Page 61 of Take My Love

“Alright.”

“Can we go back to being friends, please?”

She swallows, chewing on her bottom lip. “I’ll try.”

That’s all I can ask for at this point.

“Okay, thanks.”

I don’t see Posey for most of the day, which isn’t unusual since we’re in two different areas of the barn, but I typically see her during lunch when she walks through.

Today they had me milking the goats with the machine, so it went faster. Afterward, we moved some of them to another pasture to clean out the brush. It’s impressive how fast they work.

“I was talkin’ to Jamie on my lunch break and she said Jackson’s free on Saturday. She wants to know if we can double date and go to dinner,” I tell Posey on the drive home. “Would you wanna go or would that be too weird?”

I tread lightly so I don’t cross any boundaries or make things uncomfortable between us again.

“Sure, that’d be fine,” she responds, and although she’s not staring out the window this time, she’s still avoiding my gaze. “As long as you remember neither of us can bring ’em home afterward.”

“I wasn’t plannin’ to but I figured you’d wanna hang out with Jamie.”

She shrugs. “Not if you two are datin’. I’d probably go to her place instead.”

“Oh, right.”

When we arrive at the house, I strip down to my boxer briefs as usual but this time she waits for me.

“Would you wanna go horseback ridin’ with me?”

Her question takes me by surprise, but I’m delighted she asked. “Yeah, definitely. I’ll get changed.”

“Okay, I’ll freshen up and be ready in a few.”

I’m not sure what made her ask but hopefully it means this awkward tension between us will go away.

I haven’t been on a horse in months, but growing up with Warren as my best friend means I know enough to get back on and be comfortable.

Once I’ve changed into jeans and one of my new flannels, I meet Posey in the living room. She’s in jeans with a black cowboy hat on her head, looking cute as hell.

She hands me a bottled water. “Ready?”

“Should I wear one of those?” I point to her head.

She giggles, walking toward the front door. “You, in a cowboy hat?”

“Why’re you laughin’?” I ask, offended.

“You’re more of the baseball cap wearin’ type, city boy.”

I follow her outside. “Okay, what’s it gonna take for you to stop callin’ me that?”

Looking over her shoulder, she flashes a wicked smirk. “Grow up on a ranch or marry into one.”

Catching up to her, I open the passenger side door and help her in. “Hmm..are you proposin’?”

She snorts. “You wish.”

Grinning, I shut the door and walk around to my side.