Page 3 of Brothers Best Friend Cowboy

“So… when do we get to the day-drinking and trying to not drown?” Ash laughs and flips back her hair playfully. There’s nothing, technically, awful about her. She seems nice, and there are worse things than being energetic. From what she’s told me, she’s in school to be a hairdresser, and she’s been turning her life around. I’m sure to someone she’d be a catch, but she’s just not for me. That’s because no one holds a candle to Maggie.

This constant comparing has happened to me with every woman I’ve met since her. I go on a date and promise myself that I’ll forget the perfect woman I’ve had to leave behind, but she’s still there, taunting me in the eyes of every woman who could never live up to her.

No one has answered Ash and I feel bad. “We could head down to the river after lunch. I’m starved! What about you, Maggie? You’ve had a long drive in.”

She swallows hard and looks toward me with innocence. “Yeah. Lunch sounds good. I just need to get settled first.”

Dodge holds open the front door, making faces that a teenage boy would make behind Ash’s back. His eyes widen and his lips purse into a silent whistle. I’m over it. I know he’s letting loose, and I know this weekend is supposed to be fun, but I’m not sure I can handle this.

Maggie turns toward the stairway, two bags in her hands.

“Let me help you.” I grab them and hop up the stairs behind her without thought.

She drags in a shaking breath and smiles. Maybe I make her feel awkward. Maybe she’s picked up on my interest in her and she’s creeped out.

God damn it, Emery. Be cool.

“I could do it alone and you could stay here… or you can go up and I’ll leave you—”

“No. I’d love the help,” she stammers, climbing up in front of me. Her short skirt floats behind her, and at this angle, I can see the thin pink line of her panties as her ass cheeks round from the hem.

My cock threatens to stiffen, but I will it away and study the rail on the stairs as we finish our way up to the rooms. High ceilings, big windows, and a railing made from large branches. Even the floors are laid with tiny pebbles that I’d guess came from the river below. I’ve never been so interested in architecture, but at this moment, I need anything I can find to avoid showing off my excitement.

“Dodge said you’re back in town to stay,” Maggie says sweetly, turning toward me once we make it to the top of the steps.

“Yup. It’s not ideal, but the factory I worked for did a load of layoffs, and it was based on seniority. I just didn’t have the years to make the cut. It sucks, but thankfully, Waylon took me back.”

“I’m sorry.” She glances at me. “That’s tough. I’m sure the guys at the ranch were happy to see you, though.”

“If I’m being honest, I missed it. The ranch, the horses, the people… they all make life worth living. When I was out in Utah, the goal was to make as much money as possible and looked what happened.” I let out a cleansing sigh. “What about you? What have you been up to?” It’s a rhetorical question because I already know. I make it a point to ask Dodge about her every time we talk. And since I’ve been back, I’ve driven by the diner every chance I got, though I avoided going inside and striking up a real conversation.

She looks away, ambling down the long hallway as she talks. “Good. I, ugh, I’m still at the diner.” She laughs. “I’m a manager now, so that’s cool.”

“Good for you! Are you still drawing?”

She nods. “Not really making much of it, but yeah, I still draw. I’d like to get up the nerve to bring my portfolio to the tattoo shop, but I’m not sure anyone would be interested.”

I point toward the free room next to mine and we step inside. “You should! I know a few guys down at the shop. I’m sure they’d help you out. Not that you need it. Last I checked, you were pretty talented.”

“You’re biased.” She smiles and the swell of familiar feelings rushes back. The natural ones. The ones to protect her, hold her, touch her, claim her.

“Maybe so.” I grin, rubbing my palm down over my beard, torturing myself with her presence. “I’m thinking I should get changed and get back downstairs. I guess we’re getting day drunk and seeing who can float.”

She smiles, leans against the frame of the door, and focuses her gaze on mine. “It’s good to see you, Emery. It’s been a while.”

My chest tightens and my throat goes dry as I nod. “Good to see you too, sunshine. I’ve missed you.”

The second the words leave my mouth, my heart slams against my chest. Why did I say that?Why did I tell her I missed her?She can’t know I missed her. That’s weird. This whole fucking thing is weird.

“I missed you, too.” Her eyes do this fluttering motion that tortures every nerve in my body.

She missed me, too?Now, I’ll spend the rest of my life overthinking that simple statement, or at the very least, the weekend.

Chapter Three

Maggie

I sit on the edge of the bed and stare up at the ceiling. I can’t believe I have to put a bathing suit on in front of Emery. I’m too modest. That’s probably why I’m a twenty-six-year-old virgin. I’m sure Ash will be wearing some tiny little suit that showcases her perfectly round tits and serves up her ass as the second course. She’s gorgeous. Not pretty like,‘oh, she’s pretty,’but rather pretty as in drop dead stunning. Pretty like every single eyelash and curve is in the right place, and she was born like that. Big boobs, big ass, long blonde hair, wide hips, plump lips, and somehow the round tummy she has works for her.

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