Page 8 of Forever in the Country

“See?” She waves the fabric in front of me. “Same concept.”

My lips turn up ever so slightly, and a smile spreads across her gorgeous face. Her blue eyes twinkle in the light of the bar, and it takes everything in me not to get lost in them. I don’t need alcohol because I’m practically drunk on the way she’s looking at me.

Being this close to Rhea is dangerous. I’ve been walking a line that’s been getting thinner and thinner with every passing day, and right now, I can’t remember why I drew it in the first place.

“I can’t believe you dragged me here,” I murmur, and she huffs as she takes a sip of her wine.

“I needed a night out and it’s good for you to socialize.”

“Socialize, hmm?” I intentionally drop my voice into gravel territory as I say, “Like with the girl trying to sit in my lap? I don’t think she was as much interested in talkin’ as she was with showing me her tits.”

Rhea’s eyes narrow in challenge. I shouldn’t bait her like this, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like her all riled up.

“And what did she say?”

“That if I smiled, more people would want to talk to me.”

She throws her head back and laughs as I smile against the lip of my glass before taking a sip. The root beer is cold, and even though I’m sitting at the bar, no one bothers me that it’s soda and not something harder.

“Poor girl. I almost feel bad for her.”

“Almost, huh?”

She lifts a shoulder but doesn’t dispute my statement. She looks away, and I know it’s to hide the hope in her eyes. We’ve been there before, and it’s taken me a long time to get back tothis.

I can’t lose her again.

I can’t losethis.

Silently, I pull her barstool a little closer to mine. It’s the opposite of what I should be doing but fuck if I can help it. She sighs and rests her head on my shoulder, the movement causing her intoxicating scent to surround us.

I’ve never been big on sweets butfuckI’d devour her.

Digging my thumb and forefinger into my eyes, I send up a silent prayer for the strength I’ll need to resist the woman who has slowly become my best friend. She deserves more than the man I am now, and I’ll prove I deserve her. I just need more time.

RHEA

2 YEARS AGO

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sorren grumbles from the passenger seat as he stares at the Cedar Lake Day Spa out the windshield. He’s been home about a month and while he says his leg doesn’t bother him, I know some days it does.

“One time. You will go in one time, and if you hate it you’ll never have to go again. But Sorren,”—I wait till he meets my gaze—“I need you to trust me.”

He doesn’t really talk about his injury, and I’ve never asked. We haven’t talked a lot about his time in the military at all but that’s okay. I know that he finds comfort and solace in my presence so I try not to push.

“One time?” His voice is resigned, and I hide my smile the best I can.

“Once,” I say, pushing my door open and then looking back at him, “unless you like it. Then we can come once a month.”

He exhales heavily as he opens his door and steps onto the sidewalk. His limp is barely noticeable, and I know he works hard to keep it that way.

The outside is freshly painted white shiplap with forest-green shutters and cedar accents. They’d hired Waylon for the benches and Otto and Case to do the landscaping. Seeing their work every time I come here fills me with joy and pride at everything they’ve accomplished.

Sorren holds the door for me, and I step inside with a smile as I greet Colette. She’s been my girl for a few years now and answered an insane amount of questions for me leading up to this visit. Despite my outwardly calm demeanor, I’m nervous.

The wide cedar plank floor is beautiful against the soft-gray walls. It’s lakeside chic, and I always feel myself relax the slightest bit just walking in here.

“They’re not going to do polish, right?” Sorren says under his breath as we walk to the last two chairs in the room where another girl is waiting with a smile.

---