As I’m cutting potatoes to roast, I dodge Gavin’s calls and ignore his texts. I’m annoyed he hasn’t told me this news and that my cousins heard it before I did. If he’s leaving anyway, then I might as well cut things off between us before they have a chance to blossom.

Though my heart already feels like it’s cracking, so it’s probably too late for that.

At seven, I say goodbye to everyone and head to my truck. As soon as it comes into sight, I see Gavin leaning against it. He’s waiting for me.

“Can I help you, sir?” I keep my tone flat. He’s wearing dark jeans and a gray shirt. He looks good in anything, especially when it accentuates his muscles.

“As a matter of fact, you can, ma’am. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all afternoon.” His arms are crossed as if he’s preparing to stay there until he gets an answer.

“I’ve been busy, ya know, working and all.” I shrug, not giving him the attention. “I have plans tonight, so I need to get home.”

“Why are you avoiding me again?” he blurts out, blocking me from my door.

“Look, Gavin,” I say with a straight face. “Hooking up at the rodeo was a bad idea. A huge mistake. It shouldn’t have happened, but it did, so let’s allow the past to be in the past.”

He squints, tilting his head as if he’s waiting for the punch line. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Now it’s my turn to narrow my eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Running away is your MO, Maize. The second things get too real, you bail. You keep people at arm’s length to avoid getting hurt again, and if you keep it up, you’ll never find love.”

I cross my arms over my chest, shaking my head in disagreement. “I’m not running or bailing. I just don’t think you and I will work.” I stand my ground, not willing to let him see this is breaking me.

He pushes off my truck and closes the gap between us, moving my chin up until I look at him. “I’m too old to play these games, Maize. You either grow up and take a real chance on us, or you don’t. I won’t chase you this time.”

“Good,” I blurt, my emotions boiling inside me. I’m seconds from telling him what I heard and have to stop myself from asking him not to go with Cooper. I won’t be that type of woman who stops him from doing something that makes him happy. I saw how his eyes lit up at the rodeo, and I’ll never take that away from him. “Being together meant nothing, Gavin. So let’s pretend it didn’t happen.”