just enough to make me forget how to breathe. I keep my hand on the back of her chair. Because if I don’t touch her, I might combust.

Dinner at her parents’ place has become our Sunday ritual. Mel grills like he’s auditioning for a Food Network special. Sarah makes enough sides to feed the entire town. There’s music playing low, kids coming in and out, someone yelling from the porch. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s family. And somehow, I’m part of it now.

Reggie’s laughing at something her sister said. Jay’s explaining fantasy football rules to his grandpa, who nods like heunderstands but absolutely doesn’t. Nia’s scrolling through her phone.

Reggie catches my eye, and it’s like the whole place fades out. Her smile softens just for me. Her fingers brush mine. She leans in a little, mouth close to my ear.

“You gonna tell them or do I have to flash the ring and pretend I forgot?”

I snort. “You would.”

She grins. “I’m very believable.”

“Uh-huh.”

I wait until her dad’s pouring sweet tea and the chatter’s hit a lull, then clear my throat and glance down the table.