Page 25 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

TWENTY-FIVE

SHANNON

I weighed the cost of talking business with Declan during our date.

We hadn’t seen each other in almost a week and part of me simply wanted to have a fun evening, enjoying a real date.

We were going to Buckman’s that night, a hybrid dinner and gaming spot where we could feast on burgers, then have fun throwing axes and playing darts afterward.

I could imagine how intense the friendly competition was going to get, and the types of bets we’d make to be paid off between the sheets.

But I wanted to talk business too, because I was taking on so many improvements he’d suggested, and I wanted him to know it.

I felt giddy about what the changes meant for the future of my program.

Things were finally looking up for me, and the mare I so desperately wanted was within reach.

I just needed to iron out a few details with Declan before presenting the first part of the changes to my brother for his review and—hopefully—approval.

I glanced at my phone. He was due to pick me up in twenty minutes, but I was ready to go, feeling antsy and excited about the chance to spend time with Declan.

I’d actually gone shopping and picked up a few cute outfits, anticipating that Declan and I were going to be going out more often.

Tonight, in addition to the new dress, I was wearing new lingerie, a black lace push-up that made my breasts look incredible and panties that highlighted my perky cheeks.

I couldn’t wait to show it off, and was eagerly awaiting what he’d do to me once he saw how sexy I looked.

My heart fluttered at the thought of being in his arms again. I’d been having arousal-inducing fantasies about him all day and I couldn’t wait to make them real.

When my phone rang and I saw that it was him, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

“Early, huh? Guess you couldn’t wait to see me,” I teased. “I’m on my way outside. Be right there.”

“Shannon, wait, hold on. There’s been a change.”

I froze in the hallway.

“What do you mean?” I asked haltingly.

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t make it right now. I got called in to do a patient visit.”

“But why ? You said Ruth gave you the night off.” I hated that I sounded like I was whining.

He sighed. “Yeah, but tell that to a limping horse. Becca’s got a stallion that’s suddenly lame and she’s really worried.

I don’t want Ruth handling it because this particular guy is a handful, and she’s already on the injured reserve list. The last thing she needs to be doing is tangling with a grumpy horse.

Plus, I’m still trying to make up for the phone incident. ”

If it had been anyone else, I would’ve understood, but hearing that Declan was heading out to Becca’s on what was supposed to be our night was salt in the wound. I knew I was supposed to tell him that it was okay, that I didn’t mind—and yet the words wouldn’t come.

“Are you mad?” Declan asked.

It took me a few seconds to collect my thoughts. I couldn’t fault Declan for doing his job, but still… there was something about him going to Becca’s that made me feel petty and jealous.

“I’m not mad, just disappointed,” I managed, hiding the hurt. “I was looking forward to seeing you. I even bought a new outfit to wear tonight.”

“Yeah, I was excited to see you, too,” he said with a groan. “What kind of outfit?”

I grinned, even though I was hurting. “The kind that you’d have to take off to see everything.”

“Well, damn. Maybe it won’t take too long. I might still be able to make it for drinks and darts if you don’t mind waiting a bit?”

The thought of sitting on the couch all dressed up while Becca flirted with Declan made my blood start to boil.

“I don’t know. Do you have any idea how long it’ll take? I don’t want to be out late. I’m tired as it is.”

I was starting to sound curt, but I couldn’t help it.

Becca. Winning again .

He sighed. “I have no clue. The horse is only part of the issue. Becca tends to get chatty, you know what I mean?”

I frowned. Of course I did, and Declan probably enjoyed it, because no one could resist it when Becca fluttered her lashes and giggled.

“Can’t you just tell her you have other appointments or something? Do you have to hang out for longer than the time you need for the appointment?”

“That’s the tricky part,” he answered. “She’s got one of the biggest breeding operations in the area?—"

I made a disgusted noise.

“ For now , it’s the biggest for now,” he said quickly, trying to backpedal.

“Anyway, she’s a big-deal customer for Ruth.

Plus, she knows a lot of people, and I don’t want her saying that I hurried through her appointment.

Stall-side manner counts in my business.

Shannon, you have to understand that my hands are tied. ”

I did understand but I wasn’t happy about it.

I was still standing in the hallway, my purse dangling from my hand and grazing the floor.

Part of me thought that I should just turn around, march back into my room, and throw on something comfy.

I wanted to say I had other options for the evening, but we both knew it was a lie.

“Fine.”

“Fine what?” he asked. It sounded like he was walking quickly, and I could imagine him rushing around to go see Becca and not me. “Fine with pushing our plans back to later? Are you going to wait for me?”

“If it’s not too late when you finish with Miss Big Barn, then maybe we can grab a drink or something. Text me when you’re leaving.”

“Okay, I will,” Declan answered, sounding a little happier. “That’s great. I hope it won’t be too long. I’d also really like to see you in that outfit. Text me a pic?”

“I’ll think about it.” I was never one of those people who sent out pics hoping to get likes or whatever.

We hung up and I walked toward the sitting room, hoping that no one else was around so I wouldn’t have to talk about where Declan was and how I’d gotten stood up—or at least, put off.

Even though I knew in my rational, calm brain that Declan was just doing his job, the thought of Becca hanging out with him while he worked aggravated me.

What if she cast her spell on him and he couldn’t resist?

I felt myself becoming more and more angry as I imagined the two of them dealing with the stallion, and Becca flirting because she didn’t know how to talk to a man without flirting.

And Declan… receptive to it because men always were.

Plus, he certainly hadn’t seemed to mind Becca flirting with him when we were at the Rooftop Bar together.

He’d fallen all over himself to make it clear to Becca that he was available.

The situation had changed since then, but my stomach sank as I realized that I honestly wasn’t sure how much it had changed.

It wasn’t like Declan and I had the talk about whether or not we were exclusive.

I’d been foolish enough to think that he and I were heading toward something real, but between his evasiveness since we’d slept together and now the way he was prioritizing Becca over me, I was starting to realize that maybe I’d been wrong.

But then again, he did ask to see a pic.

I looked around the room for the best spot and headed over to my camera.

Setting the timer, I set it down and backed up so he could see the full outfit, but couldn’t bring myself to smile.

I texted it to him before I could change my mind, then threw myself on the couch and tried to think about anything other than Becca.