Page 182 of The Friend Situation

He climbs into his truck and backs the trailer in place. After he unhooks it next to the barn, Carlee grabs a pack from the side-by-side and ties it to the saddle strings.

“Are you sure you know how to ride?” she asks when we’re alone.

“Babe,” I mutter.

“Look, Dakota loves to run and spooks easily.” She shakes her head. “No, you should take Colby’s horse. You’re used to proper little ponies because of your polo playing.” She bursts into laughter.

I scoff. “Was that a burn?”

She winks, trading reins with me. “You’re not a cowboy.”

“And you are?”

“Damn straight,” she says, lifting herself onto the saddle with ease. Carlee clicks her tongue, glancing at me over her shoulder. “Come on.”

“Okay, that’s hot,” I tell her, climbing onto Thor.

He doesn’t seem to give any fucks as we move along leisurely down the trail.

I catch up to Carlee, trotting behind her, unable to take my eyes off of her.

I fucking adore seeing her in her element like this.

She glances around at the rolling hills and woods. Sunshine beams down on us, and she closes her eyes, soaking it in.

“Home,” she says, smiling. “I’ve missed it so much.”

“I can see why,” I admit. “The weather is great for February. It’s an oasis here. Your family is incredible, and I can tell how close you are with everyone. They love you.”

She smiles. “Yeah, but they tend to forget about me too. It’s the out-of-sight, out-of-mind type of thing. If I could, I’d have a place here and my apartment in the city, splitting my time between the two. Writing my blog. Just loving my life.”

“So, let’s do it. We can search for property while we’re here.”

A cool breeze blows through the tall grasses as we follow a trail that leads into an opening in the trees.

She turns to me. “Weston.”

“Would it make you happy?”

“Property here isveryexpensive and hard to come by.” Her hips rock forward as she rides. “Things don’t get listed for sale often.”

“Everything is for sale with the right price.” I study her. “Also, our definitions ofexpensivearen’t the same.”

“You know I don’t care about any of that, right? Money, fame—none of that will ever make me happy. I just want you.” Carlee smiles so sweetly as we continue to mosey down the dusty trail. “I can just imagineushere, escaping the weight of the world together, breathing in fresh air, enjoying the sunshine. It brings me comfort.”

I lose myself in thought as we continue into the dense forest. The temperature drops in the shadows, and the horses follow the trail without guidance. I reach out and take her hand, kissing the ring. Sunlight leaks through the branches, and I inhale the fresh scent of earth and dirt.

“This ring—it was your grandmother’s?” Carlee asks.

“Yes,” I admit. “You know, I always said I’d give that ring to the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with.”

She licks her lips, glancing at it. “I shouldn’t have this.”

“You absolutely should,” I say.

“Why doesn’t Lena have it?”

I give her a small smile. “She refused to accept a secondhand diamond.”

---