Page 55 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Sounds good.” Gwen hopped up and looked at me like I hung the moon.
“Ooh, I want to go on a hayride.” Mercy hopped up off a hay bale too.
We found the hayride and our group loaded up on the trailer with hay bales.
“Clark replied.” Gwen leaned up against me. She played the video. A nice-looking man about her age, wearing a straw hat, appeared on screen.
“I hope you’re having fun at the farm.” He beamed. “You can absolutely have a mini cow. But, you have to keep it at my parents’ place and my baby sister will adopt it. Miss you!”
“Now we’re in for it. Clark just told her she could have a cow.” Dean chuckled. “Have you met Clark yet?”
“Not yet. Carlos, Dimitri, and Nia, though.” I realized two things. Clark had a giant crush on Gwen, and she had no idea.
I’d also seen Clark bare-ass naked. More than once.
We were sponsored by the same boxer company and had done a calendar shoot together last year. It was about time to do it again, too.
The hayride took us around the farm. Gwen continued to lean against me, probably not even knowing what she was doing.
Our group got off the hayride and walked to the axe throwing booth.
Getting our axes and a quick safety lesson, we headed over to the area. I helped Gwen with her grip when it was her turn. “Focus,” I told her.
She got it right in the middle and did a little dance. “I did it.”
“Yes, you did. Feel better?” I couldn’t help but grin.
She smiled. “Thanks. So much better.”
“Let’s get food and find a table.” Gwen took off running.
Mercy, the brunette teenager, gave me an expectant look. “You hurt her and I will break your stick. Understood?”
Without waiting for me to answer, she ran off to join Gwen.
Well, then.
“Be gentle with Ladybug?” Dean turned to me.
AJ’s eyebrows rose. “TheYetiis literally letting her drag him around the city, eating muffins. How much gentler can he be?”
“Gwen has been very kind to me, introducing me to my new city. It’s an excellent distraction for us both.” My voice lowered. “Her ex crushed her in so many ways. I enjoy seeing her happy.”
Mercy and Gwen were now talking to some little girls that looked a bit like AJ.
We got our barbecue and sat down, the music already in full swing. Mostly it was young couples and packs with small children. More than one parent danced with a child and little kids twirled around on the dance floor together to the lively tunes. People also danced with each other, and my heart twisted seeing such deep love on display.
Gwen squinted at her barbeque brisket, ribs, and corn. “I thought we were having burgers.”
“Try it,” I told her. “It’s pretty good, too.”
“As good as Cooter’s?” Gwen asked, picking up a rib.
I laughed. “If it was, I’dnevertell.”
By the way Gwen devoured everything, I think she liked it.
“Hold up. Your nose must have been hungry.” Taking my thumb, I brushed the sauce off of her nose.
