Page 50 of Ridin' True

“It is. Bull’s the shit,” insisted Tess. “But can we go back to the part where you walked in here holding Wrangler’s hand? I can’t unsee that. You’re also gorgeous, with brains, apparently—which is a trait we at this tableadore—and I know I just met you, but the idea of you and Wrangler together is making me very happy, because he’s really great and deserves someone who will walk into a biker bar wearing a pencil skirt like a boss.”

Jenna laughed and leaned toward me before she explained, “She’s pregnant and very hormonal, which has made her easily excitable recently. That said, I’ve never seen Wrangler hold anyone’s hand before, either—and you did kind of walk in here like a boss in that outfit.”

I looked from Jenna to Tess then at Winnie, who merely shrugged as if to say she couldn’t save me a second time.

Then it hit me.

I was sitting at a table with women who were asking me about the guy I liked. I hadn’t talked to anyone about him, and I was kind of dying to. With everything that was happening in my life at the moment, a bit of girl talk was like a gift from above. It didn’t even matter that they were strangers. They knewJed.

I opened my mouth to speak, but then remembered Maverick.

My eyes flickered in his direction, and Jenna responded immediately.

“Kade, honey? Could I get a refill?”

Her drink was barely half empty, but when she held up her glass, he took it and smiled down at her.

“Yeah, foxy.”

We all watched him leave, and then all eyes were on me.

“Our first date was last night, and he also took me to lunch this afternoon. As for the hand holding, Jed does that anytime we’re walking anywhere, and I kind of love it. I can’t say for sure what we’re doing because we haven’t actually talked about it yet, which makes sense. We only met a couple weeks ago. But it feels like something,” I blurted.

“You call himJed?” asked Jenna with a quirked eyebrow.

“Yeah,” I replied, glancing at each woman, feeling mildly confused by the question.

I knew his road name was Wrangler, but he gave me the option to call him by his given name from the start. I assumed he did the same with everyone.

Tess was grinning when she told me, “You two aretotallya thing.”

I didn’t get a chance to ask her why she was so sure before he was headed in my direction, a copper mug in one hand and a glass of beer in his other. He came to stand behind my seat, reaching around me to place the mug on the table.

In my ear, he said, “Wrong cup, right drink, darlin’.”

Laughing softly, I turned enough to look into his eyes.

“Thank you.”

He dipped his chin in acknowledgment then asked, “You good here?”

“Yeah. All good.”

“Alright. Saw Maverick got kicked to the curb, so I’ll be at the bar. You want another, you let me know. You want to get out of here, you let me know that, too.”

“And if I just want you to come back?” I inquired, feeling bold after Tess’s comment.

“Toss me a wink.”

“Deal,” I agreed, speaking through a smile.

I watched as he stared at my mouth, and I wondered if he’d kiss me. He didn’t, but I felt like he wanted to, and that was almost just as nice.

Almost.

Then he walked away, and I reached for my drink. As I took a sip, I noticed three sets of eyes trained on me—all of them bright with excitement.

Itwasaftermysecond drink that I felt brave enough totoss Jed a wink.