Page 46 of Lasso Lovebirds

They shook their head. “It’s more than just the two of you. For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong somewhere. And I don’t mind the hard work. I think it’d be good for me when I’m not storm chasing. Plus, when it is storm season, I’d be at the center of it all. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Making sense and it being right for you can be two different things.” I breathed out slowly, trying not to get my hopes up. “I want you to stay, of course. But I never want someone to make a life-changing decision because of me. Or because they feel like they have to.”

Sky was quiet for a moment. “Did you have something like that happen to you?”

My chest squeezed. “Yes,” I admitted.

I didn’t talk about it very often, but there were days where that part of my life felt like a nightmare that would never go away. I hated that someone had made me feel like less, when I knew I was worthy of everything good.

Beau knew some of the story. Not all, but some.

Now it was time for me to tell Sky.

“I was married once. For a couple years, to a man named Jacob. And we were really good together at first, but it went downhill fast. I wasn’t allowed to be in control of my life or really anything. It took a lot of courage to finally leave him.”

“You’re courageous,” they said. “And strong. One of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”

I blinked back tears. “Sometimes I just want to be soft though, you know?”

Sky nodded gently. “I do. You can be soft with me. And Beau.”

I snorted, fighting the tears until I really couldn’t. “I’m scared of falling in love and losing myself.”

“When you fall in love with the right person, they’d be there to remind you of who you are. If you got lost, they’d help lead you back. They’d be there to support you and love you and cherish you.” Sky swallowed hard, looking up at me. Sunlight highlighted the side of their face, turning their irises to honey. “Call me a hopeless romantic, Pris, but that’s what I feel when I think of you and Beau.”

I sniffled and they reached up, gently thumbing away a tear.

It was scary to feel all of these emotions. It made me feel like I was falling.

But maybe I was falling into something good.

Maybe I was falling right where I needed to land.

14

sky

Sweat drenchedmy shirt as I stood up, twisting side to side to stretch my back. I was gonna be so sore, I could already feel every muscle protesting.

Althoughmaybethat was from the activities in the truck last night.

My cheeks reddened at the thought of Beau. I’d never forget last night as long as I lived.

Being sore was worth it—whether it was from gardening or . . .plowing? Getting plowed?

There was something deeply satisfying about working in the garden, though. I could see why Pris loved it. Working with the earth, harvesting things that we would actually eat, and knowing that Boone would turn them into something delicious. It made it all the more fun to be here, even though I felt gross right now.

“Here,” Priscilla said.

I looked up as she handed me a water bottle, and took it eagerly. The water was cool against my lips as I took a long sip, quenching my thirst.

But there was something else entirely that I was still thirsty for.

We’d kissed a couple of times now.

I’d been with Beau.

The two of them had been together.

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