Obviously, we were careful, but there’s always a chance.
Maize: I’m on the pill, and we used a condom.
Rowan: Did you remember to take your pill?
These questions aren’t helping the way I feel right now.
Maize: I think so…I mean, sometimes I forget, but typically I do!
Rowan: Oh my God…
Maize: Shut up. I swear. I’m not pregnant.
Rowan: Then take a test.
Maize: We hooked up like three weeks ago. It’d be too soon to know anyway.
Rowan: Maybe. I’m buying you a test, though, just to be sure.
I roll my eyes, though I know she will.
Maize: And when I prove to you I’m NOT, you owe me $100!
Rowan: Ha! You better cross your fingers and toes you aren’t. Unless you want Mr. Brooding Cowboy as your baby daddy ;)
Maize: I hate you so much.
I roll over and bury my face in the pillow. I’ll probably never be able to live this down. Thank God no one else knows about it other than Rowan and Kenzie. As the thought crosses my mind, I get a text from her.
Kenzie: Do you feel okay?
Maize: Yep, I just had to get out of there.
Kenzie: Okay good. Kinda worried me. Sidenote: I can’t believe Gavin’s working for Uncle Jackson. What are the odds?
With a groan, I reply. I was half hoping she’d forgotten that night, but Gavin isn't the forgettable type. Not with his dark hair, blue eyes, and pouty lips. She witnessed us flirting, saw us leave together, and knows I slept with him.
Maize: I don’t know, but I’M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
Kenzie: Why? He’s hot as hell and was totally into you that night at the bar. I’m ecstatic we have some real-life cowboy man candy to drool over. Might put in a good word to Aunt Kiera and see if she can hire someone more my age, though.
Maize: Ugh. Can we drop this?
Kenzie: I guess, but only because I gotta get back to work!
Then again, I can’t deny how damn sexy he looked in those jeans and boots. I almost ask Kenzie if he’s still there but decide against it. If I close my eyes, I almost remember the smell of his skin against mine. As soon as I think about rolling around naked in the sheets with him, I push it away. Even though my mind is all over the place, I somehow force myself to sleep.
The next morning, I’m in a weird mood. It’s a reminder to keep my ass home regardless of how much Kenzie and Rowan pressure me to go out. Next time, I’m sticking to my guns and watching Netflix like I wanted.
I drink a cup of coffee and leave before Dad like always. While I grab the ingredients for breakfast, I’m distracted. My employees arrive on time, and I’m thankful because when they’re around, I have no time to think about my complicated but nonexistent love life.
As soon as six rolls around, the dining room quickly fills up with people. At seven, I check the buffet status, and that’s when I see Gavin. Our eyes lock, and I feel as if my feet are glued to the floor. I tuck my bottom lip into my mouth, wishing I would’ve just stayed hidden in the kitchen, then break the hold he has on me. When I glance over again, Gavin waves me over. While I contemplate turning around and pretending I didn’t notice him, it’s impossible with so many roaming eyes. My heart beats rapidly, but I push it down as I walk over to the table where he’s eating alone. I try my hardest not to raise suspicion especially with my cousins watching.
Gavin smiles and speaks in a hushed tone. “We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Panic creeps in my throat, and I hope no one can hear him. Immediately, I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”
Gavin narrows his eyes. Damn those ocean-colored eyes seem to peer straight through me as he smirks. “I’m positive we ran into each other at the bar a few weeks ago,” he insists.
I shrug and force a smile. “You must be confusing me with somebody else.”
“You sure ’bout that?” He waits, giving me the chance to change my tune.
“I don't remember, sorry. But it’s really nice to meet you. Oh, and I apologize for running out the other night. I wasn’t feeling very well. But I hope you had a good time hanging out with everyone.”
He clears his throat, then sips a cup of coffee. “Hanging out with your sister and cousins.”
I keep a steady smile and don’t react.
“Well, welcome to the ranch. Hope you enjoy your breakfast. I gotta get back to work.”
By the time I return to the kitchen, my heart’s galloping at full speed.
“Are you okay?” Sandra asks, glancing at the cold sweat that’s formed on my brow.
“I’m fine. We need more ham and coffee,” I say, wanting to forget Gavin completely, but knowing that’d be impossible. Pretending I didn’t know him was dumb as hell, and I’m positive he didn’t believe me. But if I keep up the act, maybe he’ll drop it, and I can go on living in an alternate universe where I didn’t have the best sex of my life with him. The chemistry we shared was undeniable, but I lost control with him, and it can never happen again.
I’m pissed he wanted to bring it up here. This isn’t the time or the place, and it caught me off guard, which I don’t appreciate. Once breakfast is over, I text Rowan, knowing she’ll get a kick out of it.
Maize: So...I spoke to Gavin today.
Rowan: Did you? OMG! Details, now!
Maize: He asked if I remembered him, and I denied it.
I shake my head at how stupid it seems after I send the message.
Rowan: Wait, your plan is to pretend it didn’t happen?
Maize: Exactly! Just avoid him like he has an STD, and then hopefully it’ll be like it never happened.
Rowan: Uh. Good luck with that. Did you take that pregnancy test yet?
I growl and bite my bottom lip.
Maize: NO!
Rowan: I’m buying you one today!
The lunch rush flies by quickly, and I’ve never been more ready to go home and lock myself in my room than I am right now. Before I leave, I walk through the kitchen and confirm the night shift has everything they need. Donna and Becky assure me they have it under control, and I know they do.
“You headed out?” Dad pops his head up from behind the check-in desk when I walk by.
“Yes, sir.”
“Before you go, can you check the garden? I think your mom mentioned something about the tomatoes and squash needing picked.”
My eyes light up because it’s one of my favorite things to do. “Sure, I’ll be happy to.”
I put on the pair of boots I keep at the B&B. After grabbing a tub, I walk out to the rows of vegetables and herbs we plant each season. Dad was right. I pull as much as I can, then drop it in the kitchen before going out and picking more. Getting my hands a little dirty relaxes my busy mind.