Page 32 of Chasing Forever

I assumed the two women were guests, and didn’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. I smiled, hoping to ease some of the second woman’s discomfort. “It’s no problem. Is there something I can help you with? Maybe more towels for you room, or?—”

“Oh!” Woman Number Two let out a laugh. “No. Nothing like that. We actually wanted to introduce ourselves.”

My brows pulled together. “To who?”

The other woman had thick, glossy black hair, and the most striking deep, forest green eyes I’d ever seen. They popped even while they were narrowed on her friend. “So you areterribleat this,” she declared before turning her attention to me and smiling so big you would have thought I was an old friend she hadn’t seen forever. “I’m Lennix. And this walking bag of awkward is my sister-in-law, Rae. Our family owns and operates the lodge and ranch.”

My eyes widened. “Oh! You’re more Paulsons.” So far I’d met Rory, Becky, and Cord. Though Becky wasn’t technically a Paulson since she was Rory’s mother. Her last name was Hightower. I learned that the ranch was originally in the Hightower family. Then Rory married Cord Paulson, and, years later, their son Zach, took over the ranch. Since then, they’d expanded, and built the resort that was Second Hope. But they were all one big happy family, and they were all incredibly sweet. At least the ones I’d already met.

“Sure are,” the woman I now knew as Rae said proudly. “I’m married to Zach.”

“And I’m the baby of the whole brood.” Lennix gave me a once over, scanning me up and down in a way that made me feel like I was part of an exhibit before declaring out of nowhere, “You’re really pretty.”

My lips formed an O. “Um... thank you?”

“Oh, it was a compliment, for sure. You’re like, seriously gorgeous. With the dark hair and light eyes, you’ve got this whole Snow White vibe happening right now.”

I really wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Fortunately, I didn’t need to, because Lennix wasn’t finished.

“Word around town is that you’re shacking up with Tristan Fanning. I’ve known that guy basically my whole life, since our moms are besties. There’s a lot of that around here, you’ll see. Anyway, he’s like a brother to me, so I totally don’t see him that way. There’s no need to get territorial or anything.” I hadn’t even realized my whole body had gone stiff at her mention of Tristan. And sure enough, something territorial was stirring in my gut that must have been written all over my face. “But even though I’d never go there in a million years, because,ew, I’m not blind or dead, so I’m well aware how hot he is.”

Rae threw her arms up in exasperation. “See, this is exactly what I meant when I said you could come on a little strong. Ivy’s going to kick your ass if you scare her off. And she’s got that crazy pregnancy strength right now. She could totally do it.”

Lennix waved her hand at her sister-in-law while I stood there, wondering if I should find the whole situation hilarious or odd. I was leaning toward the former.

“You shush,” she ordered, then to me she said, “My curiosity has been driving me crazy. I have to know, what’s he like in bed?”

I proceeded to choke on my own spit.

“You know what? Ignore me.” Rae suddenly changed her tune, her curiosity piquing as well. “Lennix had the right idea. You see, he comes off as this great, super trustworthy guy. Like, he’s the dude you’d call if a pipe busts in your kitchen or something, and he drops everything to come fix it for you. But then there’s this swoon vibe beneath that, he’s this big, strong, alpha protector who’s capable of just...” She trailed off, and Lennix was all too happy to finish Rae’s thought for her.

“Ripping your panties off with his teeth?”

“Yep! That.”

My jaw hinged open, then closed, then opened again as I struggled to find the right words. All the while, I could feel heat creeping up my neck to my cheeks, and I knew I was probably glowing bright red.

“I . . . um . . .”

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want,” Lennix assured me. “I had to ask.” She lifted her arms in a shrug. “Can’t blame a girl for tryin’ right?”

“No, it’s just, well...” I bit down on my bottom lip. “We haven’t... you know,” God, I felt like I was in high school again. “We’re just friends.” Those words left behind a sour taste as I said them. It didn’t come close to doing us justice. How I felt for Tristan was so much more complex than friendship.

They both seemed surprised by my admission. “Oh,” Rae said after a few seconds.

Lennix crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, I gotta admit, I wasn’t expecting that. I just figured... you’re hot. He’s hot. You’re under the same roof. Seemed like nature would take its course there.”

My flush grew even deeper. My heart began beating a quick rhythm against my ribs.

Rae turned to Lennix. “And didn’t Ray say Tristan got all possessive at the bar that night when she was brought up?”

Lennix snapped excitedly. “He did! Like he didn’t want anyone else talking about her.”

I held up my hands to stop them. “Wait. I thought you were Rae.”

Rae smiled. “I’m Rae, R-A-E. We’re talking aboutRaylan. He’s the guy who handles the trail rides and fishing and other excursions around here.”

That made sense. I’d metthatRay already. He seemed nice enough. Then something else they said hit me. “He didn’t want other people talking about me?” I hadn’t meant for my question to come out sounding as breathy as it had.

---