Page 188 of Ride a Cowboy

Sienna shook her head. “No. You weren’t wrong. We were so young when we started dating.”

Several of the diners at nearby tables began watching the drama unfolding. Daniel wasn’t sure how to stop what was happening. He wasn’t sure he should, so instead he dropped back into his seat and held his tongue.

Josh grasped her hand. “You always said we were lucky because we met when we were young. These past few months without you have been so hard for me.”

Tears began to form in Sienna’s eyes. Daniel swallowed hard. Jesus. What if Sienna felt the same?

“We needed the time apart, Josh. I said I knew who I was, but I didn’t. I do now.”

Daniel studied her face, hope warring with fear. Sienna never glanced Daniel’s way, her gaze holding steadfast on Josh.

Then Josh knelt, sucking all the air out of the room. A woman at the table next to them gasped softly.

No, Daniel thought. No. He didn’t need to speak the word. Sienna did.

“No.” Panic covered her features. “Oh my God, no. Josh, stand up.”

Josh didn’t hear the warning, didn’t understand. “I love you, Sienna Compton. I’ve loved you since I was fifteen years old.”

“Don’t do this.” Sienna spoke quietly. “Stop. Stop right now. Please.” Her voice broke on the last word, but Josh was a man on a mission. No force of nature was going to prevent this proposal.

Sienna shook her head, but Josh forged on. “It’s just like you’ve always said. We’ll spend the rest of our lives with each other, grow old together.”

Sienna sucked in a painful gasp when Josh produced a ring from his pocket. “Shit,” she breathed.

“I stopped by my parents’ house first. This ring belonged to my grandmother. I was on my way to Compass Ranch when I saw you. Sienna Compton, will you marry me?”

The question hovered in the air. The restaurant had gone silent, every eye in the place on the odd tableau they created. Daniel and Sienna seated at the table. Josh on his knees holding out a ring.

Daniel wasn’t sure how much time passed. To him, it felt like a millennium as he waited for the response that could destroy him.

Sienna froze, her mind struggling to process what was going on. As she glanced around the room, she could tell every person there was waiting for her answer.

God. How long had she been sitting here? A year? A minute? Had her heart beat once? Twice? She had to speak.

“No.” Sienna shook her head. It brought her no joy to hurt her first love, but she wouldn’t lie to Josh. Wouldn’t pretend anymore. “I won’t marry you, Josh.”

Josh’s face reflected a myriad of emotions, each of them passing quickly. Confusion, denial, anger, sadness. “I said I was sorry. I was wrong. Really wrong. Please forgive me, take me back.”

He truly thought the past few months could be put away so easily?

She hated hurting him. God, she despised what she was doing right now, but it simply couldn’t be helped. “Stand up, Josh,” she whispered.

The waitress came back with their drinks and softly asked if they’d like another chair.

Daniel nodded.

She brought one and Josh sank into it heavily. “Tell me what to do to make the last few months up to you, See. I’ll do anything.”

It was so like Josh to look to her for the answer. Then she remembered something Vivi said. “You are a wonderful man, Josh. You’re just not my wonderful man.”

She glanced at Daniel and saw him blink with surprise when she smiled at him.

For the first time since he entered the restaurant, Josh seemed to really take notice of Daniel. “You and Daniel?”

She nodded, then licked her lips nervously as she held Daniel’s gaze. “I’m in love with him.”

Daniel didn’t move, didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. His eyes said it all. She’d never been gazed at with such compassion, adoration…love.

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