A feeling that’s driving me fucking insane.
Ever since I caught her watching me at the ranch from a distance, I can’t get the image out of my head. I fell asleep with the vision of her whiskey eyes on me while I led Storm into the stable.
They walk toward the bar; each step she takes lulls me into a trance. Jean shorts rest high on her thighs, which isn’t helping my urge to run my hands over every inch of her legs. Today, she’s wearing a light brown sweater, and I’m convinced she wore it because it brings out the color of her eyes that much more.
I want to get her out of my head.
She’s entirely my type if I were looking. And I’m not looking.
Shaking myself out of my daze, I turn to face Lily. “Just because your brother owns the place doesn’t mean you can come here and eat for free all the time.”
“Oh, Mr. Tough Guy,” Lily says, “when have I ever asked for a free meal?”
“We’re always paying customers,” Autumn adds. “Not that I’m your sister or anything. Gross.”
I turn to face Blair and she’s just smiling at the interaction, forcing me to back down from the made-up fight.
“Find a booth.” I gesture toward the sitting area. “I’ll bring over some menus.”
Rounding the bar, I grab the menus from where we keep them next to the register. Every single one flies to the floor, and I groan. Letting out a string of curse words under my breath, I before bending down to pick them up.
Seeing Blair laughing with the girls has flipped my world on its axis. Clearly.
I grab three menus and make my way to the table. When I get there, I notice it’s just Lily and Autumn.
“Why do you get so flustered when she’s around?” Autumn asks.
“I don’t,” I answer quickly.
Of all people, Lily is in my business more than Poppy is. Being that Autumn is her best friend; she goes along for the ride and knows everything that Lily does and thinks. She’s not my sister, but she might as well be with how much she knows about my life and how many family dinners she’s attended. I just don’t need them knowing they’re right at this moment.
“We know you pretty well, big brother. And you most definitely do,” Lily scoffs.
Dammit.
“It’s just annoying that you keep bringing her around,” I lie.
“I think she gets under your skin because you have the hots for her,” Autumn says.
She’s always been the blunt one.
“She’s my neighbor and nothing more,” I affirm.
“There can always be more.” Autumn winks.
“Cut it out,” Lily tells her. “She’s been through enough shit.”
I’m taken aback by her words, and my eyes narrow at Lily.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask.
“Have there been any visitors at the ranch lately?” Lily asks with a wink, ignoring my question.
“No?”
“You know, someone just sitting on the south end of the ranch where the land ends to…watch the sunset?”
Lily is clearly nudging for information right now. Leading me to believe she sent Blair down there that evening I saw her. I knew Blair wouldn’t voluntarily go to Barlow Ranch, knowing it’s my name attached to it. I also know Lily frequents the ranch in the same spot to catch the sunset and get her mind off things when she isn’t riding.
