Page 32 of More Than a Good Friend

Obviously, I’d never really consider that as a reason to get married. Having someone to clean my space, I mean.

My parents make marriage look like a business arrangement. They both have jobs. He takes out the trash, and she does everything else. I’ve never even seen them kiss each other.

But on the other hand, the guys at the ranch have marriages that look like something good. And they kiss a lot. And all of them seem happier married than when they were single.

Goldie meets my gaze and smiles, then holds up a slice of cake.

I nod, but before I can get out of my chair, she’s rushing over.

“Here you go.” She brushes hair away from her face. “Want something to drink?”

I take the cake. “I can get it.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m standing. What do you want?”

Letting Goldie wait on me feels wrong. “I don’t want you to wait on me.”

Her brow knits, and she nods as she backs up. “Okay. There’s a cooler over there.”

Somehow, what I said has made her sad. I can’t win for losing right now.

But if I’ve learned one thing today it’s that—well, two things—never hit a piñata that hard and I need to figure out what makes people fall in love. Mason tells everyone it has something to do with kissing, and the kid is pretty smart so maybe he’s right. Goldie says it’ll make my heart go thumpity-thump.

I’ve kissed a lot of women. Done more than that, too, and none of it changed the way my heart thumps.

More info is required.

* * *

Mrs. Flores walksout the back door, holding a trash bag. She hasn’t said more than hello, but that doesn’t stop me from walking over.

I reach for the bag. “I can get that. Just gathering trash?”

Letting go of the bag, she nods. “Yes, thank you. And then if you’ll check the yard for stray candy. It’ll attract ants.”

“Sure. Don’t want the kids to get bit.”

She steps away, then walks back. “It’s not that I don’t like you, Hidalgo. But Goldie needs a husband, and having you with her all the time hurts her chances of meeting someone. You understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

Third thing I’ve learned today is that my friendship interferes with Goldie’s chances of falling in love. But if we don’t spend time together, it isn’t much of a friendship.

I’ll have to talk to Goldie.

After collecting trash, I begin scouring the yard for candy that didn’t get picked up.

Ricky kneels beside me. “Ignore my mom’s advice. Goldie will find someone when the time is right. Sounds like she’s been dating more.”

“She has.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about. My mom has funny ideas. Thinks everyone should fall in love and get married.” He drops a half-opened Tootsie Roll into the cup I’m holding. “Even when Goldie finds someone, you’re still welcome to come over.”

“Thanks.”

“I think we got all of it.” He stands and dusts off his jeans. “Thanks for your help.”

A hand lands on my back, and my smile is instant. “Are you ready? Evan messaged asking to go out again tonight, so I need to rush home and change.” Goldie snags a piece of candy from the cup.

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