Thieveswas probably the most accurate term Thea could’ve picked. Because Cope was a damn thief. Without me realizing it and without my permission, he’d stolen my heart.
“Sutton. I know he has his demons, but he’s a good man.”
“The best,” I choked out, trying to fight back tears.
“Hey, hey.” Thea pulled me into a hug. “What are the tears about?”
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
She pulled back. “Of Cope?”
I shook my head quickly. “Well, kind of. I’m not sure he’s in a place to be more than what we are.”
“Which is?”
“Friends?” I mumbled. “Best friends?”
“How dare he?” Thea said, lips twitching. “Trying to steal my best-friend status…”
I tried to smile, but my lips couldn’t quite get there. “I don’t know how to explain it. We lean on each other. Share things I don’t think either of us has let anyone else in on. But at the same time, we never tell each other the whole story.”
Thea frowned as she mulled over my words. “I get that. Shep and I had some of those moments.”
“That’s different,” I argued. “Shep was clear about his interest in you from day one. He was a man possessed.”
“If you don’t think Cope looks at you the same way, we may need to take you to get your eyesight checked.”
I shook my head. “He’s never even kissed me.”
Thea’s mouth flattened into a firm line. “Maybe he’s waiting for you to show him you’re ready.”
“I don’t think so. I know he’s attracted to me, but I’m not sure he’ll ever take that leap. And maybe that’s for the best.”
Thea released her hold on me. “You know what we need?”
“Margaritas and a two-week Caribbean vacation?”
She chuckled. “Let’s look into that. But in the meantime, we need a girls’ night out.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but a new voice cut me off.
“Did someone say girls’ night?” Lolli singsonged. “I have beenwaitingfor this. I just got some new cowboy boots that need to see a dance floor.”
Thea’s mouth stretched into a wide smile. “The country bar?”
Lolli did some sort of line-dancing move that ended in a twirl. “The cowboys are calling my name.”
“I’ve got a cowboy hat,” Walter called from behind the counter. “And I could come up with some creative things to do with that rope.”
I choked on a laugh, and my cheeks flamed.
“I’m not a woman to be tied down, Walter. I need to fly free,” Lolli said, her hands going to her hips and sending her endless stream of bracelets jangling.
He just grinned at her, making the lines in his face more pronounced. “I might not succeed, but we’ll have the time of our lives trying.”
Thea covered her laugh with a cough. “Throw the man a bone, Lolli. He’s been trying to win you over for years.”
Lolli lifted her chin in defiance. “I’m too wild for him.”
