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“Well…”
We both freeze then burst into awkward chuckles. Connor motions for me to go first.
“What can you tell me about this Ranch Bash? Expected number of guests? Is it an all day thing? Lunch? Dinner?” I jump right into logistics to smooth over the nerves going off like rounds of fireworks in my gut.
I can do this. Work is easy. I know what I’m doing here.
It’s just Connor Madsen who throws me off-kilter.
He answers my questions, and a half hour passes quickly. My anxiety is almost forgotten, all my worries unfounded, until Connor clears his throat and braces an elbow on the table.
The position places him directly in my space, his yearning eyes hard to ignore.
“Hails, I should come clean and let you know that I cooked up this party so I could see you again.”
Did he just say what I think he did?
“I’ve liked you for a long time, and I think there could be something good between us. Tell me if I’ve got this all wrong,” he pleads, leaning close enough that his spicy cologne tickles my nose.
Is that cedar?
“The last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable, so if I’m coming on too strong, or if you want to back out of the bash, that’s fine. It’s just that I’ve never forgotten you. Hell, maybe it's even heart sparks, if living in Suitor’s Crossing has convinced you of their lore.”
Oh, wow. Okay. This is really happening.
And not just in my dreams.
Sweet, handsome Connor Madsen wants me—the curvy bookworm who was too afraid to defy her parents at seventeen.
The wiser woman who now has a chance to correct her mistake.
“It’s not just you… Or I mean you’re right… I mean… Ugh…”
Connor swoops down to claim my mouth with his own, putting a stop to my stuttering.
I sink into the unexpected heat for a second before pushing at his broad chest. “Whoa, there, cowboy. How about we go on that date I owe you first?”
“You don't owe me anything, baby.”
“Fine, then I owe it to myself. What do you say?”
He grins. “Yes. It'll always be yes.”
CHAPTER SIX
CONNOR
Iswing open the door to my house and step onto the porch. My damp hair from an earlier shower blows in the soft summer breeze while a fresh navy henley hugs my arms and chest.
I wasn’t sure where the line between comfy casual and date formal lay, but I think I did okay considering Hailey’s cotton sundress. The light fabric billows around her thighs, highlighting where the thick curves are pressed together to form a shadowy valley.
“Hey, are you sure you’re alright with our first date being dinner at my place? Because I have no problem wining and dining wherever you want.”
High Ridge doesn’t have a lot of fancy options, but Suitor’s Crossing—a town known for its love legend called heart sparks—definitely has some nice restaurants.
“No, this is perfect. Low-key, no audience,” she says.
“Fair point.” I nod for her to go inside before me.
