Page 138 of Power

“Tessa too. She’s practically glowing.”

“So, you’ll be my date at the wedding then, Trouble?” His eyes held mine, still carrying that hint of vulnerability that only I got to see.

I kissed him slowly, deliberately. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Though fair warning: I cry at weddings.”

After, despite him previously saying how much he didn’t want to do it, he went horseback riding with me. The new barn manager helped me pick one of her slow, older horses, so this time, Jace didn’t hate it. I appreciated that even though he wouldn’t always go riding with me, he was willing to sometimes.

When we returned home, Jace stared at his phone, squinting at the screen with adorable confusion.

71

JACE

SINNERS AND SAINTS GROUP CHAT

Ryker: Dude. WTF. I just lost 10 points of respect for you, Jace.

Blake: 10? Try 15 at least. Maybe 20. My clinical assessment shows terminal dignity loss.

Me: The hell are you talking about?

Ryker: Your girlfriend just posted this on Insta …

[Ryker sends image]

Me: What the?—

The picture was of me. On a horse. Staring thoughtfully into the sunset with that golden light hitting my face just right. The kind of shot I never knew was being taken.

It had been edited into a romance novel cover though. Professionally done, down to the glossy finish and embossed lettering. For one suspended second, I thought maybe this was some kind of publishing deal my PR team forgot to mention.

Until I read the title.

DOUCHEBAG COWBOY

Book One in the Men Who Surrendered Their Balls Series

After quickly confirming what I already knew—Scarlett had simply posted a raw photo on social media, and one of the guys had done the editing—I continued with the text.

Me: Which one of you immature jackasses did this? How long did this take you to create in Photoshop? Are you fucking obsessed with me?

Axel: Oh, please, have you ever heard of easy editing apps? Took 30 seconds. The sound I imagined your soul making when you saw it was all the motivation I needed. *chef’s kiss emoji*

Ryker: The font choice really sells it. Very Fabio-meets-Wall-Street douchebag.

Blake: I’m saving this forever. This is going up in the hospital break room.

Me: Delete it. Now.

Axel: Never. It’s going in my will. My dying wish will be to have it projected onto your corporate headquarters.

Me: Keep it up, and I’ll send Dakota to your house.

Dakota was the human equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane who somehow had Axel—the most unmanageable man I’d ever met—cowering in unease.

Axel: That’s not funny.

Me: Oh, but it is. Wish I could see your face right now. I bet even your hair is nervous.