Page 87 of Duke
“Tell me something,” he says after a beat.
“Yeah?”
“Is Haines going back to SMU?”
I nod, smearing snot all over Duke’s T-shirt. For a split second, I’m mortified, but then I remember that this is a cowboy, and he’s used to being dirty. He just said he’s not bothered by a mess.
Hewouldcare if I said something or pulled away. So I don’t.
I melt into him and say, “Yeah. He’s taking some classes there over the summer.”
“And Mollie’s sticking around the ranch for now.”
“As far as I know, yes.”Where is he going with this?
“Are your parents around to help you at all?”
“My parents.” I scoff. “I’m not going to say anything to them unless we decide to keep the baby.”
I feel him stiffen. “You’re not gonna tell your parents—”
“Well, maybe I’ll tell my mom. But I definitely won’t tell my dad. It’s easier this way, trust me.”
My head tilts back as Duke’s chest barrels out on an enormous inhale. “So you’re gonna be on your own here.”
“I have friends,” I say defensively, lifting my head to look at him.
He’s looking down at me, deep grooves in his forehead. “Don’t shoot me down right away, all right?”
“Duke—”
“I want you to come back to the ranch with me. Just…only until we figure out what to do. You’re sick, Blue. You gotta let someone take care of you, and that someone should be me and my family.”
Aaaannd now I’m literally weak in the knees. Great.
Just freaking great.
This guy is so freaking great.
“But work—”
“You do it at the ranch. You haven’t mentioned any trunk shows or meetings you have in the next couple weeks.”
My breath catches. “You really pay attention, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“I don’t know if I like it when you call me ma’am.”
“Yes,Blue, I do pay attention to you.” He lets go of my hair and slips that hand around my nape. “I’m not leaving you here alone. So either you invite me to stay in Dallas until we make a decision—”
“Butyourwork—you can’t just—”
“Leave the ranch to take care of something important? Yes, I can. And I will.”
I flatten my hand on his chest. I feel his heart beating thickly, strongly, against the wall of muscle there. “Maybe we should just make the call then? Get this over with.”
“Are you ready?”
