Page 6 of A Forbidden Spring
So instead of relishing in two of us being blissfully happy, she’d made it her mission to drop passive-aggressive hints to help speed things along for the rest of us.
It’s really the last thing I want to deal with tonight, but I can’t leave Beau to fend for himself, especially when Jesse would sacrifice any of us to save himself from the scrutiny.
My lips twitch as I navigate the country roads, the view helping me breathe a little easier as I settle back in my seat. The last couple of days had been a mindfuck, first with Merrick being a dick, then his confession, and finally the one-eighty that had taken place today in the break room.
He’d seemed sincere, and most of the girls were over the moon with the gesture. I’d been happy for Astrid’s sake—for him opening up to the group and sharing something that would, hopefully, ease the tension that had been present since he started.
But none of that changed the fact that I’d had a visceral reaction to him in his office—hot and broody sitting behind his desk with his sleeves rolled up his forearms. I’d been fuming when I stormed in there, initially blinded by his hotness.
Until he unfolded himself from his chair and watching me like some kind of predator. The sparring had been fun, and I wanted more of it.
But then he threw in that ominous little warning about being the boss when I saw him today.
Stupid, hot, arrogant prick.
I’m scowling by the time I pull up to my parents’ house and turn off the ignition. I’ve never allowed a man to get under my skin like this.
And he’s myboss.
Stomping up the walkway and onto the porch, I don’t have a chance to turn the handle before the door whips open, revealing Beau with a pained look on his face.
“Here,” he says, handing me a glass of amber liquid as he shuffles us farther inside the house.
“It can’t be that bad,” I whisper before taking a sip and wincing at the burn.
“Mom already tried to hook me up with Holly, because and I quote, ‘it really seems like she’s changed.’”
“Oh, hell no,”I hiss, both for my brother’s sake and knowing that the she-witch is also trying to seduce my boss at every turn.
“Wren!” my mother singsongs as she wraps me in a tight hug. No matter who she tries to hook us up with, she still gives the best hugs. “How are you?”
Elora Sterling is everything I hope to be when I’m her age. She’s beautiful and warm with a slight build and dark hair that falls in waves around her shoulders. Her hair is streaked with gray, the strands somehow making her look elegant instead of old.
“Hey Mom, can I help with anything?”
“No, it’s all taken care of, but did you know there’s a young man working at the feed store that just moved here and?—”
“Elora,” my father chides, “give them a break.” She huffs as he presses a kiss to her temple but melts against him when he wraps her in a hug, making Winston Sterling my favorite person in the room.
My father winks at me as Jesse walks in the door, kicking his boots off on the mat, his eyes widening as he takes us all in. I can see him calculating whether he can slip back out the door, and I can’t have that.
“Jesse!” I coo and smirk when he narrows his gaze at me. “Welcome.”
Sighing, he lets our mother fawn all over him, whispering that she’s found averynice young man that he might be interested in.
Leaving him to fend for himself, I find my father leaning against the counter. His face lights up when he sees me, holding his arm out so I can snuggle against his side.
“Hi Daddy,” I murmur, completely unashamed that I’ve reverted to being a little girl seeking comfort from my father after a stressful week.
“That boss of yours still giving you trouble?”
“Not exactly.” He waits while I work through the thoughts in my head, everything a little less daunting now that I’m here. “He’s abrasive—doesn’t seem like he wants to get to know the town or us.” I shrug. “I don’t like that he’s trying to be so detached.”
“Have you brought him your proposal?”
I shake my head because I’d been hoping for a more opportune time, one when Merrick is more approachable, more open.
More human.
