Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
I start to sweat. “What?”
“Just—you—”
“To be fair, I’m not quitting entirely. I don’t want to. But if you and I are ever gonna make this work, I need some flexibility in my schedule.”
She keeps staring at me. “Flexibility? In your schedule?”
“My therapist is very good at his job.”
“I can tell. Holy shit, Wes.” She claps a hand onto her forehead. “Holy shit.”
“That a yes?” I ask with a laugh. “I can get on your fancy jet and hang with you all next week?”
A tear slips out of her eye. I finally—finally—get to wipe it away with my thumb. “Fuck yeah that’s a yes.”
Then she’s putting down her coffee and she’s kissing me.
I’m putting down my coffee and kissing her back.
She’s pushing me down on the blanket.
I’m taking her down with me.
We get lost in each other for hours.
Or maybe it’s minutes. Days. I have no way of knowing.
All I do know is that the sun is up by the time we’re putting our clothes back on.
Before we get back in the saddle, I grab the tequila and yank out the cork.
“I forget how early you cowboys start,” she says, taking the bottle I hold out to her.
“Can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning. Plus, we got some good friends heading to the chapel today. Why not be the first ones to toast their wedding?”
She tips back the bottle. Drinks. Sighs with pleasure. “You’re right. Why not?”
She passes me the bottle and I drink too. The warm slide of tequila down my throat is exactly what I need after not one but two rounds of the best sex of my life.
“How’s the ceremony coming?” I ask.
Josie frowns. “I tried working on it when I got home last night, but my mind was . . . elsewhere.”
“You sayin’ I’m a distraction, Josie girl?”
“Jo.”
My heart lurches. “Does that mean—”
“Yes. You can call me that. I like Josie girl, too, though.”
“I like you.” Reaching for her, I curl my hand around her nape and pull her in for a kiss. “And I love you too. Always will.”
Her laugh is warm against my mouth. “Always. I’ll always love you, Weston.”
Chapter 7: Vows
Josie
My hands shake as I glance down at my notes. Glance back up at the hundred people gathered beneath the summer sky.
Everyone looks at me expectantly. Everyone, that is, except the bride and groom standing in front of me. They’re too enamored with each other to pay me much mind.
Quinn and Grady do make a handsome couple. She looks gorgeous in her ivory taffeta gown, complete with a veil and a silver-and-turquoise belt that’s the perfect nod to her Texas roots. He’s in a navy blue suit and brown cowboy hat, and wears a turquoise bolo that matches her belt.
I can’t help but let my gaze wander over to the cowboy standing just off to Grady’s left. Weston looks drop-dead gorgeous in his own navy suit. He’s trimmed his scruff a little, and now the sharp angle of his jaw is especially prominent.
Don’t get me started on the cowboy hat and boots he’s wearing.
I can’t believe he’s mine again.
I can’t believe I get to take him on tour with me. He’ll meet all my friends, hear all my music live. He’ll get to see what life on the road is really like.
The man went to therapy. For three years. He’s speaking his mind and owning who he is and what he really wants.
He’s making compromises and supporting my dreams.
Yeah, I think I’ll give him another chance.
Best of all, when I have a break on the road—there’s a week coming up where I don’t have any shows—we can come back here and get our fill of the friends and family we’ve missed.
I’ll be living the dream.
So are my friends, who are so eager to start their life together that Grady kindly but firmly tells me it’s time to get this show on the road.
“That’s right,” I say with a laugh. “Y’all are the stars tonight. Let’s get to it. Welcome, everyone, and thank you for being here to witness the marriage of two of my most favorite people on earth. Quinn and Grady, it’s an absolute honor to officiate your wedding. I’m thrilled y’all found each other. Thrilled that not only do y’all love each other, but that you like each other too.” I meet eyes with Weston. One side of his mouth kicks up in silent acknowledgment of his line from this morning. “That kind of relationship is a special thing, and I know I speak for everyone here when I say that I can’t wait to bear witness to the life you’re going to build together.”
Quinn’s face crumples. “Aw, Josie, thank you.”
There’s not a dry eye in the crowd as I lead the bride and groom through the exchanging of their vows. Grady sniffles through the whole ceremony, but when it’s time to put a ring on Quinn’s finger, he’s all eager confidence.