Page 34 of Tough Love

“Oh, I see.”

“It’s your lunch break, right?” His gaze flicks to Sally briefly.

I huff a laugh. “Yes, it is. I’ll get my bag.”

“No need, our treat. Since Harry spoiled your day.”

Pointing behind me, I turn back a little. “In that case, I’ll grab my phone.”

“Sure, meet you outside.”

Walking back to my treatment room, I snatch my phone from the desk. Another text from Adam. Two from Ruby. I slide it into the side pocket of my pants and walk outside. Hudson is sitting on the tailgate of his truck. When he sees me coming, he jumps up, folding up the tailgate. “Right, the place is two blocks away. You like Italian?”

“Lead the way.”

He walks quietly beside me as we travel past quaint shops and handfuls of locals. Some say hello to Hudson.

“I wanted to apologize for the other day in the barn,” he starts.

“Forget it, Rawlins, I got my wires crossed. I know exactly where you and I stand. Coach and rider, at a stretch... sometimes friends. It’s all good.” He opens his mouth to object, but I interrupt. “I’m starving, you?”

He adjusts his hat. “Yup.”

We cross the street, and he leads me through the door to the only Italian joint in town, Mama’s Place. The divine aroma of garlic and pasta sauce hits me. We walk to a table and Hudson waits until I am seated before sliding into a seat opposite me. “Busy day at the clinic?”

“Not really. One procedure this afternoon, then routine check-ups for the rest of the week. Without the equine visits, it’s kind of slow.”

“You’re not working horses?”

“Nope, Justin thought it was best to share the cool jobs around. So, I’m not back on the roster for ranch visits for another couple weeks. Good news is my days are much shorter. Like nine ’til three.”

“Oh, damn.” His face is unreadable. But he picks up the menu and studies it intently. I do the same, but with a little less vigor.

“If you’re finishing earlier now, did you want to add more lessons to your schedule?”

“Won’t that put you out? Surely you have other things to do apart from me.” When a cheeky grin splits his face, I realize my mistake. “I mean, apart fromhelpingme.”

He chuckles and drops his menu. “Howard, I will always have time for you. You can come out every afternoon, if you want.”

I feel heat rise in my neck and flush my cheeks. “It’s a fair bit of drive time. Maybe Tuesday and Thursdays, on top of our Saturday session?”

“Sergeant will be thrilled. You realize Tuesday is tomorrow?”

“Yes, Rawlins,” I drawl.

“Good. We’ll see you then. For now, what do you wanna eat?”

“Nothing beats spaghetti Bolognese, please.”

He raises a hand, and the waitress scoots over. “Two spaghetti Bolognese, please. And some water and bruschetta for the table.”

Glancing between us, she scribbles down our order before rushing away.

“You know, something has been bothering me these last few weeks. And you can tell me if it’s none of my business, but...”

I lean back in my chair. It’s either about a man or a horse. And by the sympathetic look that claims his gorgeous face, it’s not about a man. He wants to know about Jewls. And I want to tell him, so badly. I have, ever since that first lesson. But across the table feels so far away from him when I am about to pour my heart through my sleeve. So, I pick up the chair and come to sit by his side and he turns in his seat.

I open my mouth but air lodges in my throat as memories replay of the day. That course, the decisions I made.

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