Page 47 of The Roper & the Author

“Walker loved Lily, but she chose Clint,” she rushed out in a shocked gasp of words.

“Yes.”

“I … I can’t believe it. I thought he was falling for me. Oh my. All my bravery. So stupid. I feel like such an idiot.” Why had she thought she could be Walker’s special someone? Why had she tried to enter the real world of relationships? He must still love Lily. Two weeks. He couldn’t heal in two weeks. He’d purposely hid it from her, which said a lot in and of itself, proving he wasn’t over the beautiful and sweet Lily.

Her chest felt splayed wide open with her heart dripping blood onto the hardwood floor. She’d never have Walker. She’d never have love, joy, and a family with him.

Oh, ouch. She rubbed at her chest. She needed to stick with her computer and imaginary world. It was much safer.

“You’re not an idiot, Marci,” Easton said kindly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She shook her head, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

Easton gathered her close as the tears came. She leaned into him and let herself cry. Easton was a nice man, understanding and here for her.

But Walker … How had she let herself fall so hard and fast?

She’d fallen for her perfect cowboy. Walker was also kind and understanding, but his heart had been broken by Lily and Clint. Walker’s heart was unhealed and not his to give away. Everything she thought they had between them had to be one sided. She’d pushed him and teased him and begged him to kiss her. Humiliation at her naïve pushiness only added to the agony.

Righteous indignation filled her for Walker’s sake, and she cried harder. How could Clint and Lily act so casual and happy, teasing, kissing, holding hands openly, knowing they’d damaged Walker?

She prayed for Walker and his shattered dreams, even as she knew her dreams would never come to fruition now.

Confusion filtered in next. How could Walker have kissed her like that last night if he still loved Lily? Marci might be an expert at romance on the page, but she was a child in matters of love in real life.

It was much smarter to hide behind her computer.

She would never love again.

More tears came as her heart broke for Walker and for herself.

Chapter

Fifteen

Walker hadn’t beenable to sleep. He couldn’t get Marci out of his mind. Her laugh, her smile, her touch, her kiss. Everything about her was more than he’d ever longed for. Why couldn’t she be his?

He woke early and checked his texts. He’d responded late last night to the text from Easton that had interrupted the most exquisite kisses he’d ever experienced.

He’d guiltily told his brother he’d do chores first and then meet them for workouts at six. Easton’s text last night had interrupted more kissing with Lily as the guilt Clint talked about feeling set in.

Walker hurried to dress and do chores. He came back into the house at five-forty-five. All was quiet. He took a quick shower, put on workout clothes, and dropped to his knees in the closet to pray for guidance and a clear vision.

He had to get Easton alone this morning and explain that he was falling for Marci, beg his brother’s forgiveness, and tell him he had to be with her. Everything about her was exactly what he’d always wanted. She made him feel special, she made him laugh, and he loved her impetuous nature and Spanish words.Their kisses last night had changed his future. He couldn’t let her go. Could Easton understand? His twin would find the right one to help him heal from Cassie, but Walker was convinced it wasn’t Marci.

Walker had stepped down for Clint when he saw how much Clint and Lily loved each other. Easton would do the same for him. Walker would explain that he hadn’t even known what love was before Marci, that what he’d felt for Lily wasn’t even on the spectrum. Easton would understand fully when he found his right one.

Please let him understand at least partially right now and listen, he prayed.

Standing, he walked through the room. He heard voices outside in the hallway. Walking to the door, he swung it wide and saw …

Easton and Marci hugging.

No!

He swallowed hard, blinked, tried to clear his vision and clear this image.

The picture was still the same. They both lifted their heads to look at him. Marci had tears sliding down her smooth cheeks, and her dark eyes looked … betrayed.

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