Page 51 of Stay With Me

A part of me wants to tell Noah about his little crush because I know she’d get a kick out of one of her brothers liking her client, but then she’d tell him she’s off-limits and that’d only make him pursue her more.

I can’t even blame him, though. Ellie’s a knockout with long, thick, blond hair. She’s so tiny, and I always wondered how she doesn’t get yeeted off her horse when he’s rounding barrels at high speeds.

But what’s really amusing is how Ellie’s six years younger than him and Landen would still be too immature for her.

“That’s what they all say until they get up close and personal with?—”

“Do not finish that!” I hold up one hand while I open my car door with the other.

Thank God Tripp isn’t home to hear us shouting at each other. Though it’d probably be nothing new since we’re always giving each other shit.

“A secret for a secret, Magpie!”

“Too bad I don’t have one!” I taunt, then get in the driver’s seat and shut the door.

I wait until I’m halfway home before I allow the panic to settle in. If someone saw me leave with Travis, that means it could onlybe a matter of time before it gets back to Tripp. If what Landen said is true and Tripp worried he’d never have a chance with me because I always went back to my ex, him finding out we slept together last weekend could ruin everything before it even begins.

Though I don’t want to lie to Tripp, the truth would only hurt him and add to his anxiety.

It could make him look at me differently or he could change his mind about me.

And after years of waiting to hear he likes me too, I’d be devastated if he walked away now.

Chapter Eleven

Tripp

Ilook like a tool.

Why I let Landen talk me into this, I’ll never know, but I was desperate for any opportunity to ask Magnolia out. At the time, I didn’t consider I’d have to dress up.

And now I’m standing in front of her door dressed in a light and dark green dinosaur onesie.

When my mom and Gramma Grace found out I was taking over the Halloween party for Landen, they were hell-bent on my costume being kid-friendly. Considering the short notice, the stores in town had extremely limited options. It was this or a pink and orange Trolls costume. I picked the lesser of two evils.

When the door whips open, her eyes widen, and her mouth falls open.

“Don’t even say it…” I warn her before she can get a word out.

The bubble of laughter that escapes her is iconic even for her. Full belly wheezing as she grips the doorframe and nearly falls over at my expense.

“Are you done yet?” I cross my arms, fighting back a smile because her laugh is contagious.

Tears stream down her cheeks, and now I know this was the worst idea of all time.

“Wh-what’re you wearin’?” She finally manages to speak between catching her breath.

“You’re lucky this isn’t a date because I’d leave your ass here.”

“Liar.” She steps forward and tugs on one of the dinosaur spikes. “You look adorable.”

“I’m twenty-five. I don’t wanna lookadorable.”

“The kids are gonna love it,” she reassures me.

I finally take a moment to look at her outfit. Tight red dress with a slit and a garter around her thigh. Black heels that make her a few inches taller. Chunky gold bracelets and hoops in her ears to finish off the look.

Fuck, she looks sexy.