Page 133 of Opposites (Never) Attract
Mr. Berkley tilted his head as if assessing this new situation. “I’m sorry, are you a friend or family to Kaitlyn?”
“A friend.”
I shook my head because I didn’t need Tag inserting himself in this situation. It would only result in Mr. Berkley being more falsely gracious.
“Tag, I’ve got this,” I said to him.
“Sure you do, darlin. This here your boss?”
I nodded.
“Seems like the boss flies all the way out to Wyoming to get you back, rents these fancy SUVs and all, that short list must be pretty damn short. So short, maybe it’s time you finally got off it and they made you a partner.”
“Tag,” I snapped. “I mean it. Back off. This is my business, not yours.”
He frowned and turned his head to the right. I could see the back of his jaw clenching. He knew what I’d said was true. But I also knew he didn’t like it.
He’d said it several times during my stay in town. While I was here, I’d been his to take care of. But, he’d ended all that last night. He knew it.
Knew it, and didn’t like it.
“You’ve obviously got good people looking out for you,” Mr. Berkley nodded and looked around.
Not just toward Tag, but in the direction of the convoy that was now pulling in behind us. Carter and the kids, Ethan, Harmony and Mac. Amity and Bliss would have been droppedoff in town.
“Family,” I said, feeling a lump of emotion lodge deep in my throat.
“I see,” Mr. Berkley said. Although maybe he didn’t, because those brothers of his weren’t actually family. Just other men he did business with.
He clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Always good to have support. I’m thinking maybe you want to collect your things? We can fly back on my jet tonight.”
“Sunshine,” Tag said, his voice low behind me. I heard everything in his voice. Everything we both felt. He’d broken me, but he’d broken something in himself, too. It was better that I leave, so we could get over what we’d done to each other.
I walked up to him and put my hands on either side of his face. I pulled off his aviators because I wanted to see his eyes.
Leaning into him, I pressed my lips against his. “It’s better this way. Clean break.”
“Clean break,” he agreed.
I looked over Tag’s shoulder to Carter. “The fate of the Swinging D is in your hands, now.”
For once, his kids were standing still in front of him, as if they knew how important this place was. To everyone.
“I got it,” he said.
“Harmony, send me my things. And tell Mom I’ll call.”
“I will.” Harmony hugged me hard enough to bend my bones. “Don’t forget you’re still on the family group chat.”
“Use it sparingly, please.”
Only, I hoped they didn’t.
I turned toward Mr. Berkley.
“I don’t need to collect anything. I can come with you now.” My phone was stuffed in the back pocket of my jeans, and when I considered everything else, none of it mattered.
Because if I had to go back inside to collect my city clothes, I might change my mind. I might decide that I could stay here. Forever.
