Page 86 of Sawyer

“God she’s cute,” I murmur to Ava as we watch June make a beeline for Lee.

Ava grabs a jacket. “She is when she wants to be.”

“Aren’t they all? Here, lemme get that.” I take the jacket from her and hold it up. “We lucked out. It’s not as chilly as I thought it’d be, but you’ll still be glad you have this.”

Ava digs her teeth into her bottom lip before turning around to slip her arms into the jacket. I place it on her shoulders, arcing my thumb over the inside of her neck.

Her breath catches, a flash of heat moving across her eyes. “Thank you. Now let’s get the hell out of here before Junie changes her mind about her allowing you to borrow me.”

CHAPTER21

Ava

BONFIRE

Sawyer looks—smells—goodenough to eat. The Stetson is just … yeah, chef’s kiss. And the flowers? I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since.

He also drove over twenty miles out of his way to pick me up.

Not only that, he was an enthusiastic participant in duck duck goose. He and his mustache even charmed my nanny, for God’s sake.

Then there’s the fact that his truck is neat as a pin. No disgusting cups of discarded tobacco in the cupholders—Dan left his everywhere, even inmycar. No trash on the floor. There’s not even a stray Goldfish or hair tie in the back, where Ella’s plum-colored car seat is strapped in.

It’s also a really nice truck. New. Safe. Cushy, even, with heated leather seats and a stellar sound system that pumps Teddy Swims songs as we drive through the deepening twilight.

“I had a cool, old F-150 before,” he explains. “But once I could afford something newer—something safer and more comfortable for Ella—I got this truck. When Mollie and Cash combined our ranches, they made my brothers and me equal partners in everything. Got a big pay raise that day.”

So that explains why he was able to splash out on all that champagne in Austin.

Also. It’s obvious Sawyercares. Not about luxury or showing off his newfound wealth. But he takes care of his things the same way he takes care of his people.

He’s aware—he pays attention—in a way that makes my chest ache. He carries his weight. Takes on his fair share of life’s work and then some.

I’ve never met a man like him.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure they existed until—well, I met Sawyer.

“You feel all right leaving Junie tonight?” He drapes his wrist over the top of the steering wheel. He puts his other hand on my thigh, awareness blooming to life between my legs.

I love the way this man touches me. How casually, confidently possessive he is. I don’t think he could play games if he tried. He likes me, he wants me, and he isn’t afraid to show it.

“I’m getting better about it. I definitely needed the break. I’m a better mom when I can put my oxygen mask on for a bit, you know?”

“I know. I find myself snapping at Ella because I’m just so burned out. It’s not fair to either of us.”

I put my hand over his on my leg. “Still hard not to feel guilty.”

“Really hard.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “But I’m hoping I’ll get in the habit of going out more.”

“Preferably with me.”

He smiles at the familiar line, a handsome flash of white teeth and those fucking dimples. Could he be more devastatingly delicious?

“That’s the hope, pretty girl.”

My turn to swallow. “I’m not sure I remember how to date.”

“I got no fuckin’ clue what I’m doing.” He turns his head a little to glance at me. “Maybe we can learn together?”

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