Page 122 of Sawyer

“You know it’d be a tragedy, right?”

“What would?”

“If you let this fear you have of people disappointing you sabotage what could be a really beautiful time in your life. I love you, but I can already see you thinking you’d be better off if you end things now before Sawyer inevitably lets you down.”

“Because he will let me down, Dot.”

“Of course he will! Everyone disappoints you sometimes. But I think the difference is, Sawyer will never disappoint you by asking you to abandon who you really are.”

My heart squeezes.It’s true.

Deep down, I know Sawyer will let me be the free spirit I am in a way that Dan never, ever did.

Sawyer will show up for me without insisting I change first. Without the condition that I be smaller, sweeter,less.

Reading my mind, Dottie continues softly, “You’re assuming the worst, Ava. You think he’ll let you down and your relationship will implode because he’s going to wind up thinking you’re somehow deficient. But how about you tell yourself this story instead: that you love Sawyer for who he is, and he loves you the same way, andthatis your happily ever after, full stop? Screw the picket fences and the joint bank accounts. It’s about y’all, and the two of you clearly mean a lot to each other. I know this whole thing started with some really hot sex?—”

“The sex is so, so good, Dot.”

“So it’s true that everything really is bigger in Texas, huh?”

“No comment.”

“You lucky bitch. Anyway, y’all started as a one-night stand. But now I feel like you’ve somehow managed to become friends first, fuck buddies second? Like the whole thing’s been reversed but in, like, the best way?”

“Sawyer is a really great friend.”

“Dan never was.” Dottie chews. “I rest my case. It’s time to be brave, A. Dry your eyes, put on your dancing boots, and go tell your cowboy how you feel.”

“Even if I’m a blotchy mess?”

“Especially if you’re a blotchy mess. Something tells me Sawyer is gonna make you feel a hell of a lot better.”

CHAPTER29

Sawyer

VIGILANTE SHIT

Ava is late.

She’s never late.

Glancing at my phone, I see that she hasn’t returned any of my texts. Makes me anxious. Everything okay? Something happen with June’s pickup? I know her ex was supposed to grab her earlier. She and I had plans to meet up here at The Rattler after Caroline came over to my house at six to babysit Ella.

“Dude.” Wyatt eyes me as he tips back his longneck. “It’s just half an hour. I’m sure she’s fine. Girls are late all the time.”

Mollie grins, putting a hand on her swollen belly. “I can attest to that.”

“Aw, honey, that’s the good kind of late.” Cash plants a kiss on her lips, smiling like a lovestruck idiot. “You’re so beautiful.”

She gently scratches his beard on the underside of his chin. “You’re so hot. You know how much I love you in that hat.” She reaches up to touch the brim of his Stetson.

“Wanna wear it later?” He smirks.

Mollie’s eyes flash. “Like you even need to ask.”

“Please don’t lock everyone out of the women’s restroom so y’all can bang in there,” Tallulah, the bartender, pleads. “We have a full house tonight.”

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