I hold back a sniffle. No way is Miles Bridger going to bring me to tears. I won’t give him that power.
“If I’mjustanother woman, then I’m out of here.” I turn again but I don’t move.
Not yet.
Because he’s going to stop me, like he did last time. Isn’t he?
“Sadie,” he groans, but doesn’t come over.
I count to five and then I walk forward, to the door, and out of the garage. I can’t stand the pungent smell of motor oil anyway. And Miles Bridger? He’s just another dick on the long list of dicks I’ve fallen for.
Who needs this? Who needs whiplash being with a guy like him? I count myself lucky I didn’t get in any deeper with him. One minute he’s pissed at me for supposedly being ashamed of what’s between us. The next, he’s got a baby on the way. With someone else.
Sure, I never took Miles for a virgin. Hell, no. He has a past. So do I. I just never expected it to be thrown in my face like this.
I reach my car and my stomach lets out a growl. A couple lettuce leaves didn’t do much for my hunger and I didn’t have a chance to eat any of the meal Chance offered. The clock on my dash flashes seven. I can’t go home. My bed sheets smell like Miles. Of what we did together.
I drive away from Bridger Ranch, away from Bayfield, ending up in Silverton. I pull up in front of the all-too-familiar roadside bar. Maybe I’m a masochist because this place also reminds me of Miles. But Tracy is working tonight and I could use my BFF.
When I pull into the lot, it’s clear Saturday night is bustling at Jody’s, as usual. I grab an empty seat at the bar.
“Hey, Sadie.” Desiree, one of the bartenders, slides a cocktail napkin in front of me. “What sounds good tonight?”
Miles Bridger on a platter. If he weren’t such a dickhead.
So then maybe just his head.
“Nothing too strong. I’m driving. How about a glass of Chardonnay?” I glance around. “Where’s Tracy?”
“Right behind you.”
I turn on my stool. “Hey, Trace!”
Tracy gives me a quick hug and then turns to Desiree. “I need three vodka tonics, Des.”
“You got it.” Desiree pours me a glass of Chard and then gets to work on the drinks for Tracy’s table.
I take a sip of the crisp oaky wine. “I need one of your burgers.”
“You got it. Medium rare with all the fixings?”
“You know it.”
“I’ll tell Andy. By the way, did you happen to see the new bartender?”
“Just Desiree.” I gaze down the bar. “And Hank.”
“The new guy must be on break.” Tracy smiles and waves her diamond ring in my face. “If I weren’t spoken for, I’d be all over him.”
“Good thing you’re spoken for.”
“Well…he’s also gay. And awesome. Oh! Here he comes. Let me introduce you.” She nods to a dark-haired man who appears behind the bar. “Hey, Jake. Come here.”
Jake ambles toward us, a rakish smile on his handsome face. “Tracy, how’s our most beautiful waitress tonight?”
Tracy blushes. She’s engaged and madly in love with Troy, but she fucking blushes, even if she doesn’t stand a chance with the guy.
But when I take a long look at Jake, I can’t say I blame her. He’s muscled and gorgeous, and he’s wearing a yellow button down. And damn if it doesn’t work for him. If he’s got a boyfriend, that guy is one lucky man.