Page 22 of A Montana Secret Admirer
Reese didn’t know why that bothered him so much. It wasn’t like Mack was interested in Serenity. He had a wife and a kid of his own. Bridger was about the same age as the boys, and they’d been playing together well enough. And yet Reese couldn’t shake this feeling that he should be there with them. He wanted to be part of her life as much as he could.
Serenity wasn’t ready for that, though. The way she’d looked utterly terrified when he’d nearly kissed her had given him more than enough evidence on her train of thinking.
Dropping down on the porch stairs, he looked out at the life that his cousins had made not only for themselves, but for their extended family. When he’d moved here, he’d thought it was great. He couldn’t think of anything he’d ever need besides what they’d given him.
Then he’d watched as Caleb and Noah had made something of themselves financially. Not only that, but they, along with Mack, had found a reason for living.
No, not living—thriving.
They’d found love.
The concept had been foreign enough to Reese. It really hadn’t been that long since his father passed away, and yet it was hard to recall the moments of his parents’ relationship that showed just how in love they were.
Reese had been so caught up in his teenage years that he hadn’t stopped to appreciate what real love could be.
It wasn’t until he started seeing his cousins come into that happiness that he felt that twinge of longing for something of his own.
Then meeting Serenity? That feeling had morphed into a full-fledged bull on a warpath to his heart. What was he going to do if she didn’t open herself up to him?
“Hey, cupid.” He lifted his head and found Sammie wandering toward him with a wicked gleam in her eye. “Have you seen her yet?”
“No,” he muttered. “Mack took her and the boys out for some fun.”
She snickered, and he shot her a dark look. He knew she was laughing at him for his sullen attitude. She didn’t have to say as much for him to catch on. Still, she sidled up beside him on the step and pulled her knees to her chest. “I did what you said. I left the note and the flower. I didn’t get caught. And as far as I can tell, she’s keeping her secret admirer a secret.”
Reese glanced at her.
“When are you going to man up and ask her out?”
He scoffed.
“I’m serious, Reese. Clearly, you have feelings for her. Why not just… ask? What’s the worst that could happen?”
“She’s already said she’s not ready for something serious.”
A strangled sound escaped her lips, and she turned her surprised eyes to him. “And you have known her for how long? What exactly did you ask her for? I was just saying that you ask her on a date.Onedate, Reese.”
He refused to play into her teasing. “I said that I was interested. She shut me down.” He shrugged. “So, I said we could be friends.”
Her groan sounded more like it came from someone who was disappointed than anything else. “You put yourself into the friend zone? That takes skill. And then the flowers? What are you thinking?”
“I’ve been asking myself that same question for a while.” He finally offered her a small smile. “I guess I figured thatrelationships that grow from friendships are stronger. Look at you and Caleb.”
A deep sort of something flashed in the recesses of her eyes—like she was remembering something. When she focused on him again, she gave his forearm a squeeze. “You know? I think you’re right. Friendships make the best foundations.” Then her eyes narrowed. “But that being said, I have to also remind you that deception can put a wrench in any well-intended plan. What do you think she’s going to do when she finds out who’s been giving her those flowers?”
“I guess I assumed she wouldn’t figure that part out.”
Sammie snorted. “Women are better than private investigators when they want to be. Honestly, I’m surprised that she hasn’t figured out who has been giving them to her already.”
He didn’t have anything to say to that statement. At the moment, he was trying to figure out his next steps. Talking with Sammie wasn’t helping matters. If anything, she was making him second guess the slow path he’d been content on taking. Summer wouldn’t last forever. If he wanted a chance with her, he’d have to take action.
Sammie had been wrong in assuming that nothing bad could happen if he asked Serenity on a date. She could refuse him. And if she did that, there was a chance that he’d end up losing a friend, too.
Could he handle that?
A car pulled up, and Sammie mumbled, “Speak of the devil.”
His head snapped in the direction of the vehicle to see Serenity and the three boys piling out of the car, followed by Mack. Noneof them noticed him right away, and Sammie got to her feet. She placed her hands on her hips. “Ask her out. I know you don’t believe me, but nothing bad will happen. You can’t lose what you don’t have.”
