Page 37 of His North Star
He had me there. Regardless, James had spent money on the tickets, and he’d be disappointed if I didn’t use them. “Trail ride aside. Do you want to go with me?” How sad was it that I only had one friend to ask?
“A night out with you?” He groaned like that would be torture.
I sang, “You know you want to.”
“I can never say no to you. What time do we need to leave?”
“At four. Want to pick me up?”
“Oh, not only are you begging me to go, now I have to drive as well? Geez, you really know how to charm your way into getting what you want,” he said sarcastically.
“Hey.” I pretended to be offended. “Maybe I’ll go ask someone else then.” Although, if Ty said no, the only other people I could ask would be Dad or Landon. I really needed more friends.
“Don’t bother,” he said. “You’re stuck with me now. I’ll be by at four.”
“Thanks, Ty. Oh, and hey, don’t forget your boots and hat. If we’re doing this thing, we’re doing it right.”
T-Rex-Ler:I’m here.
Ty always came to my door like a gentleman. Lazy Boots couldn’t even walk up the stairs. Whatever. I grabbed my purse, then hurdled down my apartment stairs. I stumbled to a stop halfway. My breath caught in my throat.
I withdrew my request for him to wear his cowboy hat and boots.
Ty belonged on the cover of theCowboy Lifestylemagazine. My jaw hung slack as I made my way to his truck. He leaned against the hood with one knee bent, his heel resting on the bumper. A piece of hay twirled in his hand.
I’d gotten used to seeing him in suits or gym shorts.
This look?Smokin’ hot.
Oh man. I fanned myself, lost in his tight jeans and the cowboy hat on his gorgeous head. My pulse skittered. A circus was in full swing in my stomach. This man. Why did he have to be so devastatingly handsome and completely off-limits?
When Ty’s gaze met mine, his eyes bulged. He slowly perused my outfit. “Dang, Mare.” He whistled low. “You look. . . gorgeous.” He shook his head. “Wow. Just wow.”
I laughed. “Right back atcha, stud.”Okay, body, time to tamp down these feelings.
He came around to open my door. I hopped up, offering my thanks. After clicking my seatbelt in place, I stuffed my hands under my legs. My pulse still skittered at the sight of Ty.
Once he settled into the driver’s seat, Ty asked, “Where are we headed?”
I gave him directions, then turned the radio up. Ty sang along, and I lost myself in years’ worth of moments exactly like this one—Ty driving and me admiring him from the passenger seat. I smiled over at Ty, my heart light. This man had been by my side through thick and thin. I could always count on him.
“Thanks for coming with me.” If only it were a real date.
“Happy to.” He smiled in that way that cemented itself to my core. I had the bestest best friend in the universe.
“Will you sing with me?” Ty asked during a commercial break.
I scrunched my nose and shook my head. “You know I prefer to listen to you.” Ty’s voice wasn’t Grammy Award worthy, but it was darn close. Mine? Not so much.
“And I prefer when we do it together,” he countered.
Of course he did. During our teen years, we experimented in the kitchen quite a bit. Ty would turn his music on, and we’d perform while cooking together. Our spatulas were the best microphones. Even now, I liked having music on when cooking. It connected me to Ty, and that was never a bad thing.
The next song that came on happened to be by Lady A, which was perfect for our voices to join. Mine ruined it, but somehow Ty never seemed to mind. We held out the last notes, giving it our best. Laughter burst from deep within me when the song ended.
“So what’s Lys up to tonight?” I asked.
His lips went into a tight line.
