My heart leaps up into my throat when the door opens to reveal none other than Bo himself. He’s looking over his shoulder with a teasing grin tugging his dimples, a white tank top stretched tight across his chest and a ragged old flannel hanging open over it.
He looks even better than I remember.
“Dude, lay off the sugar in that tea,” he shouts. “I still want to have teeth by the time dinner’s over.”
I burst into laughter, not even trying to hold it back. Bo swings around to face me, his face going slack in surprise as he traces his eyes over me. It lights up in joy as soon as the shock wears off, and he damn near knocks me over with the force ofthe hug he wraps me in. He’s a head taller than me, just like he’s always been, but he’s broader than I remember. My heart kicks at how smothered I feel in his embrace.
“Kenz, holy shit!” he says, lifting me up off my feet and squeezing me until I worry my ribs are going to break. “You're back!”
“I'm back!” I say, giggling as he finally lets me down.
He holds me at arm’s length, looking me over properly. Affection shines in his brown eyes, reminding me why I fell for him in the first place. Bo always made me feel so special, even if he doesn't see me that way.
“Mom wouldn't tell us who was coming over,” he says. “I’d have dressed up if I knew it was you. God, you look great. Your hair’s so long!”
I laugh off his comments as he ushers me inside to join everyone. The second I step in, Hailey and David are all over me, smothering me in hugs, and insisting I sit and have a glass of wine so they can ask me a million questions.
I catch everyone up on my plans for work and where I’m staying, tossing stories of college around as I help set the table.
I was nervous about coming by after so long, but I’m as welcome here as I’ve always been. Sure, Oakley is off at college with Jamie and getting ready for the start of the next semester, but there were plenty of nights that I came over for dinner when she wasn’t here. It’s comforting to take my usual seat beside Bo and pass a bowl of mashed potatoes down the table. He sits at the edge of my periphery, chiming in to fill me on things I’ve missed, his knee bumping into mine beneath the table every so often.
Dinner is full of jokes and stories we’ve all heard a thousand times. Maggie even reluctantly joins in too. The conversation turns to the topic of relationships after Hailey catches me up on everything between Oakley and Jamie.
I should really keep my mouth shut, but I can’t resist glancing over at Bo.
“Are you or Maggie seeing anybody?” I ask, keeping my voice casual.
“As if,” Maggie scoffs.
Put her in yellow plaid, and she'd be a star.
“The ranch keeps me plenty busy,” Bo says. “I don't want to bother with dating unless I know it's the right person.”
Relief slams into me like a tidal wave, even though Bo being single doesn't mean I have a chance. He was single for pretty much all of high school, and we didn't date then. Nothing will change now.
“What about you?” Hailey asks. “I’m sure you had plenty of boys chasing after you in college.”
A frown crosses Bo’s face, but I’m sure it has nothing to do with any of this. He’s always in his own little world. I laugh, shaking my head before taking a sip of my tea–extra sweet.
“I was holed up in the library all three years,” I say. “I hardly even remember my professor’s names.”
“Maybe now that you’re back home, you’ll find someone nice to settle down with.” Hailey shrugs, glancing between me and Bo in a way that makes me cringe. I’m trying not to be obvious, especially after being away for so long. Besides, if Bo wanted something more than friendship with me, I’d know. “I’m sure you’ll stay plenty busy, though.”
Thankfully, David chimes in and the topic changes again. We chat about the ranch and the rodeo scene and how Hailey’s veterinary practice has become responsible for all of Greg Walker’s livestock now that he and David settled their differences. It’s good to know that life is treating them all well.
We chat far past sundown, moving from dinner to dessert to coffee.
“It’s getting late. I really should head home,” I say when I realize it’s nearly nine.
I stand and give everyone a hug, even Maggie accepts a pat on the head.
“Let me walk you out,” Bo says, his hand warm and heavy on my shoulder.
“Sure.” Like I could ever say no, especially when he smiles at me like that. “It was great to see you all! I’ll text Oakley and make sure I can come by next time she’s home.”
Hailey and David wave their goodbyes to me while Maggie shoots a dismissive nod my way. I follow Bo toward the door, all of my attention focused on the feeling of his hand where it still lingers on my arm. I can feel the scratch of his calluses and the strength of his fingers, even as they rest lazily on the curve of my bicep.
“It’s been way too long,” he says as he walks me outside. “Promise you won’t be a stranger now that you’re home.”
