Page 42 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

When my phone rings and I see my aunt’s name on the screen, I immediately reach for it, shocked at how much time has passed.

“Auntie, I’m so sorry. I lost track of time. I’m still coming over.”

“Is everything okay, Riley? It’s not like you to not call. I was worried.”

“Yeah, it’s…I’ll tell you when I get there? What do you want to eat tonight?”

“I’ve already started the sauce for my lasagna. Just bring your sweet smile and laughter. Oh, and your wallet. I’m whipping your ass in scrabble tonight.”

Snorting a laugh, I save my work and sign out of my laptop before shoving it in my bag to take home.

“I’ll be there in half an hour, and I have a whole jar of coins for you, woman.”

“Bills, Riley. Leave the kiddie coin at home.”

Smiling bigger than I have in days, I end the call with my aunt and head over to her place, hoping like hell that I draw some good letters tonight.

“Ha!” Aunt Agnes finishes placing her letters and sends a smug smile my way.

“Dick? You’re happy you made the word dick?”

Shaking my head and reaching for my wine, I can’t stop the laugh from bubbling out.

“I’m perfectly pleased with myself. Especially to draw that kind of laugh from you.” She leans back in her chair and swirls the rest of her glass of wine. One glass on game nights is what she allows herself. Since she loves it, I don’t nag her over it. Alcohol is onething she shouldn’t have with her meds, but as she likes to say, don’t steal all the fun from me.

I have to admit the laugh felt good. Enough that I need to get something off my chest with her.

“Auntie…I think I made a mistake.”

“Is it like the time you shaved your eyebrows off? Or is it more like when you shopped online while high and then had a living room full of toy cars because you thought they were real and too much of a bargain to turn down?”

“That was one time!” I laugh again at the memory before finally pushing aside my insecurities and laying it out for my aunt.

“There’s this guy—”

She leans forward, interrupting. “I’ve been waiting so long for this! Tell me about him.” My aunt shakes her head. “Wait. A mistake with a guy? That’s not what I’ve been waiting for at all. What happened?”

“I met him at the park. It was kind of blind and very romantic. We met and had lunch, and I liked him. We just had this sort of instant connection, and I was excited to get to know him.”

“That sounds so fairy tale. Meeting in a park must have been nice. Then what happened?”

“Well, turns out he’s a cowboy…and wanted to be a client.”

Aunt Agnes knows very well my issues with cowboys since Chase and she frowns.

“What kind of client? Are you escorting again?”

“No. Nothing like that. He wanted to hire me to help him with his social awkwardness around men he’s attracted to. I didn’t know his name until he showed up in my office.” My thoughts flash to the look on Jackson’s face when he entered my office. His shockmorphed to happiness to see me while I went from shocked to an immediate asshole because of the hat in his hand.

“So, what did you do?”

With a wry laugh, I drain my wine glass. “Well,” I begin as I reach for the bottle and refill the glass. “First, I was a bit of an asshole. Then he was kind and forgiving. Then I debated internally about what to do.” With my glass now full, I take a long swallow. “Then I accepted his offer of a date, but only as a friend because I couldn’t say no.”

“Oh, Riley. Why didn’t you just go out with him for real? Not everyone is like Chase, sweetheart. I know a lot of good men in this town who are cowboys.”

“That’s the million-dollar question. We’ve had two non-dates or whatever, and we’ve texted and called each other while he’s on the road with rodeos. He’s not Chase. I know that, but…it’s really difficult to convince myself it’s okay to ask for more.”

“Is he still interested in you?”

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