Love Profound (Cowboys & Angels 2)

Another couple caught my attention. The man gently placed his hand on the side of the woman’s face, smiling at her with so much love I wasn’t sure if I should cry or scream. Then he leaned in and gave her the sweetest kiss.

“Stupid freakin’ love,” I mumbled as I reached into my oversized purse and pulled out my favorite go-to book. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. I was soon lost in Towner’s story and quickly forgot about my own real-world problems.

My sister’s scream echoed through the airport and caused me to let out a wail of my own. The second I saw her I rushed to her open arms.

“Waylynn!” I cried as she wrapped me in a hug and held tight.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered in the saddest voice I’d ever heard.

Pulling back, I searched her face. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. Everything is amazing now that we’re together.”

Something deep in my gut told me she was lying through her teeth. I could see it in her eyes. We might have been ten years apart in age, but we were closer than if we had been twins. It was Waylynn who got me drunk for the first time. Taught me the proper way to French kiss a guy, and even showed me how to give a hand job on an oversized cucumber. The things she and I got into… If my father ever found out, he would have put us both in a convent.

“What trouble are we after?” Waylynn asked as she hooked her arm with mine and guided me to the luggage area. Her forced smile wasn’t lost on me.

“Well, if I don’t manage to get laid in New York City, then we have a serious problem.”

My older sister let out a chuckle. “First on our list of things to do: get you laid.”

I dropped my head back and looked up to the heavens. “Thank God!”

“You know you don’t have to stay in a hotel, Meli.”

Dropping my computer bag in the desk chair, I faced my sister. “I know, but I’m more comfortable here. Besides, I know Jack doesn’t care for me.”

Waylynn sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “Jack doesn’t care for anyone but Jack.”

I leaned against the desk. “We’ve been worried, Waylynn. Mom asked me to do some digging while I was here. Things aren’t going good with y’all?”

She let out a fake chuckle. “I figured as much, especially with how often Mom texts, asking how things are going.” Waylynn sighed heavily. “No, things aren’t good. He’s never home, always on business trips and when he is here there’s always some damn function I need to attend to ‘represent’ him like I’m a window dressing at Macy’s.”

I huffed. “You realize you’re nothing but his arm candy, Waylynn. Why do you put up with him?”

With a frown, she stood. “I love him. Or, at least, I used to love him. These days I’m not so sure how I feel anymore.”

My heart broke for my sister as I walked over and held her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Waylynn. I know how much he’s meant to you.”

She let out a sniffle but then pulled back, her façade in place again. “Let’s go cause some shit! You’re in New York, after all.”

I grinned and shook my head, letting it go for now. “Sounds like a plan!”

We spent the rest of the day exploring the West Village in New York City and eating everything we could get our hands on. By the time I got back to my hotel, I was feeling sick to my stomach. When Waylynn’s text came through, I groaned in protest as I dragged my ass off the bed and over to my phone.

Waylynn: I’ve got us an invite to the Electric Room!

My heart jumped with excitement. I smiled and replied:

Me: Are you shitting me? Waylynn, do you know how hard it is to get into that place?

Waylynn: LOL! Yes! I’ll have Jack’s driver get me at eleven and then we’ll pick you up. Sound good?

Me: Yes! I’ll be ready.

The next text I sent off was to my best friend, Jen, back in Oak Springs.

Me: You’ll never guess what?!

Jen: I bet I can play this game better. But what?

My curiosity piqued.

Me: You think you’ve got something better than me?

Jen: Oh, I’m almost positive I’ve got something better. Book worthy.

My brows lifted, and I hit her number.

“Hey,” Jen panted.

“Are you running or something?”

“Yep. I needed to clear my head.”

This had to be bad. Jen never ran. “What happened?”

“Are you sitting down?”

I sat on the edge of the bed. “Yeah.”

“I had sex with Martin.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Martin, as in the hot UPS guy?”

Jen groaned. “Oh, God. Amelia, I’m going to go to Hell.”

Laughing, I dropped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Why? ‘Cause you had sex with a hot guy?”