Page 42 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“Yeah, right,” said Candy. “You mean, he’s only calling itstaying at his placeuntil he figures out how to persuade you to make it permanent.”

“I don’t know yet. I … I’d like to think it might work out that way.”

Ari nodded. “I believe it will. You’re smart to take it one step at a time.”

She nodded. “This feels smart. We’re being honest with each other. There’s something there between us …”

Candy laughed. “Yeah – something like fireworks! Trav’s sexy …” She looked around at the others. “What?” She looked down at her now empty glass. “It’s not just the wine talking. He is! I mean, he’s not my type but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate sexy when I see it.”

Ari laughed. “I’ll admit it – I think he’s sexy too.”

Libby sat back in her seat. “Don’t look at me! I see all of those guys as brothers. For one thing, I’ve known them since we were all kids, and for another …” She shuddered. “It’d feel almost incestuous to think about any of them that way.” She smiled at Retta. “I can tell you that he has the biggest heart of any of them.”

“I …” Retta looked around at them. “I haven’t dated anyone in the longest time. I’ve never dated anyone like him. And … it doesn’t even feel like dating.” She looked at Ari. “Like you said, it feels smart to take things one step at a time, and more than that it feels … I don’t know … real … that we’re talking about everything as we go. I’ve never had a relationship like that.” She shrugged. “I suppose it’s just a grown-up relationship – and that’s not something I’m used to. It’s been so long since I was in a relationship, I wasn’t even really a grown up back then.”

The other three women smiled at her.

“What?” she asked. “Now I feel stupid for having admitted that.”

“Don’t!” said Candy. “It’s far from stupid. I don’t think a lot of people ever get to experience a relationship like that. You might call it grown up, but I think it has less to do with age and more to do with … maturity?”

“And personality,” added Ari.

Retta felt bad that Libby had dropped her gaze and was fiddling with her napkin. She didn’t know much about her story with her ex-husband, but she knew that there was a lot of hurt there.

“Anyway, enough about me.” She raised her glass. “I want to drink to you guys. I always wanted to have a group of girlfriends, and now I do.”

They all clinked their glasses together, and Libby held her gaze.

She laughed, feeling a little self-conscious. “Why are you looking at me like that? Was I too presumptuous – including myself in your group of friends?”

“Hell no!” Libby smiled. “If I had a funny look on my face, it was because you surprised me.”

“In what way?”

“I would have thought that you had a whole bunch of girlfriends at home.”

Candy nodded. “I don’t mind telling you that I was a little intimidated.”

“By me?” Retta asked incredulously.

Candy nodded.

“Me too,” said Ari.

She shook her head in disbelief. “What on earth is there about me that would intimidate anyone?”

Libby laughed. “Well, for starters, you’re so damn attractive.”

“And you’re so sweet,” said Ari.

“And I thought that you’d be the kind of woman who has loads of friends. You know – that you might be the cliquey type,” said Candy.

Retta couldn’t help laughing. “That’s so not me – any of it!”

Candy met her gaze. “You can’t deny that you’re beautiful, and you’re a real sweetheart. It looks like I’m the only one who had it wrong – and I’m glad I did. I’m glad you’re just as down to earth as the rest of us.”

She nodded. “If it makes you feel any better, I had it just as wrong about you guys. I was nervous that you all might be a bit cliquey, and I’d be the odd one out.”

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