Beau tried to hide a grin. Failed.
“That’s what I thought,” Bryce said.
“You think too much.”
“Well, you’ve been pining for her ever since you sprouted your first ball hair, so—”
“I’m not sure the feelings are mutual.”
“She’s pretty straightforward. You should just ask her.”
He was afraid of the answer. Because if he was nothing more to Allie than a buddy or maybe even an item on her bucket list, he really didn’t want to know about it until the contract had expired. But what they’d done last night had felt different than the good times he’d enjoyed with other women. It had been so hot. And yet, strangely sweet and so . . . Alice.
She’d been sexy. Bossy. But he’d sensed moments of innocence and vulnerability, too.
Bryce crossed his arms over his chest and grunted softly.
“What?” Beau asked.
“I just find all of this interesting.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s you and Alice, dummy.”
Beau grabbed the rinsed plates and put them in the drying rack. He and Alice did make an unusual couple, that was for sure. He shouldn’t get his hopes up. “Bryce, do you know what a social construct is?”
Bryce rubbed his chin. “Hm . . . I suppose it’s something that only exists because society says it does. Why?”
Beau frowned. “Oh, no reason. It’s just a term I heard. Wasn’t sure what it meant.”
He still wasn’t entirely sure, but it sounded like Alice’s definitive statement that she wasn’t a virgin might not mean what he’d thought it had. Not that it mattered, except that, well, it did.
He couldn’t quite put words to the emotions swirling around his head as to why it mattered, but just thinking about being the first man to make love to Alice made him feel giddy.
He’d never been with a virgin before. It seemed like a huge responsibility. There were emotions involved. Expectations and whatnot. But hell, if Alice had held on to her virginity this long, didn’t it mean it was special to her? And did that mean that he was special to her?
After all, she’d amended the contract.
Bryce poked him in the arm. “Keep your head on straight. I don’t think Alice is the kind of woman who dates casually. And you’re not usually the kind of guy who dates seriously.”
“And you’re typically not the kind of guy who dates much at all, so why would I take any relationship advice from you?”
“I’m your big brother.”
Beau snorted, because it was by a whopping four minutes, but truth be told, he didn’t mind the dynamic at all.
Bryce stood up straight. “Giving you advice is my job. Whether or not I know what I’m talking about is neither here nor there.”
Beau laughed. “Grab that box, dumbass. I’m ready to have you out of here.”
They went through the door, and Bryce didn’t even linger on the porch steps. He was on his way to his new life.
Beau inhaled the crisp scent of juniper. Somehow, standing right here on the porch of the house where he’d grown up, he felt as if he was starting a new life, too.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Beau took the toll road off of Interstate 35 so he wouldn’t have to deal with Austin traffic—reading lots of signage while trying to remain focused on the road was hard—and the eighty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit made up for the extra miles.
All he could think about was Alice and when they could be together again. He hadn’t seen her on Monday, because he’d worked so late on the dang solar panels. Yesterday, she’d had something to do in the evening. And today, he was heading back to the Rockin’ H to help Bryce out. They had to sort the Hills’ herd to get rid of some bulls, and of course there was a bit of work to do for Brittany’s wedding.
But Alice was filling in as a bridesmaid for Brittany’s cousin, which meant she’d be here a day early for the rehearsal. He smiled and shifted in his seat. He was looking forward to picking up where they’d left off the night her parents had shown up, but mostly he just wanted to be with her. He missed her. And he missed the way he felt around her. Capable. Smart. Confident.
He exited the toll to catch the farm-to-market road to the ranch. It was pretty country, although not in the same way that Big Verde was pretty country. There were no hills with twisting and turning roads. But there was plenty of bright green and heavily irrigated land for grazing, and that was a sight for a cowboy’s sore eyes.
There was also urban sprawl leaking out of Austin. Interspersed between the pastures and farmland were brand new subdivisions and strip malls with their chain restaurants and shops. None of it appealed to him, but apparently, it did to Bryce.
He slowed his pickup to navigate a tight curve, and then followed the trail of yee-haw! signs with the Rockin’ H brand (soon to be replaced) all the way to a super-fancy gate. He turned in and slowly drove up a curvy road bordered by lush green pastures and fat, sassy cows.
Up ahead he saw Bryce, sitting on a gate and waving his hat. Good Lord, but the fool looked ridiculous in his fringed chaps. And he was also wearing a vest like he was a fucking Walmart greeter. Beau stopped the truck and rolled down his window.
“Howdy, pardner,” Bryce said in an exaggerated drawl.
“You look like an idiot,” Beau said. “Get in the truck.”
Bryce laughed, but didn’t seem offended as he hopped off the gate. “Oh, brother, you don’t know the half of it.” He pointed at a little badge hanging on his vest. “I’ve got a name tag.”
COWBOY BRYCE
Beau rolled his eyes.
“There’s one for you back at the office,” Bryce said. “Along with a vest and
