Page 46 of Unbearable

“Babe, he offered you a place to stay so you don’t have to sleep on your dad’s couch. He took care of you when you got sick. He rescued you when your date abandonedyou and took you for ice cream after. Dotty, you better go get that damn cowboy before I do,” she said. I let out a defensive groan.

“Yup, definitely not one-sided. Seriously, why not, Dotty? You never do anything for yourself. You maybe have a casual hookup once in a blue moon when I drag you to come out with me, and it never turns into more. If you don’t want to be an old cat lady, you are going to need to put yourself out there. You haven’t dated anyone since Jared cheated on you forever ago.”

Jared and I dated for a year. We got along well because we were never that invested in our relationship. It was easy and comfortable until I found out he was cheating on me with multiple other women and broke it off.

“I don’t even like cats,” I said, and she narrowed her gaze at me. “I know, I know, okay? But it feels like there is just too much history between us. I promise when I get back to Seattle, I willtryto go out on a few dates. Can’t be your third wheel forever.”

Noah glanced away from the camera.

“Uh oh. What’s going on with you?”

“No, no. I’m fine. We are talking about you,” she said.

“Noah.” My voice was stern.

“It’s nothing. John has been distant lately and acting weird. I don’t really know what is going on.”

“I’m sorry. If you need some time, you should come here for your winter break. We could hang out, I can show the ranch, get you the best latte you’ve ever had, and take you to all the local shops.”

“Aw, small towns are so cute. I might actually take you up on that. It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m going through withdrawals.”

After over an hour of catching up, discussingeverything from work drama to recent episodes of our favorite shows, we finally hung up.

Despite the cheerful conversation, the lingering thoughts of Trent gnawed at me. I sighed deeply, then buried my face in my pillow, letting out a muffled scream as I tried to banish the memory of that almost kiss from my mind.

The aroma of Dad’s famous pizza wafted through the air as I stepped into the ranch house.

“Mmm, pizza night.”

I smiled up at my dad when he pulled me in for a hug. “Hi, sweet girl.”

“Hi, Dad.” Colt, Sawyer, Dorian, and Gracie were already in the living room for family dinner. We’ve had a few since I’ve been here, but this is the first one Sawyer made it home for in weeks.

Sawyer spotted me from across the room and came barreling toward me, sweeping me off my feet and giving me a big bear hug.

“I missed you too, big man.” He gave me a noogie and put me down.

“It’s my bye week, so I decided to come home for a few days. Missed you, kid.”

“Uncle Sawyer might have missed you, but not as much asImissed you, Aunt Dotty,” Gracie chimed in. Dorian laughed at his daughter, and I kissed her cheek.

“It’s good to have you home,” I said to Sawyer right as Trent walked through the door. He had been out on the ranch for most of the weekend, so I hadn’t seen him much at all since ouralmostkiss.

“Hey, guys,” he said, barefoot, already having taken off his muddy boots. He took his cowboy hat off and set it on the coat rack before removing his jacket.

I had to intentionally stop myself from staring at him. I remembered Trent as a tall, lanky teenager, but the man standing before me was a far cry from that image. His once gangly frame had filled out with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His hair, tousled and slightly damp from the rain, framed a face that had matured into rugged handsomeness, accentuated by a hint of stubble. Every movement he made was imbued with a quiet confidence, a testament to the years that had passed and the man he had become. My insides fluttered, and it pissed me off because I didn’t want my insides to flutter forhim.

“Looks like you got the brunt of the rain today, huh?” my dad called out to him.

“Sure did. All good, though.” He looked over at me and gave me a small wink. I tried my best to keep my walls up, not allowing him to know how it affected me.

We all sat down at the dinner table. As the conversation flowed, I realized how much I missed this. All my family in one place, enjoying Sunday dinner.

“That was a nice touchdown last week, Sawyer. One-handed too,” Dorian said.

“Don’t inflate his ego,” Colt said, rolling his eyes.

“Uncle Sawyer, did you really catch a football with one hand? Like this?” Gracie exclaimed, demonstrating with her tiny hands as she pretended to catch an imaginary ball.

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