Page 14 of Forever with the Mountain Man

“What man goes to bed at eight every night?”

“A shepherd. He’s up before the crack of dawn working.”

She shakes her head, her expression filled with disbelief. “Well, you’re going to find out tomorrow. Sounds like you have a lot to sort out. Is he excited about you visiting?”

“He doesn’t know. It’s a surprise.”

“What? Why?”

“Because McDuffey insisted I surprise him in his native environment.”

“Gosh, this is starting to sound like an episode ofCheatersor something.”

Fierce cheating on me? I only know him from our online exchanges, and I have always found his hatred of texting a little odd. Now that I think back on it, he did get pretty raunchy with me during our first conversation with that whole head between my thighs reference. What if that’s an icebreaker for him with all his conquests? I cross my arms over my chest, frowning. “No need for a makeover if he’s cheater.” But I still can’t believe it. Not after the connection I feel between us.

“What are you talking about?” she asks, narrowing her eyes. “There’s even more reason to slay under those circumstances. You’ve got to go in looking so hot and so pulled together that the man will beg you to stay and promise to give up his unfaithful ways.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I would never fall for that.”

“I wouldn’t, either. But talk about a confidence boost! It’s the only way to break up with a player.”

“Okay, we have not established my Basque shepherd is a player,” I remind, rubbing my hand over my aching heart.

“And if he isn’t, then you’re really going to need super sexy, super lacy panties and bras for this weekend. Girl, I’m so jealous of you! I want my own mountain adventure!”

“Mountain Mates is free to sign up.”

“I am so on it. But this is not about me. Back to you and Henry Cavill. You can’t go in there looking like someone’sgrandma, or the cutie will never learn his lesson. And on the off chance, he’s being truthful about everything? You’ll be able to look back on this weekend as the first time you fucked your husband-to-be, the father of your children, and my future brother-in-law, because, trust, I’m headed out to the country to find and marry Fierce 2.0.”

I can’t stop giggling, even as my heart feels heavy, speculating over what might be happening with him. All I know for sure is I need to find out now one way or the other. And it won’t only be my love life I’m investigating. What happens this weekend will impact my career trajectory moving forward, too. Because if Fierce is who he claims to be, I’ll never deliver the article McDuffey wants. And if Fierce is lying, I’ll have a nameplate to polish on my new desk at the Chronicle…with the tears from my heartbreak.

“What are you worrying about?” Callie asks, staring at me perceptively across the table.

“I’m trying to figure out how to have my cake and eat it, too. You know, give McDuffey the article he wants and, hopefully, find out Fierce is everything he claims to be.”

She shrugs. “The first part, I wouldn’t worry too much about. Fierce is a mountain man. What are the chances he reads the San Francisco Chronicle anyway?”

“You’ve got a point.” But that reasoning sits heavy with me. I would never want to found a relationship on deception.

“You know what else I’m right about?”

I arch an eyebrow.

“The fact it’s makeover time. We’re going on a shopping spree, and then let the fashion show begin.”

“Are we starting at your place or mine?”

“No offense, but I won’t step foot in your apartment complex after dark. That place is scuzzy as hell. So, I vote for your placeand then mine. You might as well pack up, so we can do a bestie sleepover. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Probably around seven or so. I’d like to avoid the weekend rush.”

Callie’s face beams as she stomps her feet excitedly. “This is going to be so much fun. It’s been way too long since we did a bestie sleepover!”

Chapter Three

FIERCE

My day started before dawn, even though I didn’t sleep a wink last night. Despite her promises, Felicity never called, and when I tried to reach her, she didn’t pick up. I tried to excuse it as a one-time thing. But the same thing happened with my morning call, sending my imagination spiraling in a thousand different directions.

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