Eating Out #2
I tell myself it’s just ten digits. Nothing more, nothing less. But the guy who those numbers belong to—if I typed them in, sent him a text…
What would happen? I feel like the ball’s in my court after he showed up Sunday morning. If I want to, ahem, keep doing whatever Colton and I are doing together, it’s on me to make the next move.
Why do you think you have a giant box of LEGO bricks in your trunk? I thought I’d invite Dean over to my place to play. But now I’m wondering…
I mean, do I show up at Colton’s house instead?
I’m being an idiot just thinking the thought.
But Colton showed up at my place, didn’t he? Why not return the favor? If nothing else, it will royally piss him off.
“I…um, thanks? Do you—would he—” I’m stammering like an idiot, my face hot. “I guess it’s good if I have it. For…emergencies.”
Beck grins. “Emergencies. Exactly. You might have some middle of the night—”
“Beck.”
“Questions about the ranch.” A dimple pops in his left cheek as his smile grows.
He holds up his hand. “Do with it what you want. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t keep the ball rolling.
You know, on y’all’s professional relati—” Beck turns his head, and his eyes light up.
“Cash Rivers, is that you? And Mollie! As I live and breathe, y’all. ”
I glance over my shoulder to see a tall, mustachioed man walk into the restaurant behind a very pretty woman with long hair in a gold skirt and sweater.
I do a double take. They’re a stunning couple, the kind you’d see on the cover of a wedding magazine.
They also can’t keep their hands off each other. He presses his palm to the small of her back, and she reaches up to curl her fingers around his bicep.
Watching them smile at each other and then turn those smiles on Beck, my stomach swoops.
Mollie Luck and Cash Rivers have come up in conversation several times with the Wallaces and their ranch hands.
The two of them are something of a legend in these parts for going from sworn enemies to lovesick husband and wife.
Honestly, I’m starting to understand how that kind of thing works. Not that I want to be anyone’s wife right now—that’s leaping several steps ahead. But maybe Beck is right about love and hate being two sides of the same coin.
Cash’s blue eyes sparkle as he walks over and offers Beck his hand. “Dang, boy, you sure do clean up nice.”
“I showered for y’all. You’re welcome.” Beck takes Cash’s hand and gives it a hard shake. “Thank you for stoppin’ by. How’s the baby?”
“Baby is good.” Mollie beams up at her husband. She’s sporting a pretty diamond on her left hand, and I glimpse a thin gold band on his too. “She’s starting to sleep through the night, which has been huge.”
Beck nods. “I remember very well how Colt came back to life once Dean wasn’t waking up at all hours. He was adamant about doing all the night feedings on his own so Abby could sleep.”
Mollie crosses her arms. “He must’ve given that advice to Cash because he does the same thing with Daisy.”
“Still love the name,” Beck says. “So cute.”
“Figure taking care of those feedings is the least I can do.” Cash’s hand is now curled around the nape of Mollie’s neck. His expression softens as he looks down at her. “Gotta give you time to get your rest too.”
They are sickeningly cute.
They are considerate of each other.
They value each other.
I don’t see that in my parents. Heck, I don’t see it in many relationships at all. This is special.
This is the kind of love I want. It’s nice to see that it actually exists.
All I’ve ever really known when it comes to this stuff is what I’ve seen with Mom and Dad. Along the way, I think I’ve internalized the idea that most love stories—most marriages—end up that way. They’re the norm, not the exception. And I guess I’ve assumed that’s what I’ll have too.
Maybe not.
“Who knew you’d make such a good husband?” Beck teases.
“Not me,” Mollie says with a laugh. “He surprised us all.”
Cash grunts. He actually sounds a lot like Colton. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, jackasses.”
“Aw, you like my ass, though.” Mollie is beaming.
He puts his hand on her backside and gives it a squeeze, making her yelp. “I love it.”
“Get a room.” But Beck is still smiling. He gestures to me. “But before y’all get busy, I wanna introduce you to Lainey Brown. She’s in town helping us level up our marketing game over at the ranch. Lainey, meet Cash and Mollie Rivers. They own Lucky River Ranch, which is down the road from ours.”
Mollie’s inquisitive brown eyes flick to me. “Marketing? Talk to me, Lainey. I own a business—”
“Correction: She’s the CEO of Bellamy Brooks, a skyrocketing cowboy boot company that was recently featured in Elle and Vogue.” Cash’s smile emanates pride.
It’s really fucking cute.
It’s also nice to see a creative like Mollie be supported this way. Not even supported—applauded.
Judging by the way she shows off the pair of sexy purple cowboy boots she’s wearing, she’s also not ashamed of her choice of profession.
