How West Was Won (Haven, Texas 7)

He cupped her ass, squeezed it. “You can take that to the bank, baby girl.”

14

Her feet dragged as she moved down the stairs.

Sadness flooded her. She wanted to go back upstairs to her room. She wanted to hide under the covers and pretend none of this was happening.

When she’d woken up, and, for once she’d actually slept—there was something to be said for West’s magical sleeping cure—she’d seen her duffel bag by the door. It had been packed and ready for her departure.

She guessed she was leaving. West still hadn’t divulged his plan. But then, she hadn’t pressed him very hard to explain. They’d been busy doing other things. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she remembered last night.

She heard the sounds of someone in the kitchen and drew in a steadying breath.

Put your big girl panties on, Flick.

Despite how often she’d declared that she had to leave, she really didn’t want to go. She loved it here. She sighed and walked into the kitchen.

Shit. What was she going to do for money? She couldn’t keep relying on the Malones. She had a few pieces of jewelry that had been her mom’s she could pawn. But that would kill her to do it. The reason she’d had Beau retrieve them from her bedroom for her was because they meant something to her.

As long as you have your locket, it doesn’t matter. She fingered the necklace her parents had given her before leaving for the Congo. The only time she’d ever taken it off was when Spencer had insisted the clasp was flimsy and he wanted to get a stronger one.

“You’ve really thought this one through, Flick,” she muttered to herself.

“What was that?” Mia turned from the stove to look at her.

She paused. “Mia! What are you doing? Are you feeling all right? Are you sure you should be up and moving?”

Mia groaned. “Don’t you start. If Alec had his way, I’d spend the rest of this pregnancy in bed. I feel fine. Doc brought out a blood pressure monitor and showed us how to use it, and my blood pressure is fine this morning. I feel fine. I was just a little stressed yesterday.”

“Okay, that’s good.”

“Would you like some breakfast?” Mia asked her.

Flick shook her head as she poured herself some coffee. She knew she should eat, however her stomach was tied up in too many knots. Anything she ate was bound to come back up.

“You look like shit,” Mia told her as she sat across the table from her.

Flick let out a startled laugh. “Don’t hold back, give it to me straight.”

Mia blushed. “Sorry. I’ve been living with these guys too long. They tend to say it how it is, and, honey, you don’t look that great.”

“I’ll be okay.” Flick stared down at her coffee, unable to meet Mia’s eyes. If she did, she might cry.

“So have I won the bet yet?” Mia asked.

“What?” Flick looked up in surprise.

“You and West?” Mia wiggled her eyebrows.

“Yes, but we didn’t. . .I mean, we did. . .but we didn’t have sex.” She found herself blushing.

“Sounds like it was close. But I still have plenty of time to win.” Mia grinned.

Flick just shook her head. Dropping her gaze from Mia’s again as sadness hit her. She was leaving today. “Have you heard anything about Beau?”

“Yeah, he’s awake and already grumbling about having to stay in bed. None of these guys make the best patients. Gonna have one grumpy bastard of man on my hands once he gets home.” The affection in Mia’s voice belied her words.

“I wish I could see him before I leave.”