“What the hell?” I snatched the paper cup out of his hand.
“Wanted to get a taste so I know what kind of coffee to bring you next time. I should have guessed you like it black.” He licked his lips before walking up to Hunter.
My horse met him halfway, resting his head on Waylon’s shoulder like he used to do to Freddy every morning.
I couldn’t help it—I burst into tears on the spot.
Rushing away, I wailed, “This was a mistake.”
Running after me, Waylon grabbed my arm, pulling me into him.
I couldn’t fight it. That scene had been too hard for me to witness, and I was too weak to resist Waylon’s niceties.
“What’s going on?” he whispered.
“Hunter hates men,” I blubbered.
“He seems to have taken a liking to me,” Waylon commented, running his hand up and down my back sweetly.
“That’s the problem.” I sounded like a complete and total basket case.
“I think you lost me,” Waylon admitted, helping me sit down at one of the picnic tables.
With my head on his shoulder, I continued to sniffle. “Hunter hasn’t liked any men since my husband died a few years ago. He even bit Jessup the other day, and Hunter used to love Jessup. He likes you, though, and I feel insane for saying it, but maybe I am pushing you away because I haven’t felt like this about a guy since Freddy.”
“Freddy was your husband?”
I nodded while Waylon’s thumbs battled the tears cascading down my face.
“That explains so much, and I am so sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“Being so pushy. I thought there was a little spark there Monday night and you were just being a typical girl playing a game. I wouldn’t have acted like a complete ass if I didn’t think you were just trying to make me chase you.” Waylon tucked me into his side. “How about we skip the riding lesson today and you let me take you somewhere? Let’s just get out of here for a little bit.”
“I don’t know why I am saying yes to this, but all right. Fuck it, why not?”
* * *
Steppingout of Waylon’s pickup, I was in awe of the beautiful landscaping in front of us.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“The Coastal Botanical Gardens. Pretty, isn’t it?” Taking my hand, Waylon started to lead me to the entrance.
“Breathtaking.”
We milled through the visitor’s center and into the Rivers of Iris.
“Why here?” I cocked my head to the side, looking at Waylon as he read one of the historical plaques.
“It’s peaceful, and I thought it would help you calm your mind a bit.” Throwing his arm around my shoulder, he kissed the top of my head. “You know you didn’t scare me off earlier with the talk about your husband, right?”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “Scare you off? Do you think that was what I was trying to do?”
He looked down at me. “Not at all. I’m just saying I think you should listen to your horse and your gut and give me a chance.”
“Listen to the horse, huh?” I teased.