“Gorgeous,” I breathe. “I’ve heard of y’all. A friend of mine from business school bought herself a pair of Bellamy Brooks boots when she landed her dream job.”
Mollie nods. “You’re next, Lainey. Swing by the studio anytime. I’ll hook you up with a pair in exchange for letting me pick your brain a bit.” Mollie glances at my drink. “Unless—”
“Pull up a chair.” I pat the stool beside me, feeling a flush of pleasure at the prospect of making a new friend. “Honestly, it sounds like I should be the one picking your brain.”
Cash pulls out the stool and helps Mollie sit. “We love talking shop.”
“Y’all run the company together?” I can’t keep the naked interest—shock—out of my voice.
It’s Cash’s turn to laugh. “We do pretty much everything together these days.”
“Sounds nice.” At this point, I’m just trying not to come on too strong. I should probably wait until after we have a couple drinks to ask them if they want to adopt me.
Beck pours us a new round. Mollie and Cash are an absolute delight to chat with. We talk about a little of everything—work, life, Hartsville.
Bellamy Brooks, her boot company, only took off after she poured years of her life into building a solid foundation. They’ve already had branding done a year or so ago, but they may be looking for something different for their recent foray into men’s boots.
I know how Cash and Mollie met. I’m not sure if they were ever enemies with benefits, though. But hearing their story has my wheels turning. It’s nice to see that crossing personal and professional lines didn’t blow up in Cash’s and Mollie’s faces.
We decide to let Beck choose our food, which turns out to be the best call ever. We nosh on brisket-filled hush puppies served with hot honey butter to start. It’s followed by a local baby greens salad with candied Texas pecans and goat cheese, tossed with a champagne vinaigrette.
The pièce de résistance is a whole roasted chicken basted in the tastiest, tangiest barbecue sauce ever. It’s served with sides of manchego mac ’n’ cheese and swiss chard sautéed with bacon and molasses.
Dropping my fork, I fall back in my chair and put a hand on my overly full stomach. “Beck.”
He smirks. “What?”
“Beck.”
“You’re gonna have to wheel me outta here.” Cash puts his napkin on the bar. “That was delicious.”
I close my eyes. “It hurts to breathe.”
“Babe, I know you were hoping to get laid tonight,” Mollie says, wincing. “But I think I’d crush you if I got on top.”
“We won’t know until you try.” Cash tucks his hand between her thighs. “My cowgirl ain’t a quitter.”
I let out a bark of laughter. “Are they always like this?”
“Yes.” Beck refills my water glass.
Mollie gives my arm a squeeze. “You seriously have to come to the studio. Here, let me give you our numbers, and I’ll get yours.” She turns to dig her phone out of her sequined Fendi purse.
I grin. So she’s a fancy cowgirl. Maybe that’s the kind of cowgirl I am too.
And that’s how I end up adding not one, not two, not three, but four new contacts to my phone. Beck grabs my phone after I enter Mollie’s and Cash’s numbers and puts in his too.
“Just in case you need me to kick anyone’s ass,” he explains.
Cash grunts again. “Colt?”
“How’d you know?” I’m smiling.
“He’s all bent out of shape about Billie and Ryder,” Cash says. “Ryder’s my youngest brother, by the way. I can vouch for his character.”
Ah, so apparently everyone knows about those two. Cool, cool.
“Good. Because I really like Billie, and I feel like she deserves someone special,” I say.
“Second that,” Beck replies with a smile. “And your brother is special, Cash. Colt’ll come around eventually.”
I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Colton seems like the kind of guy who holds a grudge. He’s that pissy. That angry.
Except when he’s not.
Cash tells me to give him a call if I ever want to come check out their property. He stands. “I don’t mean to brag—”
“Yeah, you do.” Mollie takes the hand he offers her and stands too.
“Fine, I do.” He presses a kiss to her mouth. “But Lucky River Ranch is special too. And not just because Ryder works there.”
I look at Beck. “So is Double U Ranch. Here, let me spell it for you so you can see what I’m working on.” He passes me a pen, and I write it out on a cocktail napkin, which I pass to him.
Beck’s eyebrows pop up as he looks at the napkin.
Mollie gasps, grabbing my arm for another squeeze. “Wait. That’s actually genius.”
“Double U. Nice nod to Ulysses and Uma.” Beck nods, narrowing his eyes in what I’m learning is the Wallace signature squint. “I dig it.”
“Do you really?” I let out a relieved exhale.
His dimple is back. “How much do you charge again? Not sure the Homestead Hen could afford you yet, but I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”
“You’re sweet.” I blush. “I’d be happy to help out.”