Page 40 of Hold Me Until Morning

Someone who shared my same interests when my best friend had been terrified of horses.

My spirit clutched with the errant thought of Brooke. A sheering of sadness. I squeezed my eyes closed for a beat to block the vision that tried to take possession of my mind.

I forced myself to listen to what Paisley was saying, refusing the way my thoughts kept threatening to spiral.

“I’ve been for almost two years now. Back home and engaged to the love of my life,” she said.

“Jeremy?” I hoped she couldn’t hear the way I cringed when I asked it. I’d only met the guy once, but I couldn’t be considered a fan.

Paisley exaggerated a gag. “God, no. My fiancé’s name is Caleb and he’s the hottest man alive. Wait until you see him. But don’t look too close because that man is mine.”

Mirth covered every word, and there was no stopping my giggle. Paisley Dae had a way of spreading joy wherever she went.

I’d met her on my father’s ranch when she’d come to purchase a couple of his horses when she’d been starting her own training facility in Time River. I’d only been sixteen at the time, and she was a couple years older than me. She’d strutted in, wearing cutoffs and boots and a cowgirl hat, so confident and wild and free that I couldn’t help but want to be just like her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t look too close,” I ribbed, then sobered. “It’s so good to hear you’re doing well and are happy.”

“What’s good to hear is your voice. I’m sorry it’s been so long.” I could almost see her pout from across the line.

“Don’t even apologize,” I told her. “Life has a way of doing that, and I’m sorry we lost touch, too. But I am back and living in Hendrickson with my little girl and my grandmother.”

Paisley squealed, her words a ramble that flew out of her. “Oh my God, you’re a mom? I’m a mom, too! I mean, my fiancé has a little girl, too, and she’s absolutely mine in my heart, if you know what I mean? How did I not know this about you?”

“Oh, I don’t know, probably since we haven’t talked to each other in like six years?” I said, completely droll.

She laughed. “Well, that is never going to happen again, Hails Bells.”

A soft chuckle rolled out of me at the old nickname she’d given me. “Oh God, I haven’t heard that one in a long time.”

“Well, get used to it because you’re going to be hearing it a lot. Are you married?”

I tamped down the agitation that wanted to rise, and I somehow managed to keep my voice even when I said, “I’m in the middle of a divorce.”

I just wished it was that simple. Something that could be stamped and stowed away, a mistake that never had to be thought of again.

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry.” She paused for only a second before she rushed, “Come out with me and my friends tomorrow night. We obviously have a ton to catch up on.”

“I’m not sure?—”

“Don’t even try to say no. We’re going out to celebrate my bestie’s brother getting a big job, and it’s the perfect chance for you to meet everyone. Then another time we can get our girls together.”

She stated it like it was already done.

“I…” I hesitated.

In my pause, she demanded, “Say yes!”

Honestly, I could use it.

A distraction.

A night out.

Fun.

Friends, even.

My chest tightened. I’d thought I’d never want to have them again. Had thought it would hurt too bad to even think about putting my heart on the line that way. I’d isolated myself for years.

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