Page 92 of Dashing for Love

“Oh no.”

She smirks. “Yeah. Oh no. God, you’re so fucking stupid.” She jerks her thumb at a bench, and we sit. “Now, are you going to tell me why you acted like such a jerk in the first place?”

I hook a small leash on Killer and let him down to sniff, then study the ocean. “I’m not worthy of her.”

Willa snorts. “No shit. What else?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“No one is worthy of my sister, Matty. There’s more to it than that.” She slides her gaze to me. “Is it your parents?”

Her question is a merciless arrow hitting its target, and I wince as it digs into place. “Maybe.”

She’s quiet, letting me stew in my own pot of emotions, but when she opens her hand on the bench beside me, I thread my fingers through hers and relish the comforting squeeze.

“Did you know they thought I was boring?” I finally say. Her hand squeezes tighter, giving me the strength I need to keeptalking. “Said it more than once. And I don’t think they meant it to be cruel, I think they thought they were making a joke. But it…I guess it dug deep. Even though I told them I didn’t care if I was boring. And when they left town, it didn’t hurt like I thought it would. Like I thought itshould.”

“Your parents are idiots,” Willa says softly. “You’ve brought nothing but excitement and color into my life, Matty. I can’t imagine growing up without your underground kitten ring, or the summer we spent mowing lawns because you wanted to use the money to adopt all the animals at the shelter, or the months we spent talking like pirates.” She laughs. “And now, you’re a cowboy.”

“I am not,” I smile weakly.

“But how does all this come back to Goldie?” she prompts.

I sigh. “I’m scared that she’ll realize I’m not nearly as interesting and amazing as she is. That she’ll wake up one day and decide I’m not exciting enough. That I’m some weak, nerdy vet who spends more time with cows than humans sometimes. And I might miss things because of animal emergencies—big, important things.”

“But all this is conjecture, babe. If Goldie’s deemed you worthy, then shouldn’t you believe her?”

“I’ve really fucked up, haven’t I?”

Her smile is rueful. “You’re not in a great place. But all hope isn’t lost.”

I look at my best friend, utterly helpless. “What do I do?”

“Don’t look at me,” she says, then smirks. “Maybe your buddies can help.”

Chapter 34

Matty

MATTY

I NEED help.

Reid

Have you come to your senses yet?

Ox

I don’t help idiots so if you haven’t then remove me from this chat

Matty

Not a lot of room for you to talk there, buddy. But yes, I have.

Reid

…

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