Page 133 of Sawyer

“Nice to meet you,” I say. “Looking forward to seeing you next time.”

Yes, motherfucker, I’ll be here. Just like I’ll be here the time after that, and the time after that.

Dan trots to the family room to give June one last hug. He does say hi to Ella, which I have to give him credit for—the guy’s not a total loser. Ava wouldn’t have married him if he was.

Then he’s opening the door and walking through it.

“Here, I’ll walk you out.” Following him, I glance at Ava over my shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

My heart skips at the steadiness of her gaze. She’s not worried about me doing something stupid outside.

She trusts me. In a way I don’t think she was ever able to trust Dan.

I wait until he and I are standing beside his truck to speak. I keep my voice low, tone even. Cool as a cucumber.

“So, hey,” I begin, looking him square in the eye. “I’m gonna be nice to you in front of Ava and Junie, because they really do mean the world to me.”

Dan peers at me from the corner of his eye. He’s gripping the door handle of his truck like a lifeline. “Okay.”

“But you ever make my girl cry again, I won’t be this nice. Understood?”

His eyes narrow, flashing with anger. I notice his grip on the door loosens.

For a split second, I thinkhe’sgoing to do something stupid. Push me, or even try to land a punch. But I stay cool, holding eye contact despite the very real urge I have to ball my hands into fists.

“That was a misunderstanding,” Dan says at last. “I apologized to Ava.”

“I don’t care. You make her cry, you’ll see a side of me you’re not gonna like.”

His jaw tics again. “How long y’all been dating?”

“Long enough to know she deserves better’n you.”

He glares at me. “That’s uncalled for.”

“I said my piece. Long as we understand each other, Dan, we’ll be good.”

He keeps glaring at me for another long beat before finally yanking open his door. “Whatever.”

Climbing inside, he revs the engine and peels out of the driveway.

“Everything okay?” Ava asks when I’m back in the kitchen.

I pick up a wooden spoon and give the chili a stir. It’s been simmering on her stove for an hour now. “Everything’s perfect. Y’all hungry?”

“For you?” Smiling, she wraps her arms around my waist. “Always.”

CHAPTER31

Ava

WEAR THE HAT

Sawyer dancingat a honky-tonk is sexy.

Sawyer climbing into bed naked and hard is hot.

But Sawyer doing cowboy shit in chaps and a Stetson?

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