“Two weeks,” I correct, listening to the shower running in the other room.
“You planning anything on that front?”
My heart tugs. “Thinkin’ of asking her to stay.”
“All right. Then what?”
I sigh, running a hand down my face. “I don’t know.”
“Well, figure it out before you put something like that out there.”
I shake my head. Wishing it were that easy.
I’ve already admitted to myself that I want her, more than physically, more than the summer.
As far as I know, back home, she’s got nothing but a friendand a job at a downtown bar to pay the bills.
I can offer her more. But for how long? How long until I start questioning her loyalty to me? I’ve seen enough to know Rose isn’t as wild as Wes drew her out to be.
She’s driven but confused. She’s talented, but maybe a little stunted.
I trust her.
ButItrustedBonnietoo.
Bonnie changed her mind. What if Rose changes her mind?
What if this thing with us is a fleeting adventure for her? Something she does without thinking.
Something she regrets later .?.?.
I growl low as I pace the living room. The idea of letting Rose go because I’m too scared to trust is both heartbreaking and frustrating.
My eyes drop to the painting of my ranch still drying along the wall. There’s another silhouette as well as that superman with a cowboy hat. This time he’s got a woman in his arms, lifting her off her feet.
They’re in front of a cottage that looks very familiar.
Maybe this is supposed to tell me something. Maybe this is how Rose shows what she wants.
And maybe it’s about time I show her howIfeel.
Tomorrow.
No games. No hesitation.
Tomorrow, I ask the woman I’m wild for .?.?. to stay.
30
Rose
I’ve fallen for him.
I know I have. Or I’m sure I have. I don’t know how else to explain this gut-wrenching feeling of leaving him in ten days. Or the warmth that spreads through every inch of me when he looks at me, holds me, kisses me.
Everything in my mind tells me this is a fling. A wild summer fling, and I’d be a fool to think it’s more.
But my heart is telling me to believe it.
