Page 52 of Golden Hour

“Bring it up to him. All he can say is no.” I sigh. “I really want a dog.”

“Why can’t you have one?”

“My grandpa’s apartment is too small. And I don’t know where I’ll be in a few months.” I pause before I look up at him. “If I could, I would adopt Bubba in an instant.”

“You love that dog.”

“So much,” I agree. “I’m going to walk him tomorrow. Want to come?”

“Sure, what time?”

We discuss as Jackson studies the ground. After we hang a right onto Goodwin, we head back toward Main. The dog’s pants grow louder, especially in the silence emitting from him. I try not to shiver. I couldn’t resist another snuggle offer.

“When are you planning to leave Goldheart?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “Papa tells me every day he doesn’t need me, but I think he likes having me around. It’s a great place for now. I like what I’m doing—working at the brewery and walking dogs like Jacques. I just really don’t know what I want to do. I’m twenty-six, and I don’t have my life together. At all.”

“I’m thirty-six, and I don’t have my life together,” he jokes. “I live over my parents’ garage. I work at my family’s business. Widowed.Verysingle.Idon’t know what I want to do with my life. My younger brothers are falling in love, and I just feelleft.”

“Is Reid finally dating Whitney?” I ask, animated.

He turns to me and narrows his eyes. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I hope they’re falling in love. That would be wonderful.”

Jackson nods. “He’s a knucklehead, but he deserves it.”

What about you?I want to ask. Even if it’s not me, Jackson deserves to find love again. Even if he lost it once, there’s always more to find. If he decides to date someone that is not me, I will be so jealous, I won’t be able to function.

“What about you?” he asks. “Thinking of dating anyone?”

I can’t because all I think about is you.I shake my head. “I’m like you. Very, very single.”

“Look at us. Two single folks.”

“The most single of singles this town has ever seen,” I say. We reach the Holmstroms’ residence, and I turn toward him.

“I have to get Jacques inside. I forgot his sweater. Mine too.”

“Okay, I better get going.”

He opens his arms again and like a dummy, I walk into them, inhaling the leather-whiskey smell ingrained in his clothes. His arms are strong around my shoulders as he kisses my head and I melt. I can’t help but press my body into his and he pulls me tighter.

“Ask your dad about the dog and let me know?” I ask.

“Will do. And Shiloh?”

I turn back toward him. “Yeah?”

“Any guy would be lucky to be with you,” he says.

The words tumble from me before I can think. “You too. You deserve to find love again. Even if the first time was enough.”

His face reveals nothing, his cheeks still as stone. My lips press together in a closed mouth smile as I wave goodbye and walk into the house with Jacques.

As I take the dog out of its harness and hang up the leash, I let out a whistle of breath.

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