After the girls leave, I lie down, unable to go to sleep. I toss and turn all night, thinking about Gavin and wishing I had the courage to text him, but I don’t. The things I need to say should be said in person, but after the way I treated him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ignores me. At least that’s what I deserve.

It’s been almost a week since I hung out with the gang, and many of the things Rowan said have played on repeat in my mind. I know communication is key, but I’m also stubborn as hell. Half of me wonders what good it would do to talk to him about it, especially if he’s planning to go on the road anyway. Then I remember how he said he doesn’t regret retiring the night of the rodeo. My stomach is in knots thinking about it.

All week, I’ve looked for him at the B&B, but I haven’t seen him once. I feel as if I ruined my chances by not giving him a fair one, and the thought crushes me.

“Did you hear me?” Dad asks from the doorway of the kitchen.

I was lost in my head again, something I’ve been doing a lot of this week. “No, sorry. What did you say?”

“We need more tea out here, please,” he says with a smile.

I nod and suck in a deep breath. Instead of turning and walking away, Dad comes over to me. The lunch rush is nearly over, and I was prepping for dinner while my employees washed dishes.

Dad stands beside me as I grab the teabags. “What’s going on with you this week?”

I shrug, not really wanting to talk about this with him, though he is a really good listener.

Dad grabs the sugar. “Is it about a guy or something?”

I could lie, but at this point, I don’t even have the strength for it. “Yeah, actually it is.”