Page 35 of Wicked Cowboy
“Then you’ll have to find your own way to apologize for being a jerk.” Pop interrupted and headed off.
I spoke to his back. “I wasn’t.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s usually easier to live with a woman if you’re willing to apologize. My own father had told me that, but I never listened. You probably should as you have a good one.”
The gnawing in my gut saying that I'd hurt her today was there. And I needed to apologize.
I called out before he disappeared. “Talk to you later, Pop.”
I closed my office and headed to her room. Inside I heard the murmur of her voice and my heart lightened. Falling for Ridley was dangerous. People died near me when I upset them, and Ridley was already worming her way into my heart.
I knocked and waited for her to let me in. I didn’t have flowers or any gift. I needed to get a grip and stay focused on our reality.
And hopefully, we figured out how to make everything work.
Chapter 12
Ridley
Nicole saw everything in life that ever happened to her as the next step to something even better. She blogged and lived a life where she made herself the constant example. Clean living, happiness, and positive self-talk were all her cures.
And she'd just earned her ten millionth follower. Companies fought for her influence, which basically meant my little sister and I had nothing in common except for being family.
I told her how I was marrying Carter, and for a few moments, she didn’t respond, but then she asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Fireworks exploded in my gut that I knew were just my nerves. I put my head in my palm and wished I could say I was a joyful bride, but I said, “Chelsea thrives here.”
Nicole made ahmmsound and then said, “But you need to honor yourself and what makes you happy.”
Happiness was like an elixir of life that drove Nicole to do yoga, eat organic, and share everything she ever did with the world.
I pressed my lips together and finally chose my words, “I don’t know what I want that will make me happy.”
“Do you love Carter?”
Maybe I always had. He was perfect and no one else measured up to the man I'd danced with years ago. He’d been the star of my dreams for years, but that was beside the point. We’d not agreed on feelings. I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, does it? It’s what’s best for Chelsea.”
“You’re being stubborn. Your feelings matter.”
No, they didn’t.
My feelings weren’t important at all and I sat and was completely still when I said, “I’ll never have another chance if I don’t take this one.”
“What does that mean?”
A knock rattled my door and my heart jumped. “I have to go, but wish me luck.”
I opened the door, still holding my phone, and Nicole said, “Is it Carter?"
It was.
I curled my lips and hoped it looked like a smile or a good imitation of one. He pointed to come inside and I nodded.
To my sister, I said, "Yes.”
“Put him on.”
Nicole was a force of nature. I didn’t have her strength. I lowered my hand. “I… my sister, Nicole, wants to talk to you.”
