Page 19 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

She rolls her eyes. “No. That’s not why. I wanted to learn self-defense. But the man looks fantastic without a shirt. And I tell him so often.” She dances her eyebrows. “He taught me all kinds of self-defense moves. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind helping you if you want to learn. I mean, it will be a little different than my lessons because I’m married to him, but you know.”

“I have my own self-defense plan. I eat tacos and donuts so that I’m too heavy to be dragged away.” I slap my hip. “All this has nothing to do with eating my feelings.”

She shakes her head. “Offer stands. And now that you and Archer are friends again, maybe it’ll be easier.”

“Friends is stretching it. We’re neighbors. He made that clear.” I slide a tray of donuts into the glass case. “But it’s better than him hating me. So I’ll take it.”

My phone buzzes and I slide it out of my back pocket. No one calls me this early. Except apparently my mom. I haven’t spoken to her in almost a year. I decline the call and get back to work.

If it’s important, she’ll leave a message.

Layla claps. “We need to hurry. There will be a rush of fireman and cowboys in here any minute, and that case is half empty.”

“You make coffee, and I’ll finish up here. No coffee makes for grumpy customers.”

She laughs. “No coffee makes for a grumpy me.”

Never once have I seen Layla grumpy. It’s a wonder we get along so well.

CHAPTER8

ARCHER

It’s been two days since Regretful-Raccoon sent and then deleted her message, but she hasn’t messaged since. And I’m not about to start a new conversation.

I have a few minutes until I need to head over to the mess hall, so I grab my mug of coffee—the single-cup coffeemaker was a great investment—and step out to the back porch. Lettie starts making donuts really early, so I’m not worried about bumping into her out here.

Leaning on the rail, I stare out as the morning light spills golden hues on the hills around us. Birds are chattering with glee about the morning or maybe complaining. It’s hard to tell. As the world wakes up around me, I sip my coffee.

I freeze when a door opens behind me. Staring at the longhorns, I sense Lettie but don’t see her until she’s beside me.

“Good morning.” Her voice is quiet, like she’s trying not to disturb the wildlife.

“I’m surprised you’re here. Figured you’d be at work making donuts.” My full sentences hopefully sound neighborly.

“The donut shop is closed on Mondays.” She backs up a step. “I’ll leave you alone and let you drink your coffee. Sorry to bother you.”

“You can stay. I’m not going to chase you off the porch. You live here too. I just wasn’t expecting you to be here.” I swallow down a gulp of coffee, wishing it would wash away the sour taste in my mouth.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her reach for me but then pull her hand back. “I don’t want to make life harder on you. I’m truly sorry about how all this ended up.”

“I’m fine.”

She wraps a strand of hair around her finger. “You look good. Cowboying seems to agree with you.”

Every single word of her message comes flooding back. And my ego swells a bit.

“Thanks. I like it. This is a great place to work.” I finally turn and look at her. “Want some coffee? I can make you a cup.”

She shakes her head. “I’m good.”

For a couple of minutes, only the birds are talking.

“Are you hungry? I can make us breakfast.” Hope is etched on her face, which is my cue to skedaddle.

After downing the last of my coffee, I shake my head. “I’ll eat in the mess hall. Ava cooks for all of us.”

“That’s nice. Do y’all eat around one big table? Like in the movies?”

---