Page 118 of The Americana Playbook

“If you’re going to be spending all the time with this stud, I at least want to make sure he’s cut from good stock.” Fitz jumps when Bernard flings his head back.

I reach up, stroking his nose. “Shh. You’ve insulted him.”

Abby taps the fence post. “I’ll let you two be. I’m in the office.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask when Abby has stepped far enough away. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the hotel?”

The Rebels’ camp begins today, which means Fitz will be away for the next two weeks.

“Newlyweds get a late pass.”

“You can’t exactly blame me,” I tell him. “I’ve been with my lover all morning.”

“Yeah, well, trust me, it’s probably not in my best interest to admit my wife prefers hanging out with another man already and we haven’t even been married for two weeks.” Fitz laughs. “No, this actually was on my way. I just wanted to stop by and see what all the fuss is about with this guy.”

I loosen my grip on the reins so Bernard can dip to nibble on the high grass sprouting around the post of the white fence. “He’s special, isn’t he?” I ask while smoothing down the horse’s mane. When Fitz doesn’t answer, I turn back to him, finding him staring. “What?”

“Yeah,” he says, clearing his throat. “Anything that makes you smile like that has to be pretty damn amazing. And worth the money,” Fitz adds. “So you better like him since he’s officially yours. I hear it’s kind of hard to return a horse.”

I lift my hand off Bernard. “What?”

“I need to go in there.” Fitz tips his head toward the office. “And finish up some paperwork.”

Reaching out to grab his arm, I stop him. “What do you meanhe’s mine?”

“I bought him for you as a wedding gift.”

“What do you mean as a wedding gift? I don’t need your?—”

“Save your inheritance for something meaningful. Whatever that might be.” Fitz redirects his attention from me, still standing with my mouth open, to Bernard. “If my wife gets hurt on your watch, you’re going to have to answer to me.”

Bernard continues to munch on grass.

Me, on the other hand? I drop his lead and step onto the first plank of the fence so I can reach Fitz. Without hesitation, I press my lips to his quickly and then wrap my arms around him. “I can’t believe you did this.”

He gives me the softest squeeze. “I just want you to have everything you always wanted.”

I don’t know why tears come, but they do. They’re happy tears, of course. But more than that, I’m overwhelmed. I drop back down on the ground and go to wipe at my face with the back of my hand, but Fitz beats me to it, brushing my tears away with his thumb.

“You’re out of your mind,” I sniffle.

“Yeah. I’ve heard a lot of that recently.” He smooths down a patch of grass with his foot. “You going to be okay while I’m gone?”

The longest amount of time we’ve spent apart was no more than three days.

“No,” I tell him, honestly. “But I’ll manage. Did you forget where you found me all those months ago?”

There’s a soft flare to Fitz’s jaw, and I feel bad.

“I’ll be fine. I’m onvacation,remember?I’ll be home and here.” I reach behind me, patting Bernard.

Fitz smiles, but for some reason, I don’t get the sense he’s all that reassured.

“I won’t have any parties.” I joke, trying to soften him up.

“You can call me,” Fitz says gently. “At night. If you need to. You know, if you need a distraction.”

I grow a little uncomfortable and try to lighten the air. “So you won’t give me sex, but phone sex is on the table?”

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