Shiloh looked down at her hands as they stilled. “I’m sorry if I was harsh the last time you came out to the ranch. I know you were trying to help.”
I leaned a hip against the counter. “I’m the one who should apologize.”
“Please don’t. Leaving me with Hayes wasn’t wrong.”
“I know.” I paused for a moment, trying to choose my words carefully. “Spending time with Addie has taught me a few things.”
Interest lit in Shiloh’s eyes, but she didn’t say anything.
“No one should be made to feel like they’re being watched all the time. Checked up on. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.”
A little of the tension left Shy’s shoulders. “I get why, I do. But I’m fine. And I don’t want to be any more of a burden to my family than I already have been.”
I pushed off the counter. “The last thing you are is a burden. Get that idea out of your head.”
She scoffed. “You don’t know what it’s like. To know that you’re the reason your family fell apart. Why it’s still not completely whole.”
“Hey, I think we’re doing a pretty good job these days.”
Shiloh’s jaw tightened as she shook her head. “Pretty good isn’t enough.” She turned and took off for the back deck.
I started to follow when the sound of footsteps caught my attention. I turned around and froze. The air seized in my lungs, and my heart struggled to find its normal rhythm.
Addie stood in the kitchen, her hands clasped in front of her. Someone had cut her hair. It fell in waves just past her shoulders, framing her face in a way that highlighted her beauty even more. Her eyes were lined in something that made the green in them pop. Her lips were coated in a gloss that had me wanting to taste them.
As my eyes scanned her body, I nearly choked. The pale pink sundress looked innocent enough at first glance, but it wasn’t. It was one of those wraparound deals that dipped in the front to show the swell of her cleavage and had a slit that came up in the front, revealing a hint of her golden thigh.
“Addie.”
It was the only thing I could seem to get out. Then I was moving, crossing to Addie and taking her face in my hands. “You steal my breath.”
Her face flushed. “I wasn’t sure you’d be crazy about the hair.”
“It’s gorgeous. But you could never be anything but.” I brushed my lips across hers. “How do you feel?”
She looked up into my eyes. “I feel…beautiful.”
Addie said it as if the idea were shocking. My chest tightened as I brushed a thumb over her cheekbone. “You always are.”
She arched a brow. “Are you buttering me up because you’re hoping to get lucky?”
I barked out a laugh. “I’m always hoping to get lucky when you’re around.”
“This was a bad idea,” I growled at Hayes. I was fighting the urge to punch every single guy whose gaze roamed over Addie as we stood near the bar, listening to the band.
Hayes tried to hold in his laughter, but he failed. “Oh, man, this is priceless. I truly never thought I’d see the day.”
I’d had a reputation in high school. I wasn’t an asshole or anything, but I’d had my fair share of dates—they never lasted.
“Shut up.” I moved closer to Addie, not liking how a guy against the wall was staring at her. I bent down as I wrapped an arm around her. “Having fun?”
She grinned up at me. “They’re amazing.”
“Not half-bad.” I’d barely heard the music, too focused on Addie. But I hadn’t taken in her expression fully, not until this moment. She was happy. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were glassy with excitement. A little of my earlier annoyance melted away. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
Addie stretched up onto her tiptoes and brushed her mouth against mine. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“I’ll go with you anywhere you want.”