Page 32 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“You’re making it really hard to stay away from cowboys, Jackson.” With a sigh, the phone moves, and the rustle of blankets sounds. The screen shows Riley again, tucked under blankets with a pillow under his head.

“I think you deserve to know why I avoid cowboys. How much time do you have?”

“All night if you need it.”

Riley nods, and he moves around again. Now I’m positioned to see him with both hands tucked under his cheek.

“Let me tell you about a guy named Chase and how he broke my heart.”

nine

Riley

“You told him everything? Over the phone?”

“Over a video call, yep. Every single thing about Chase. Right from how he hired me as an escort first to how he kept coming back and I wouldn’t accept his money. The charade I fell for and how I loved the whole cowboy bit he played.”

It wasn’t easy telling Jackson about Chase. But Jackson asked me twice why cowboys and rodeos were on my list of avoidances. I didn’t owe him an explanation, really. But even as a friend, I felt like I should tell him. I confide in Gabe most days, and he’s great, but Jackson lives here in Kissing Ridge, and it’s nice to have that one person you can count on no matter what close by.

Even if I could maybe see myself dropping my walls for someone like Jackson.

Maybe.

“So, how did he take it?”

Leaning back in my office chair, I roll my eyes with a soft laugh.

“Like the fucking gentleman that he is, Gabe. He apologizedforChase. Doesn’t even know the guy, and he apologized for his actions. Then he had to go on and tell me that even if we never date for real, he still wants to be my friend and show me not all cowboys are assholes like Chase.”

“To be fair, Rye, can you even say Chase was a real cowboy? He entered a few rodeos here and there that we know of, and he had a failing beef farm. Hardly a cowboy. Not like this Jackson guy who sounds like he has more chivalry in his pinky than Chase’s entire body.”

Ouch. That’s too close for comfort.

“Don’t bring logic into this. I judged him and placed him into a do-not-go category. Is it the right one? Probably not, but there it is.”

Gabe hums under his breath, and I want his opinion. It’s why I called, but I don’t want to hear it now. Because Gabe has a way of picking apart all my insecurities and making me face them. Which is what makes him an amazing lawyer, a phenomenal friend, and an annoying ass all at the same time.

“Don’t do the hum thing. Say it.”

“Since you called,” he drawls, and I shake my head. “Here are my thoughts on this. You don’t hate cowboys. It’s a convenient excuse to avoid this guy who makes you feel things. You think if you let anyone else in, they’ll break your heart. A cowboy was just easy for you to dislike. You love romance, Rye. Why do you keep making it for others and not yourself?”

Okay, valid question.

“Because I don’t want to get hurt again. I don’t know, Gabe. I always rush in and fall hard and when the breakup comes, I just…it feels like it’s not for me and I should enjoy romance from afar. You know, watch all theDisneymovies and create the moments for others I won’t have myself. Avoid the pain.”

Gabe laughs. A full-on belly laugh, and my mouth drops open.

“You’re fucking laughing at me? What the hell, Gabe!?”

“Riley, for one minute, listen to yourself. How the hell do people pay you money and trust you to plan weddings and shit when you’re like this? You plan these amazing things for them and what? Think they’re going to fail?”

“Of course not! I want them all to have beautiful lives together. It’s just not something I’ll ever have. It doesn’t affect my job. I can have romance and be a part of it without a breakup is all.” There’s zero chance of having my heart crushed if I’m an observer. “It fulfills me.” I add lamely.

Gabe sighs. “Give him a chance, Rye. He sounds like a good one and you like him. I can do a background check if you want.”

“Really? Wait, no. That would be such a gross thing for me to do. I trust him. Mostly.”

There’s a knock at my door and a silver-haired man pokes his head in. I motion for him to come in.

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