Slowly, I watch as he dismounts the horse, carefully petting the top of its head before he presses a kiss to the side of its face. My heart leaps watching him interact with the horse and doing what he seems to love.
Is this his escape?
What really happened to him to make him the way he is?
As if he can feel my presence, his head turns in my direction. The sun hits his face at just the right angle, allowing me to see it entirely. My breath hitches in my throat, but I don’t move.
He doesn’t look angry for the first time since I’ve arrived in town.
He doesn’t look like he wants to run me out of here.
He looks…like the pretty man I know is deep inside of him.
I lean forward, resting my arms on the wooden fence, but don’t take my eyes off him the same way he doesn’t take his off me while he wraps the reins of the horse around his wrist, tugging the horse in the direction he wants him to go.
Side by side, I watch as he walks the horse into the stable putting even more distance between us than there already was.
Only then does he turn to break the stare.
There’s something about Griffin Barlow that draws me in, but I’m torn. His silence and short, clipped answers to things drives me crazy. Would he allow me in? Getting closer to him would only lead to falling for him. I know in my heart, I can’t. But sometimes the heart has a mind of its own.
It falls without warning.
The last thing I want to do is fall for the angry cowboy.
CHAPTER 17
REMEMBER, WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN STOOLS.
Griffin
Tucker
What's the town buzz about a possible karaoke night?
Me
Not happening.
Tucker
Sounds kind of fun.
Me
Not. Happening.
Tucker
Noted.
The bell to the front door chimes.
I really hate that damn thing. I should get rid of it.
Lily, Autumn, and Blair come walking in. My eyes immediately land on Blair. She’s laughing with the girls as if someone in the group had just told a joke before they entered. She has the type of laugh that can light up even the darkest of hearts.
There’s something about her that always has me on edge.
