I grip the damn steering wheel like I’m trying to strangle it. “I don’t know,” I admit. “But she’ll come around. You were already family. This way will just make it more official.”
I’m trying to give her hope, but part of me wonders if Clara will ever come around. She was so serious, so emphatic when she made me promise to stay away from her friends. I had never seen her so upset, and I would have done anything to make her stop crying. Anything but give up Oakley, apparently.
I’ll just need to tell Clara that I love Oakley, that I’ve always loved Oakley, and that I’m not going to let anything bad happen to her or between us. My sister can be stubborn and a little hot-headed, but she has the biggest heart. I know she wants the best for her friend, and hopefully me, too.
She’ll have to give us her blessing eventually.
Right?
There isn’t really any other option. Now that I’ve tasted and felt every inch of my sweet Oakley, I’m never letting her go. How could I? She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and this whole time, she’s been as desperate for me as I am for her.
It was already becoming too much now that she was back in town, but seeing my brothers all fall in love and pair off with their perfect match has only made me crave Oakley even more.
I am nothing but thrilled for my brothers. They deserve to be happy and in love, but I can’t deny that I’ve been feeling jealous of all of them and maybe a little angry with Remy.
I want what they have, and I can’t believe that Remy has found the perfect girl for him and won’t do a damn thing about it. There’s nothing stopping him from being with Gwen. Nothing except his own fear.
“Are you okay?” Oakley asks, running her delicate fingers over my clenched fists.
“I’m fine,” I say, relaxing my hold.
“What were you thinking about?” she asks. I take a deep breath.
“Losing you.”
She blinks, and I can tell that she’s surprised by that answer.
“Oh.”
“I can’t do it, Oakley. I’ve wanted you for so long, and I can’t go back to just being your friend. It would kill me.”
“I’ve wanted you for a long time, too,” she admits quietly. My heart thumps wildly in my chest. I’ll never get tired of hearing her say that, but I hate that we weren’t together all that time.
“I wish that we hadn’t wasted so much time.”
“Me too,” she says. I reach over to grab her hand once again. I can’t seem to stop touching her every chance I get.
She interlaces our fingers, and I try to change the subject to something lighter as we cruise down the highway toward Sequoia and the Stud Farm.
“Are you excited to be back at your parents’ place? I know living with them isn’t exactly a party.”
“No kidding,” she grumbles.
I squeeze her hand, wishing I could take her away from there. I suppose she’ll be moving soon enough with the sale of her parents’ farm, though she hasn’t mentioned where she’s going. I assumed here in town, but maybe not. Shit, I really do need to get her moved into my home soon.
“It’s worth it though, you know,” she continues. “I love that farm, and I have so many new ideas to increase our revenues. I can’t wait to get started.”
I frown, wondering if I missed something. Surely her parents told her about the sale. I guess I assumed they offered it to her first, but clearly not. I don’t focus on that as I make the final turn to the dirt road leading to the farm. Ten minutes and we’ll be home.
Maybe I can talk her into coming in for a little bit…
“Well, maybe you could move in with me? That will give you a break from being around them.”
“That seems a little fast. I’m really okay at home for now. We keep different schedules, and I don’t have to interact with them a ton. Especially once I get started on the farm.”
“Your parents’ farm?” I ask, confused. “Or do you have something else lined up?” I’m so lost here. I feel like we’re having two different conversations.
“Of course on my parents’ farm” she says slowly, as if I’m touched in the head. “I’m secretly hoping to take over one day.”