“Why choose? Cinnamon sugar and brown sugar don’t need to compete. Mini donuts are a win, no matter what.” I stick my hand out to Luke as we press into the thickening crowd. “Stay close, bud. It’s busy.”

Cowboys as far as the eye can see, right when I’ve realized I’ve only got eyes for one. Over a year of me making jokes to Summer about saving horses and riding cowboys, and I don’t even want the rest of them. I was fine until he took care of me. Held my goddamn hair up and rubbed my back.

I still refuse to accept that people normally do that for their employees. And the fact he did has me overthinking things something fierce because, if I’m being honest, getting turned down is a new phenomenon for me. And I’m a little bit pissed about it. A little bit embarrassed.

A little bit wounded because Cade is such a good man. I’d want more than just sex, and he doesn’t even want that. It’s a rough blow to what I’m realizing is my already fragile ego.

I’ve never considered myself self-conscious, but the other night Cade made some points I keep turning over in my mind. Things about myself I’ve never realized.

“There’s uncle Rhett!” Luke shouts up at me, knocking me off the winding path I got lost on in my mind.

Rhett’s hard to miss with his shoulder length hair and cocky grin, one that morphs into a wide smile when he hears Luke shouting his name and sees me getting dragged behind the boy.

“Hey, little psycho.” Rhett picks up Luke and tosses him onto his shoulders, giving him the best view in the house. He turns to me and nods his head. “Willa.”

“Hi.” I return his smile. I like Rhett Eaton. I especially like him for my best friend. It’s the worst when your friends date someone you can’t stand, but that’s not the case with Rhett. They’re perfect together, and I can’t wait to see their insanely beautiful babies one day. That is, if Summer will ever hammer down a wedding date. Because she’d never do things out of order.

“Hey, Willa.” Jasper pops up beside Rhett, several inches taller and looking like he wishes he were anywhere else but here.

I crane my neck back to meet his blue eyes. They aren’t bright and sparkly, they’re deep and dark, almost navy. “Good lord, what are they feeding you Grizzly boys? Somehow, I missed you being this tall.” He must be at least six foot four.

He smiles, but there’s something pinched about it. “Seems to be a thing for goaltenders these days. I’m lucky I fit the bill, I guess.”