Page 40 of Owned By The Cowboy

“See you, cowboy.”

I’m halfway to my truck when she calls out.

“Blayne?”

I turn back. “Yeah?”

“Make sure to wear the hat tomorrow.”

I grin, touching my forehead with two fingers. “Yes, ma’am.”

Driving home, I can’t stop thinking about how she looked at me tonight. Not just the wanting, though there was plenty of that, but something else. Something that looked almost like she might actually want more with me.

This was supposed to be easy. No strings, no mess, just two adults having some fun.

But sitting at her table, listening to her kids, watching her, made me feel like maybe I could belong somewhere… And that’s the kind of shit that changes everything.

Thirteen

Reggie

“Mom, you’re making me nervous,” Annalise says, watching me pace around her bedroom.

“I’m just making sure you have everything, baby.”

“I have everything. You’ve checked like ten times.”

She’s not wrong. I’ve been a complete disaster all day, ever since I woke up thinking about tonight. The father-daughter dance. Blayne in a suit. My six-year-old daughter getting to live out her princess fantasy while I try not to stare at her date like he’s dessert.

“Okay, let’s see,” I say, doing one final check. “The most beautiful dress?”

“Check.” She does a little twirl, and the skirt flares out perfectly. She looks like a fairytale princess.

“Super fancy shoes?”

“Check.” She points her toe, showing off the little silver Mary Janes that took us three towns over to find.

“Hair bow?”

“Check.” The purple bow matches her dress perfectly and makes her look even more adorable.

“Lipgloss?”

“Check!” She grins, revealing teeth that are still too big for her face.

I laugh, hugging her loosely to not mess up anything. “Perfect. You look absolutely beautiful, baby girl.”

“Do you think Blayne will think I’m pretty?”

My heart literally melts. “I think Blayne’s going to be the proudest man at that dance.”

“Good. Because I practiced my dancing all week and I’m really good now.”

“You are really good. The best dancer I know.”

The doorbell rings, and my stomach immediately ties itself in knots.

“He’s here!” Annalise shrieks, abandoning all pretense of being a sophisticated young lady. “He’s here, he’s here!”