“It won’t be a huge deal, just a little kick-off,” I say.
Maybe I’m downplaying it in case not many people show up. It’s a busy time of year for a lot of people, and I don’t anticipate everyone in town to drop everything that they’re doing just for some free burgers and a little tour of the dealership and service center.
If I let my expectations get too high, the chances of disappointment are more likely and I can’t let that get to my head before I even have the chance to get things off on the right foot.
Tripp and Heston follow me as we pass the parts counter, sales desks, and lobby. Every surface is clean, every bit of merchandise is organized, and even the neon open sign hangs in the window waiting to be plugged in and turned on. I try to picture the space buzzing with customers and employees and fear of it all failing creeps back in.
“Is it too late to sell it all and stay on the ranch?” I joke with a half-hearted laugh.
It’s a backup plan if things here go south, at least.
“I’d say so,” Heston mutters.
Leaving the office and lobby area, our footsteps echo off the walls as we walk on the concrete floor back through the shop.
“Everyone that supports you is going to be there, man. Don’t worry,” Tripp pats me on the shoulder as I hold the back door open. He’s right, of course.
Every time I picture it though, I see Savannah there with me. And I’m not sure if he factored her into the ‘everyone’that he was talking about. I smirk remembering that she’s probably in my room right now.
When Tripp and Heston both walk through the door, I turn to close it and lock up. I’d hoped we’d be done by lunch but after things taking longer than expected at Savannah’s place and then having to stop by here, the hottest part of the day has already passed and I’m hungry for dinner.
“Are we having a party tonight?” Tripp asks as I back up the truck and pull onto the street.
“No,” Heston and I say in unison.
I have zero intentions of hanging out with more than one person tonight.
24
SAVANNAH
Music plays softly from my phone while I take my sweet time with my nighttime skincare routine. I hum along to the song as I take a sip of water and then readjust my headband.
In the middle of finishing applying my serum, I pause, hearing footsteps in the hall. A moment later, I hear the creak of the bedroom door that belongs to Warren.
Instantly, I smile and tap my phone screen to pause the music. In a rush, I finish my routine with some moisturizer and then stash everything away in my bag.
Before walking out of the guest bathroom and going into his room, I tighten the silk belt on my robe. It probably wasn’t necessary to double-check my reflection in the mirror or swipe on a little bit of tinted lip balm either, but it couldn’t hurt, right?
The door to his room is open when I finally step into the hall. The last bit of soft sunlight from the day filters in through the thin curtains on his west-facing window. I stop before walking all the way in, crossing my arms and leaning against the door frame when I see him.
“Hi,” he smiles.
He’s relaxed in the middle of the bed on top of the comforter with a t-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts on. I’m guessing he took a quick shower and changed clothes because his hair is darker, slightly damp, and pushed back. The whole space smells fresh and masculine and suddenly I want to steal his soap so that I can smell it all the time. I take a deep breath and smile back at him.
“Hi,” I reply.
My eyes rake over his long body and then his strong arms that are relaxed behind his head.God, he looks good. It should be a crime, really, and if I was feeling 100% today there’s no way I’d have the self-control to not pounce on him.
“What were you up to today?” I ask, still not moving from my spot in the doorway.
I enjoyed the day to myself here at the bunkhouse if I’m being honest. Being alone is usually my favorite thing to do because I don’t have to say anything or make any decisions that someone else might not like. But now that it’s nearly evening, I have to admit that I’m happy to see Warren.
I never wish I was alone when he’s around.
“Not much,” he replies. But my eyebrow quirks up and he gives me a knowing smirk.
“That’s not what I heard.”
