Montana Desire

I managed a smile. “Maybe you could.”

Lena started organizing plates and forks, commandeering Daniel to be in charge of cutting up the massive cake.

Noah pushed around the table to get to Grant and me. “So, you’ve been putting up with this loser for a little while, and you’re still in it? Impressive.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, man,” Grant said.

Noah smirked. “I’m just saying. She’s got a whole host of cowboys to choose from, and she got you. Not sure she got the best deal.”

He was teasing, and we both knew it. Right now, though, I could tell the truth. “I feel lucky that I got to spend the time I did with him. It’s been great.”

Grant’s hand tightened slightly on my shoulder. But if he caught the slightly strange phrasing—and there was no way he wouldn’t—he didn’t say anything.

The cake was delicious. Of course it was. Lena was a master of all things baked goods. Her cake was going to be amazing no matter what, but it was my favorite, red velvet.

Everyone wished me happy birthday, and I caught up more with all the Resting Warrior guys than I had in a long time. But in my head, I was still trying to forget.

Grant didn’t stay by my side the entire time, but I felt him watching me. He wasn’t stupid, and on top of that, he was one of the most observant people I’d ever met. He knew something was wrong.

Finally, when everyone was full of cake and coffee, Grant came up and hugged me. It was soft. Hesitant. “Want to go home?”

“Yeah.” My stomach dropped. “I’ll see you there.”

I made my rounds and said goodbye, dragging my feet. Because even though I knew what I needed to do, as I started the drive home, all I knew was that I didn’t want to do it.