Page 199 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“When do they ever mind?” I laughed. “Come on now, you practically live there.”

“Fine, but let’s drop my mine first so I can see my mom and dad and let them know I’m back. And I’ll pick up some clothes so I can stay at yours.”

“Okay. Sounds good.” I grinned at her. “If I didn’t tell you already, I’m glad you’re back.”

“You told me ten minutes ago, Wyatt. Do you have Alzheimer’s or something?”

“Oh, let’s hope not.” I pulled her towards me.

“What are you doing?” She pushed me away.

“I don’t know. I just wanted to give you a hug or something.”

“Oh, Wyatt Hamilton, you are a weird one.”

“Mm, I might be a weird one, but I’m not as weird as you, Sadie Johnson.”

“So what are we going to watch tonight?”

“What do you want to watch tonight?”

“A rom-com.”

“Oh no.” I shook my head. “I hate rom-com. They’re so unbelievable. And they make women think that men are going to be perfect. And trust me, there are no perfect men, and you of all people should know better, Sadie, because you’ve grown up with seven Hamilton men. You know none of us are perfect. And yet you have this idea that you’re going to be swept off your feet by a Prince Charming.”

“I am going to be swept off my feet by a Prince Charming,” she insisted. “I mean, I hope so.”

“Girl, there are no Prince Charmings. When are you going to understand that?”

“Don’t say that, Wyatt.”

“What? You don’t want to hear the truth?”

“Just because you aren’t romantic doesn’t mean a romantic man’s not out there. I mean, look at Austin and Beau and how much they love Olivia and Lucy. I want what they have.”

“Okay.” I shook my head. “Delusional.”

“Why am I delusional? Just because I want a fairy tale?”

“Yeah. Fairy tales don’t exist, Sadie. And as your best friend, I’m here to remind you of that. Don’t have all these crazy expectations. And the best way to stop having these expectations is to stop watching rom-com.”

“Fine,” she said, “We can watch anything you want to watch then, seeing as you’re the boss of everyone.”

“You’re such a drama queen, Sadie. But I’m glad you know I’m the boss of you as well,” I teased her. “That’s great. There’s this new horror movie on Netflix—”

“I don’t want to watch horror. I hate watching horror at night. I can’t sleep.”

“Well, you can share the bed with me. And if you get scared, just bury your head in my shoulder.”

“But I get nightmares when I watch horror movies.”

“Well, I’ll protect you, Sadie. You know that, right?”

“I know.” She smiled. “You are the best best friend, Wyatt. But …” She turned away.

“What? I frowned “What’s the matter?”

“My cousins think it’s kind of weird that we still share a bed sometimes.”

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