Page 2 of Awaken My Heart

“She is pretty. Objectively speaking,” I snap.

Grant smiles and it just irritates me more. “Okay, we agree, she’s pretty. Which is why you should meet her.”

“I don’t need to meet her. She’s young enough to be my daughter. Doesn’t look a day older than Daphne.”

“Pretty sure you’re wrong about that, but it doesn’t matter. Age is just a number. It’s time for you to get off the bench and get back on the field.”

“Nice try, coach, but I’m not in this game.”

“Right. Because you’re so old. And she’s young enough to be your daughter. Whatever.” Grant points a French fry at me. “For the record, if you and Lisa had started having kids any earlier, you could be my dad too.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble. But my eyes are on that woman again. The way she gifts everyone around her with that blinding smile. I want her to shine it at me. Just once.

“Just saying,” Grant says. “You don’t have to be out of the game. You can jump back in any time you want.”

“You gotta stop saying shit like that. You know I’m done with that sort of thing.”

“Yep, one woman man and all that. But I’m pretty sure all those songs were about only having one woman at a time, not your lifelong limit. Plus, it doesn’t seem like you’re all that done, considering you haven’t looked away from that one since she walked in.”

“She’s alone. I’m just worried about her being in a bar alone. It’s dangerous.”

“In Saddle Creek?” Grant snorts. Then the bastard does the unthinkable. He catches her eye and calls her over.

She saunters towards us, and my eyes eat her up. She’s not a snack. She’s a whole goddamn meal and fuck me if I don’t want to savor every morsel. My dick goes rock hard in my jeans, and I nearly get lightheaded with how swiftly the blood rushes to my groin. What the fuck is even happening right now?

“You’re new,” Grant says in his smooth, flirty voice.

“Are y’all the welcome wagon?” she asks, smiling widely at my friend.

He laughs. “We sure are, sugar.”

I have never wanted to throat punch him more.

“I’m Grant, but most people around here just call me Doc since I’m the local pediatrician.” Grant makes a big show of kissing her hand. Then he thumps a hand against my stomach. “This here is my buddy, Bram.”

She looks over at me.

Her gaze catches mine, and that smile dies right on her lips. Probably because I’m scowling like a mean son of a bitch.

“Bram, interesting name.” Then she’s all grins and giggles again as she looks at Grant. “I’m Emily. I mean Emma and yes, I am new to town. Just moved here a while back.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Emily, I mean Emma,” Grant says.

“It’s not safe for a young, single woman to be at a bar alone like this,” I rumble.

Her brow arches as she looks at me. “I’m pretty sure my virtue is safe. Besides, I’m not alone, I’m meeting a friend. I believe she just walked in. If you two will excuse me.”

“Welcome to Saddle Creek, Emma,” Grant says.

“Thank you, Doc.” She winks at him.

And I have the irrational urge to stab my fork in his thigh.

“Oh, and Bram,” she says my name all short and clipped. “I’m older than I look.” Then she walks off.

Grant bellows out another laugh. “She handed you your ass,” he wheezes.

“You’re an asshole.” Then I sit there and stare at my half-eaten burger, unsure if I should go home and tend to those fucking tomato plants or if I should stay here and make sure Emma is safe.