Chapter 22
Miranda
Friends. Sure. We aren’t even one week into this plan of being friends, and I’m already questioning if I can do this. Seeing Hayden in passing at the ranch is one thing. But as soon as I get near him, there’s no stopping the flood of memories from our one night together.
Was it stupid to extend him an open invitation to hang out during Sierra’s riding lessons?
Absolutely. But it’s too late to do anything about it now, as I head to my patio with snacks in hand, ready to spend the next hour with him.
I set the plate of cheese and crackers on the table right as Hayden comes walking across the path and to the patio at the side of my house.
“Hey,” he says as he approaches. “How’s it going?”
I paste a smile on my face and try with everything I have to appear casual and relaxed as I take in the man before me. “It’s going. How are you? Haven’t seen you around the past few days.”
Hayden fixes his brown eyes on me and shrugs. “Yeah, bronc-riding school is over, and with schools getting back, most practices and coaching sessions are in the evenings now.”
I gesture to the chair before taking my normal spot in the corner of my loveseat.
We sit in a surprisingly comfortable silence for several minutes.
It’s a nice night. Chilly, but not so cold that we need to move things inside.
I’m sure my mom is busy with Sierra, but it would still feel strange inviting Hayden inside. Alone.
Opening my mouth to speak, I’m silenced when Hayden’s fingers graze my exposed wrist. My skin tingles, and there’s no ignoring the spark of electricity that zips through me just from the simple touch.
With a sharp breath, I snap my head up, and my gaze collides with Hayden’s.
The heat now radiating in his eyes is palpable.
“I know it was my idea to be friends…” His eyes flick to my mouth. “But I haven’t stopped thinking about the way your lips felt against mine.”
Goosebumps spread across my flesh as I begin to process his words.
I’ve thought of our night together every single goddamned day since it happened, no matter how hard I’ve tried not to.
Pretending it didn’t happen was the cruelest kind of torture.
As much as my mind tells me to walk away, I find myself leaning closer, desperate for more of his touch.
“Hayden.” My voice is a mixture of longing and trepidation as I plead for something I know I can’t have.
He’s off-limits. But tell that to my body as I find myself leaning closer.
With a quick tug of my wrist, he pulls me to him, finally pressing his lips against mine.
I nearly groan with relief. This may be wrong, but it feels so damn right.
I force reality to the back of my mind as he deepens the kiss.
His tongue slides against mine, and I’m instantly reminded of how good we were together. The way he seemed to know exactly what I needed. Hayden groans, and the vibration radiates all the way to my core.
“I’m sorry,” he breathes, pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against mine. “I just-”
My phone vibrates, causing us both to pull away in surprise, and my heart drops when I see a text from my dad.
Dad: Is Hayden with you?
I glance at Hayden and do my best to shake off my unease before responding. There’s no way he could have seen us without us noticing him.
Yeah. We’re just sitting here eating snacks while he waits on Sierra.
Dad: I’m getting a fire started, why don’t you guys come over here.
When I look up at Hayden, his eyes are still on me. I try not to appear affected by our stolen kiss, but I was moments from begging for more.
“My dad built a fire and wants us to come over there.”
Hayden smiles. “What did you tell him?”
“Nothing yet. You can head over. They know you’re only here waiting on Sierra.”
“I’m not going over there without you, so it’s your call. I shouldn’t have kissed you just now, but I’m not going to run away.”
We’ve stuck with the plan to leave what happened between us in the past, but that kiss proved that I’m not the only one struggling.
His touch will never feel wrong to me, even though we shouldn’t be together.
No matter how cool I play it, I’m not able to just pretend there’s no ridiculously strong attraction between us.
That I can’t feel him the moment he enters a room.
That we didn’t fit together like we were meant to be.
On our way.
We walk over to the back of my parents’ house in silence. They have a large stone patio with comfortable seating and string lights to really make the area appear enticing. Behind it sits the fire pit. As promised, my dad has a small fire going, and there are empty chairs ready for us.
“Hey, Dad. You didn’t have to do all this. The lesson is only an hour long,” I say, even though I know he’ll never change.
“I came home and saw your mom out there, so I came out. Even if I’m out doing chores or if I’m not home, Hayden, you don’t have to hide out at Miranda’s place. You are always welcome to hang out and wait here.”
Hayden approaches my dad and reaches out a hand. I watch as they pull each other into one of those awkward half-hugs. It makes me smile even though it causes a new wave of guilt over our secret.
“I know I am, but I also know how it is when you finish up chores and just want to come in, shower, and relax. Miranda and I are friends, so no worries.”
My dad looks between the two of us before finally shrugging and taking a seat in front of the fire.
Sierra and my mom have returned from the trail, and we have the perfect view of the rest of their lesson.
Sierra is all smiles as she follows my mom’s instructions.
I’ve been riding for so long, I can barely remember a time when I wasn’t completely comfortable on the back of one of those large animals.
But as I watch Sierra, distant memories of my own lessons begin trickling in.
Summer has always been the best season, and not just because it meant no school when I was younger.
The weather is warm enough to ditch the layers, and as a kid, I didn’t have to wait until the day was almost over before I could hang out with the animals.
I’d go on trail rides nearly every day and tag along while my mom taught lessons.
And I’m sure I wore an expression similar to Sierra’s. Pure joy.
“Hey… I had a question since you’re both over here,” my dad begins slowly.
I already don’t like the sound of what he’s about to say, but I keep my expression neutral as I wait for him to continue. The intensity of Hayden’s gaze matches my own as he waits to hear whatever my dad is about to ask.
“Randi, I know you agreed to take care of things while your mom and I go away for a few days next week. But would you be upset if I asked Hayden to help you out? It’s a lot to keep up with when it’s your mother and me, and you have a full-time job on top of it.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I glance at Hayden before returning my full attention to my father. What a way to put me on the spot. “Really, Dad…?”
“This isn’t like the run to pick up those mares.
I know you can do it by yourself, but we don’t want you working yourself to death.
I know how many hours you’ve been putting in at Boulder Ranch lately.
Extra hands can’t hurt, and your mom thought maybe Sierra would like to tag along with Hayden and help out as well. ”
He had to bring Sierra into it. I’m still not ready to examine this soft spot I have for the kid, but he’s right. She would probably love it. Her face lights up every time she gets a chance to pitch in. I give a subtle nod, and my dad quickly turns to Hayden.
“Well, Hayden? You up for it? You can say no, and I’ll just call up one of our old ranch hands or something.”
Hayden’s lips curve into a hint of a smile, and he nods his head. “You already know if you need me to help with anything, I’m here. As long as I’m not stepping on any toes.”
It’s hard to ignore the flicker of excitement at the thought of working alongside him for a few days.
I’m aware that there is a good chance we won’t even pass each other, depending on how our schedules line up.
But it still makes the prospect of coming home from work at Boulder Ranch and then getting to work here sound a lot more appealing.
I somehow manage to keep a silly grin off my face as we sit around the fire and wait for Sierra.
It doesn’t make much sense, but sitting here like this feels comfortable, even with the huge secret we’re both keeping from my dad.
It almost feels like we’re supposed to be here, enjoying the mild spring evening together.
All I know is at this moment, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or with anyone else as I gaze at the warmth in Hayden’s eyes while he watches Sierra learn to ride.