Page 77 of Extreme Romancing in Idaho

Shuffling a step closer to her, I took one of her hands and rubbed my thumb on her palm, never dropping my gaze from hers. “I can think of a few good reasons to stay. One in particular.”

Stiffening her posture, she tugged her hand from mine. “Well, thanks for the burger.”

The automatic doors whooshed open, and she rushed back inside. I’d rattled her. She couldn’t only think of me as the big bad wolf coming to blow her house down if I had goals and dreams.

Wandering back to where Myles was parked, I got in with a slight smile on my face.

“That took longer than you said.” Myles backed out of his spot. “I’ll never believe you again. ‘I’m going to drop off this burger. Be back in two minutes.’” He air-quoted and did a sad imitation of my voice.

“She had a few things to go over with me. You know, farm stuff.”

Myles out right laughed at me. “You mean the stuff you’ve been hiring our crew to do?”

“Shhh … if you don’t say anything, no one will find out.”

The workload Angie laid on top of me had become unbearable, and I remembered …I have money. So, I cheated.

New construction in the neighborhood had slowed with the supply chain, and it’d been a headache trying to get the houses built without destroying the budget. Myles needed to keep his full attention on being CDC’s lead foreman, but still, I pulled him away to help get my list done, taking on Angie’s work as well as mine so she could get the sleep she needed.

A few times this week, I’d even tasked guys from landscaping to get the hay bales off the fields and hoe the beet field. Angie had no idea since I only employed the extra workforce during her shifts at the hospital and put in sixteen-hour days when she didn’t.

Tonight, I took great pleasure in the fact that the pea field harvest was getting finished while Myles and I went to the climbing gym. Some things were worth paying for.

“You’re so far gone with this girl you can’t tell up from down.” Myles pulled out of the parking lot into traffic.

“We’re friends.” If I could even call us that. When she wasn’t avoiding me, we still argued. Fighting Angie sparked more life in me than jumping out of a plane.

“You’re telling me you haven’t made a move on her?” He stopped at the red light and turned to look at me with one skeptical eyebrow raised.

I shrugged and half-smiled, unable to hide the truth from my oldest friend.

“Remi.” He shook his head, faced forward, and slammed on the accelerator when the light turned green. “What are you thinking?”

I scrubbed my right hand down the side of my face. “I don’t know. She’s so amazing and—”

“Has a vagina?”

I glared at him. “Not fair. Last time I checked, you like vaginas too.”

“Not ones that could cost me my lifetime goals and dreams.” He flipped on his blinker and turned toward old-town Twin Falls. “We’re this close to being free to open our store—”

“You think I would jeopardize that?”

“With your track record … I’m not sure. Angie isn’t your usual type.”

I wasn’t aware I had a usual type. “Meaning?”

“She’s a girl who wants commitment. Remember what Blake said.” He turned the wheel and swerved into a parking spot facing the gym. The car jerked to a stop as he shifted into park before coming to a complete stop.

“Of course, I remember.”

“She’s the first woman who hasn’t cowered to you or worshipped you, and you’re not one to back down from a challenge. That’s all this is. She’s another Katie Carlenti.”

College. Junior year. Katie wore her principles on her shoulders like a cape. It took me a while, but eventually, she gave in to my persuasive powers … like they all did. It didn’t end well for Katie and me. She wanted more than I was willing to give, so when she presented me with an ultimatum, I left.

Every time I thought of a woman` in my past, I imagined a guy treating Angie that way. I squirmed in my seat, uncomfortable with the nauseating guilt settling in my stomach. I’d used Katie horribly. How could I have been so unfeeling, self-centered, and … wrong?

“Angie’s not Katie. I’ve never felt this way—”

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