Page 72 of Perfect Cowboy

Sometimes, it’s just too late. But I’m sure glad that I had the chance to see him again. Hopefully, our short time together gives him some peace so he can leave the chapters of his life where I was the main character behind for good.

“What?” he asks, with a joking lilt to his voice. “You would have said no if I asked you to be my wife?”

Holy shit.

Even hearing him say the words has my heart galloping like a stallion.

He’s pulled into a parking spot outside the Moose, and I turn to face him, deciding to answer him completely seriously.

“No, Gav,” I say, looking right into his eyes. “I would have said yes a thousand times over.”

Whatever he says next has the power to change everything between us. Since I’m being honest and putting my heart out there, it gives him permission to do the same without fear of rejection. The trajectory of our night – hell, our lives – could alter.

Instead, Cade bangs on Gavin’s window, making us both jump.

“Come on, you two,” Cade calls, through the glass. “There’s a beer with my name on it in there. Plus, I’m starving.”

“We’re coming, asshole,” Gavin says. “Ashley can’t get out of the truck without breaking her leg.”

I laugh at how ridiculous it sounds. But Cade comes around to the passenger door, opens it, and lifts me out.

“There. Problem solved,” he says. “Get Bobby to send you some cash for running boards.”

“I’ll ask for enough to give Victory a lump sum so she can skip the country and escape your dumb ass,” Gavin returns.

In high school, Cade was always the nicest to me out of all Gavin’s friends. I’m sure Victory shared our conversation with him, and I don’t blame her for it. I would have done the same with my boyfriend.

Maybe rather than having an awkward conversation about what happened, Cade is going with the “act normal” approach, and I’m totally good with it.

“How are you, Ashley?” Cade asks kindly. “I mean, other than the obvious suffering you’re enduring being stuck with Gavin.”

“Hardy har har,” Gavin says, joining us and wrapping an arm around my waist.

“I’m okay, all things considered,” I say to Cade. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Right back at you,” he says, with a wink.

“Stop hitting on her,” Gavin says. “Keep it up and I’ll propose to Victory before you get the balls to.”

“Ugh, children,” Victory interjects. “Can we all just shut up and go inside where it’s somewhat above the temperature of frigid?”

I didn’t realize just how much I missed this special group of people until I was back in their company. Bobby’s reception to my presence would be interesting though. But I intend to be long gone before the holidays roll around, so it’s unlikely I’ll see him again.

Brady is spending Christmas with his friends and while they invited me to come, I can’t swing a trip to Europe. He’ll be stateside soon enough and we can catch up then.

It won’t be the first Christmas I’ve spent alone and it will be fine.

“We’ll meet you two in there,” Cade says.

At first, I think he’s talking to me and Gavin. But I realize he’s talking to Gavin and Victory when he looks at them both pointedly.

Maybe I was wrong about the discussion.

“Come on,” Victory says, linking her arm through Gavin’s and leading him to the front door. “You can buy me a coffee martini or three.”

“Lucky me,” Gavin grumbles good-naturedly. “I buy the drinks and my buddy gets laid.”

Cade and I also start walking, but at a slower pace.

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