Page 132 of The Wayward Son

She held up a hand. “Let me finish. I have this fear you’ll figure that out one of these days and wonder what the hell you’re doing with me.”

He looked at her for a moment, then went to the bench and sat down. He took her hand. “After all the bullshit I put up with when we were kids, do you really think there’s anything you could do now to make me want to leave you?”

She looked at him. “Was I really that bad?”

He laughed. “Um…yeah. You know, I got a lot of flak from everyone for hanging out with you.”

“Why did you?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. We had fun. And you were unpredictable. You weren’t like anyone else I knew or have known since.”

“Are you sure you want to be with an unpredictable woman?”

“You’re not so unpredictable anymore. Mostly. You still surprise me now and then.” He put his arms around her. “Can we be done with this now?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

He leaned in and kissed her. “Good. These last couple of days sucked.”

“Can I come over tonight?”

“I insist on it.”

“I get off at twelve.”

“I’ll wait up for you.”

At twelve-thirty, Jade knocked on the door. Sawyer went to open it and scowled at her.

“Quit knocking on the door. Just come in.”

She smiled. “You could be doing something private in here.”

“Like what?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Naked yoga?”

“Is that a thing? And honestly, would you really mind walking in on me doing a naked downward dog?”

She started laughing. “Oh my gosh, that is…an interesting picture.”

He pulled her inside and closed the door, then locked it. “Sage isn’t nearly as polite as you.” He put his arms around her and kissed her. “I missed you Skittles.”

“I missed you too.” They went to the couch and sat down.

“Tell me all about your first night at work. Any obnoxious cowboys I need to have a chat with?”

“It was a pretty calm night. I made a crazy amount of tips.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“The weekends will be insane.”

“These cowboys like to take care of their bartenders and cocktail waitresses. Just think how much more you’d make if you wore some of those short cutoffs.”

She shook her head. “Do you really want all those cowboys staring at my ass all night?”

“No. Jeans are great. Maybe you could wear a big pullover sweater, too. Or a hoodie.”

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