Page 89 of Always a Bridesmaid
Was that good? Bad? She wanted to feel special because he’d brought her, but what if that meant Cheryl’s warning was warranted? That Ford McGuire bounced from female to female, always looking for greener pastures?
And how much longer could she delay making a decision before she fell back into old patterns and made too many excuses for a guy who didn’t bother making any of his own?
…
“Are you and Violet an official thing now?” Lexi asked, fists on hips, as if it were a reason to scold him instead of to celebrate.
While he’d grown accustomed to Lexi’s fancy manners and boundless enthusiasm and appreciated how quickly she’d embraced small-town life, Ford felt like he’d never quite gotten on the right footing with her.
Too backwoods, he supposed, although she’d accepted that side of Shep.
He glanced at Murph, who shrugged. “Lexi said jump, and I just asked how high.”
Lexi lowered her eyebrows and turned to Addie. “You honestly don’t know why I’m asking?”
Addie grimaced. “Not a clue.”
At least the exasperated sigh seemed to apply to both of them. “Okay, let me go old-school on you, then. Ford, what are your intentions with Violet?”
He intended to take her home and give her as many orgasms as possible. Never let it be said he didn’t learn anything, though, because instinct and experience told him that wasn’t the answer Lexi was searching for.
“Relax. She and I are just getting acquainted.” Ford nudged Addie. “In the biblical sense, if you know what I mean.”
Addie rolled her eyes. “I always know what you mean.”
Another sigh from Lexi. “That’s what I was worried about. Are you just having fun, or is there more to it?”
In spite of landing plenty of inches below his throat, Ford tugged at the collar of his T-shirt in an attempt to get more air. “We haven’t bothered labeling it.”
“Do you know anything about women?” Lexi asked as she paced the deck, and while he assumed the question was meant for him, Addie shrugged. “You’re thinking it’s all fun and games and whatever happens, happens. Meanwhile, she’s thinking you’re connecting and on your way to something real.”
Lexi stopped her pacing directly in front of him. “And if you’re willing to put in the effort, I’m all for it. But Violet’s been hurt before. If you’re only playing with her heart—”
“I’m not that cruel,” he said, offense churning in his gut. “It’s not like I go out with women planning on playing them.” In the past, he hadn’t thought a whole lot about their feelings, but he’d always been up-front about not getting too serious.
“I’d never call you cruel. But sometimes things end up broken, even when you don’tplanto break them.”
That statement hit him in the solar plexus. “So, what? You’re telling me to leave Violet alone?”
Another hit, harder, leaving him short of breath.
“Wait,” Addie said. “Violet’s good for him—I see a difference. And I can tell Ford likes her. He and I have talked about him getting serious and settling down.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Ford said, throwing up his hands. “I never said I was ready to settle down. More like I’d think about it.”
Now Addie took up the stern expression, crossing her arms for emphasis. “Seriously? Can you honestly say your life doesn’t feel fuller lately? Like a piece that you didn’t realize was missing has suddenly clicked into place?”
He couldn’t deny either of those things. “I care about her, yes. Violet’s funny. Smart. Sexy. She’s got this energy… And other times she’s calming. Plus, I never know what’s going to pop out of her mouth.”
His burgeoning feelings for her scared him, frankly, but he wasn’t going to own up to that.
Besides, it was akin to the fear he felt after cliff diving or rappelling. Adrenaline-fueled with a promise of adventure. “I just… I like her.”
“I like her, too,” Lexi said, loud enough the words echoed across the lake. “That’s why I’m telling you that if you’re not serious about her…” She took a breath. “Ford, she thought she was going to get married, and the guy ended up destroying her heart and doing a real number on her self-esteem. At one point, she’d given up on men, and I’m afraid next time she won’t change her mind. Do you want to be responsible for that?”
If it was other men besides him, then yes, yes he did. “Why does everything have to be ride or die? Why can’t we have fun and see where it leads? I can tell you I’m more serious about her than I’ve ever been with anyone else.”
“That’s good.” Lexi softened her voice and patted his shoulder. “I don’t mean to come across so harsh. While you and I may not always understand each other, I know you’d do anything for your family and friends. You’re a great guy, and the matchmaker in me wants you and Violet to see how perfect you are for each other.”
