Page 63 of Take My Love

“I appreciate your apology, but it’s not necessary. I’m invadin’ your home and personal spaces, it’d be a shock to anyone’s system, especially someone as independent as you. I’ll make sure to stick to PG conversations only.”

“You don’t gotta walk on eggshells for me. I agreed to being friends and to help you move on from your ex, so I should keep to my word without makin’ it weird. We’re roommates and employees, so it’s inevitable our conversations are gonna get personal at times.”

“You can always tell me when I cross the line. I won’t be offended.”

“I’m tryin’ to get better at communication and not be so guarded. I guess it’s a defense mechanism from years of feelin’ inadequate in relationships.” She finally glances at me, a soft smile on her glowing face. “But gettin’ me drunk will always be a truth serum I’ll regret the next day.”

Bellowing out a laugh, I grin in return. “You never gotta be embarrassed with me ’cause I’ll never use it against you or make you feel bad about it.”

I suspect that’s what her exes did when she explained her struggles or insecurities.

“That’s why you’re a good person, Silas. And why I get so frustrated thinkin’ about how Aundrea treated you.”

“Even though I’m a city boy?”

“Ha! Yep, even then.” She gives Blythe a little kick and I do the same to Priest while we ride up one of the hillier trails, andthank God Priest knows what he’s doing, because as he climbs up, I’m holding on for dear life.

“How ya doin’?” Posey asks a few minutes later once we’re in a flatter area. “Ready to race back?”

“Wait, what? Noooo…” There’s real panic in my voice because she has no fear factor and I have the luck of a squirrel crossing a highway. I’ll fall off and break my neck.

“This is your time to prove you’re a cowboy!” she calls out, standing up in the saddle stirrups and leaning forward. “Show me whatcha got!”

“No, I’m actually fine with?—”

As soon as Blythe takes off, Priest mirrors her actions and bolts.

“Oh shit, no, no, no. Slow down.” I pull back the reins, clinging tightly so I don’t slide off, but that seems to be the wrong move because it only makes him go faster.

My ass bounces up and down the saddle, not looking anywhere near graceful as I catch up to Posey.

“He won’t stop!” I shout, barely able to breathe in between trying to hang on and hold the reins, breezing past her and Blythe.

Posey flies up next to me and gets close enough to where she can grab the reins and pull back. “Whoa, Priest.”

He finally slows down before my heart gives out, but I’m panting by the time he comes to a stop.

“You okay?” Posey asks.

I blink. “He tried to kill me.”

She snorts. “No, you squeezed your calves after he saw Blythe runnin’. You told him to race.”

“I most certainly did not!”

“Relax your body,” she says softly, handing the reins over, although I’m reluctant to take them. “You’re too tense.”

“No shit. I almost died.”

“Are you always this dramatic?” she teases, shifting Blythe over so there’s space between us.

She adjusts the hat on her head, shaking out her long blonde hair that’s lighter than it was years ago. Since her hair was in a braid all day and she took it out after work, the ends are wavy. I’m tempted to thread my fingers through it and feel the softness against my palm.

When she looks over, she catches me.

“Why’re you starin’ at me like that?” she asks cautiously.

“Lookin’ at you calms my nervous system,” I admit. “Sorry if that’s weird.”