Page 38 of Every Single Wildflower
“A while.” She crosses her legs. “I never really knew anything for certain. I just saw how he looked at you. How he’s always looked at you when he thought no one was paying attention.”
I sigh. “It’s complicated. Was complicated,” I correct.
She tilts her head. “Not anymore?”
“It’s not a thing, Dakota. At one point in time there may have been some feelings, but it was just a phase. He was clear on that before I left. We are not…. there is not awe.”My stomach rolls at the notion.
“I disagree,” she adds.
“It can’t really work, Dakota,” I scoff.
“And why not?”
“He’s Brady’s brother.” I point out with a raised finger. “Laiken’s brother.” I point on another finger. “He works here at the ranch.” I add another finger.
“All of those are facts, Ivy. Not reasons,” she argues.
“Laiken would hate me,” I voice. The other reason my guilt has always been so strong. “Who the hell dates both of her friend’s brothers?”
“Ivy, you and Brady happened years ago. You were kids. You're an adult now. So is Maddox.” Her hand reaches for me.
“I know that. But you know how this town is. You think we could just walk into the Mayson Jar hand in hand and live happily ever after?” I push to my feet. “No. There would be whispers, gossip, blame. Anything you can think of. I’d be labeled awhore,and whatever name they want to throw at me. Not to mention, Millie. She’d be heartbroken if I caused more rift between her children.”
“Ok, I get it.” She stands, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You got a lot going on right now. Which is why I came over.”
I glance down at her jeans. “You have on your dancing jeans.”
“I know.” She waggles her brows. “We’re going out. Cooper is rounding up the guys, and we are swinging by to grab Laiken.”
“I don’t really think I…” I begin but a slap to my ass has me yelping.
“Get moving.” She points past me. “And wear your favorite dress with the yellow flowers.”
I somehow find the will to allow my feet to move, but the thought of what happened the last time I wore that dress flashes in my mind.
But tonight, maybe I could forget.
Chapter twenty-nine
Ivy
The Mason Jar transforms from a quiet little café to a full-blown honky tonk once the clock strikes eight. The large room in the back is cleared of tables to make room for the dance floor, and the corner stage now houses a live band. As soon as we are inside, Dakota makes a beeline for the bar, while I follow Laiken to the other side of the room to snag a table. Cooper, Maddox, and Clyde are already sitting at a bar top table with a pitcher of beer and a couple of barflies lingering behind them. I recognize one from high school. Seems she never grew out of thedesperationstage. Laiken hops up on the seat next to herbrother, while I sit by Cooper, trying to avoid any accidental eye contact with the man across from me.
“Where’s Ryder?” I ask as Cooper pours me a beer.
“He doesn’t go out.” He hands me the glass.
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“I mean, he rarely leaves the ranch unless it’s for work purposes or to eat. He’s practically a hermit.”
A part of me feels for Ryder. I know he’s still tore up over what happened eight years ago, but I figured he’d have at least moved on by now.
“That’s sad.” I sip my beer, scanning the crowd to see so many familiar faces.
When my eyes land on the bar, Dakota already has a tall cowboy leaning down into her space, a huge smile on his face. The poor sap will no doubt be buying her drinks tonight. She was an expert in harmless flirtation, and she did it well. Typically, it always ended up benefiting the whole group, so I had no objections to her antics. Except when I would catch the flash of hurt on Cooper’s face. Like I just saw now. It’s gone as quick as it came, and I watch Allison, one of the girls begging for anyone to give her a hint of attention, slip up next to him and whisper in his hear. She giggles as he stands, tugging her to the dance floor.
I glance at Laiken, who already has her phone out. “Laik. Trace is fine.”
