Page 48 of More Than Falling in Love

Kent:Good.You look tired.Work treating you okay?

Me:We’re in the middle of some stuff, but it’s all good.

I can’t wait till the gag is removed and I can share the good news with Kent.And Dad and Ava.

“He’ll be happier if you actually eat.”Sarah sets forks and drinks on the table.

I nudge her food toward her spot, then open mine.“Sometimes I don’t even think about food until he mentions it.”

She rolls her eyes.“I don’t even get that.My stomach reminds me when I haven’t eaten.”

“Mine has become accustomed to being ignored.”But smelling the food reminds me of how hungry I am.“Ask me whatever.”

“Why did you keep him a secret?”She fans herself.“One hunk of a secret, by the way.”

With food in my mouth, I have time to think through what I should say.“Have you ever met someone and had instant attraction?I’m not talking about love at first sight, but chemistry.Obviously, he’s good-looking, but he also has this presence.I’m pretty sure I heard Cupid giggle when I met Kent.”Eating slows down the conversation, but now that I’ve tasted food, I can’t just let it sit there.

“Like when I met Damien.”She sighs, a giddy smile tugging at her lips.“But go on.”

“Anyway, I met Kent and his son at the same time.And Mason, that’s the kid, jumps into my dad’s arms.Not once has my dad ever mentioned grandkids, but that was my first thought when I saw them interact.So I immediately had a sweet spot for this kid.That was before I knew he’d lost his mom.”I brush at my cheek, hoping I can make it through this discussion without dissolving into sobs.

But Sarah knows my story.

“My dad said that his little girl was coming to visit, and Mason thought I’d be close to his age, someone he could play with.”

“Aww.”

“Right?So within minutes of being introduced, Mason tells me that he and his dad will give me a tour of the ranch.Kent barely looked at me during that conversation and during breakfast.But they gave me a tour and while we were near the river, I managed to fall in because I’m me.Kent tried to stop my fall and ended up in the water with me.Falling isn’t as scary when you’re being clutched to that chest.I’m just saying.”

“You’re falling for him.”

“I’m going to need more time before that’s funny.Because I fell again on this last trip.Guess who landed in the water with me.”I don’t bother explaining how I fell into a nasty watering tank.“We spend lots of time together because of Mason, and we chat after he goes to bed most nights.Just a little.Kent clams up when it comes to his past, but he’s been hurt.It’s one of those situations where I can’t help but feel like if things were different, Kent and I might…” Finishing the thought would jinx the tiniest possibility it could come true.“But things aren’t different.”

“I’m sorry.”

I shrug.“It’s just the way things are.He’s a great guy, and I’m happy to have him as a friend.”

“What if something changes?”

“I’m not throwing the deal into chaos, and even without that, I’m not sure I’d quit my job and leave.I love what I do.And there aren’t many ranches in and around Manhattan.Besides, it would be wrong for him to pull Mason away from everyone there.”Talking it out has helped confirm that all my reasons for shoving aside my attraction are valid.“I don’t anticipate big changes.Even if he were suddenly my neighbor, he'd still be unavailable.”

She pushes her take-out container to the side.“Are you happy?”

I blink, surprised by the question.“Very.I still love it here.And I’m fortunate enough to afford flights back and forth.But feeling like home is in two places is weird.”I finish off the last bits of my food.“But yeah, I’m happy.”

“Good to hear.”She checks the time, then taps on her phone.“I should go.Damien is wrapping up at the office.”

“Thanks for listening.”I give her a hug.“And I’m sorry for not saying anything before.”

“I get it.Does he wear a cowboy hat?”

“Sometimes.”

“Washboard abs?”

I shake my head, picturing a shirtless Kent.“Muscular, but he has just the right amount of soft around the middle.”

“Little bit of a dad bod, huh?”She wiggles her eyebrows and heads for the door.“See you tomorrow.”

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