Page 80 of Tinder Embrace
Thankfully, I'd learned to solve my problems with money, words, and the occasional drink.
Like a fucking adult.
"Keep her name out of your mouth," I warned.
"Sorry, man. Let me buy you a cup of coffee to make it up to you," Dallas offered, finally realizing how close he’d come to disaster.
Nodding, I tried to remember that I liked Dallas.Mostof the time.
Conversation moved on to safer topics, and I relaxed.
I pitched my empty cup into the trash can and excused myself, driving back to the farm to get on with my day. Dallas's words still bothered me, and I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension there.
Claiming Sophie as my own publicly was moving higher on my to-do list.
My Belle was too fucking beautiful to have the town thinking she was single. Creeps like Dallas would continue to make crude comments if we didn’t make our relationship official. Having to hear that kind of garbage was sure to bring out the worst in me. Maybe making it clear that we were a couple, that she was under my protection, would stop the gossip.
Sure.
I snorted. Because I caredso muchabout gossip.
Sophie could absolutely protect herself. My candy-coated badass could handle a chauvinist flirt like Dallas with a smile on her face. He wouldn't even know what hit him.
My urge to claim her had more to do with getting her to admit she had feelings for me beyond lust and friendship than it did with any fears of competition.
Sharing my feelings with her was probably Step A. So why did that still seem scarier than a crop rife with downy mildew?
Losing her could destroy me.
I had to have faith her feelings went as deep as mine. She was usually so vocal, every feeling painted across her gorgeous face, but she hadn’t said a word about love. If she was just having fun while I was falling hard, I’d be devastated.
I inhaled, filling my lungs, expanding my chest before letting my breath gust out in one long exhale.
I loved Sophie. I believed she loved me. I just hand to hang on to that certainty.
My past might have its ugly bits, but my future promised to be beautiful with her by my side.
I only had to find the courage to tell her.
Chapter 30
Sophie
I survived my Monday and Tuesday in the classroom. Barely. I shuddered every time one of my students scratched, sure we were on the cusp of another outbreak. It was a relief to drive to the Pruitt Farm Tuesday evening for our usual campfire gathering. If I drove faster than usual, it was because I was eager to see my friends. It had nothing to do with the overnight bag Davis had asked me to pack.
I glanced uneasily at my backpack in the passenger seat. I could only hope that Jo and I would still be friends after tonight. Grimacing, I focused on the turn to the Pruitt Farm, parking in front of the house.
Davis opened the front door, sweeping me into his arms with a welcoming kiss that made me giddy. I loved that he was here to welcome me. Even two months ago, Davis would have been hiding away, working somewhere on the farm.
Tonight, he wore his usual jeans and flannel, but he was freshly showered. The scent of soap clung to his skin, wafting toward me as he edged nearer.
"Need any help?" He shoved his hands in his back pockets as we pulled apart, as if he needed the reminder not to reach for me again.
"I'm good. Okay if I drop this off before I head to the fire pit?" I asked, hoisting my bag.
“I’ll take it.” A smile slowly overtook his handsome features. The glint of warmth in his blue eyes, the hint of pleasure in the quirk of his mouth, warmed me from the inside.
"I'll drive you out if you want," he offered.
