Page 47 of Lasso Lovebirds

But what about the two of us?

What about thethreeof us?

Was I moving too fast?Maybe. My entire life, I’d always had a tendency to just jump right in. Sometimes you had to trust that wherever you landed, you would be okay.

For the most part, it worked out. Sure, I got some bruises along the way, but the path led me here—right?

My heart said yes to staying at Rainbow Ranch. I was going to take some more time to think about it, but I could always leave if I wanted to . . .

I wasn't trapped here, even if I decided to stay.

And knowing that I had the freedom to leave whenever I wanted reminded me even more about why I could stay.

Everything I told the two of them was true. I did enjoy working on the ranch, at least what I’d done so far. I loved the horses and going to the stables. I especially loved Dennis. Even some of the teenagers I’d met were fun. I could see why they loved coming here—I would've loved it too when I was their age.

This place was magic. Something about the landscape kissing the crisp blue skies. Something about the acceptance and love that was so clear to see. Everyone was like a giant family, and while I knew that not everything was sunshine and rainbows, it still felt like it.

It felt good knowing that people had each other’s backs—that they had someone to rely on. That type of family was rare, and it wasn’t even about blood.

Family by the bonds of trust—the kinds of relationships that lasted forever.

It was something that I’d been missing for a long time.

Community.

When I came out as non-binary, I lost most of my family. A couple of cousins kept in touch on social media, but for the most part, I was on my own. Since college, I’d been fighting my way through life, running after whatever made me happy with everything I had.

Giving it all my best.

Life was too damn short to only go halfway.

Just like life was too damn short to give up on the chance to fall in love with two amazing people.

Pris let out a long moan. “I need a cold shower.”

“Me too,” I said.

I slowly looked up at her, and she raised a brow. There was silence for one beat, then two, then—“I have a theory that we could both fit in the shower.”

“I think we should test that theory,” I said, taking a step closer to her.

“I think we should . . .”

Pris glanced around the garden then pulled off her gloves, signaling that we were officially done with work for the day. Never mind that it was a couple hours early. Between the two of us, we’d gotten a lot done, so I wasn’t worried if she wasn’t.

Besides, I definitely needed a cold shower with a hot woman, no matter the time of day.

My eyes drifted over Pris as I followed her back to the house. We slipped inside without drawing any attention, which was a damn miracle in this house.

The moment we hit the hallway, Pris turned and grabbed me by the shirt, pulling me into a kiss. I wound my arms around her neck as she backed me against the wall, the two of us groaning together. We backed up into her room and she broke away with a gasp.

“We need towels and clothes to change into,” she said quickly.

“I’ll grab my stuff,” I said.

We were on a damn mission. I rushed to my room and grabbed my towel, a T-shirt, and loose sweats, meeting her in the hallway. We both stared for a second, and then she grinned, the two of us bursting into laughter.

“We’re a mess,” she said.

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