“Oh, sure, now you come running, but when I wanted to take you to the ranch today, you picked the tea room. The tea room, dude, really?”
“Wise choice on his part,” Bristol said as she walked around the corner from the kitchen. “AC all day and countless women petting him and telling him how handsome he is.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve had that job, it’s not that fun. But the pay is pretty damn good.”
Her mouth fell open, and she smiled as she hit me on the chest. “Those days are over. No women are allowed to…pet you…again.”
I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. She let out a scream and then laughed.
“Don’t worry, the only woman I want petting anything is you.”
I pressed my mouth to hers and kissed her until we both needed air.
It was then I got a closer look at her. “What’s wrong? You’ve been crying.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? I haven’t been crying.”
Giving her the look that my mother used to use on me, I said, “Don’t lie to me. What’s wrong? Are you still not feeling well?”
“Honestly, no. I’m exhausted. I’ve already told Ida I’m not doing Bunco tonight and to call in a replacement.”
“Well, in that case, I’m not going to poker.”
“No! You should go, Anson.”
“Hell, no. One, I would rather spend the time with you, and two, you’re not feeling well.”
She smiled, and I felt my heart jump in my chest.
“Then maybe I can make us a romantic dinner for two.”
“That’s perfect. I have something I want to run by you,” I said.
“Okay.” She reached up on her toes and kissed me quickly before she turned to head back into the kitchen. I smacked her ass as she walked away, causing her to let out a little yelp.
I watched as she and Zeus headed out of the room. I chuckled to myself. I was going to turn her world upside down tonight, and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when I told her I wasn’t going back to Nashville.
Bristol
THE SMELL OF chicken enchiladas filled the house, and I couldn’t help but moan.
“What is that amazing smell?” Anson asked as he walked up behind me, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me on the cheek.
“Chicken enchiladas with a homemade ranchero sauce. I even made a cashew sour cream.”
“You had me right up until cashew sour cream. That should be illegal, Bri.”
Laughing, I stirred the sauce then placed the spoon on the counter and faced him. “The thought of eating sour cream right now makes me feel sick to my stomach.”
“Really?” he asked with a slight frown. “My mother went through a phase like that, but she was pregnant with me.”
I stilled and tried not to show any emotion on my face whatsoever.
“Really?” I asked.
The fact that Anson hadn’t asked me about my period yet shouldn’t have surprised me. I was supposed to have started my period almost three weeks ago, and when it didn’t come, I had been so busy and focused on me and Anson that I hadn’t even thought about the fact that I was late. At least not until I went to the doctor to get on the pill, and they had asked the date of my last period.
“The enchiladas are actually done. Are you ready to eat?”
“I’m always ready to eat. I’ll grab the plates and get us some drinks. You want a beer?”
“No, I’m going to stick with water tonight.”
He quickly went about setting the table and then poured me a glass of ice water and grabbed himself a beer.
“Holy crap, Bri. These look and smell delicious.”
I spooned two enchiladas on his plate and then topped it with the ranchero and a dollop of cashew sour cream.
“Hopefully you didn’t just ruin my meal,” he said with a wink.
“Trust me, you’re going to be saying you’re sorry here in a second when you take a bite of it all together. I’ve been dying for enchiladas.”
As I took a seat, I reached for my water to wet my suddenly dry mouth and throat. I had no idea how Anson was going to react. All I knew was that I was about to turn his world upside down.
“Dad and I went for a ride today.”
“You did?” I asked, hopefulness in my voice.
“We did, and we worked everything out.”
He smiled, and so did I.
“Anson, I’m so happy y’all finally worked it out. You know your father loves you very much, and, according to your mama, he follows your career on the sly.”
He winked. “Seems like you two had that in common.”
I glanced down at my food as my face heated.
“Anyway, I ran something by him, and I’d like to run it by you as well.”
“Sure, what is it?” I took a bite of my enchilada and nearly moaned in delight. My gosh, it was good.