Love Profound (Cowboys & Angels 2)

“Trevor and Cord, I get.” Looking back at Tripp and Mitchell, I narrowed my eyes. “But you two, I don’t. You’re not interested in settling down? Having a family?”

I could see it in both of their eyes. They were tired of the rotating door of women.

Tripp shrugged. “I guess if the right girl comes along. Mine came and went a long time ago. Haven’t been able to find anyone like her since.”

My curiosity got the best of me. “Who was it?”

He grabbed the beer and took a long drink. “The one who got away.” He stood and let out a sigh. “I’m calling it a night, y’all.” He reached his hand out for mine. “Make him ask her to dance, will ya?”

With a grin, I nodded. “I will. Goodnight.”

“Later, Tripp,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell and I watched as Tripp made his way to the bar to say goodbye to Cord and Trevor. I swore he looked like someone had just delivered him bad news.

“Her name was Harley,” Mitchell said. “High school sweetheart. Tripp was planning on asking her to marry him before they left for college.”

“What happened?” I asked.

Mitchell slowly shook his head. “She didn’t want the same things Tripp wanted. He wanted to come back to Oak Springs. Start a law practice.”

“Let me guess? She was tired of the small-town living?”

“Pretty much. She loved horses. Went to vet school and never came back. Walked away from Tripp like it was no big deal. He never got over it.”

I looked down at the table. “Damn. That sucks.”

Mitchell hit me on the back. “Sucks is right. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Adams. I see a beautiful blonde who needs dancing with.”

I watched Mitchell make his way toward Corina. She wore a huge smile as Mitchell led her out to the dance floor.

“About damn time,” Trevor said, sitting down next to me. “Boy’s been pining for months.”

I sipped my beer and turned to Trevor. “What about you, Parker? No girl caught your eye yet?”

He tossed his head back and laughed. “Hell, no. I’m only twenty-four. Why would I want to settle down when I’m having so much fun?”

When his eyes met mine, his smile faded some. “What about you, Wade? Don’t you think it’s time you moved on?”

My chest squeezed, and for a moment it was hard to breathe.

“I’m not in a rush. If it happens, it happens.”

He stared like he could see into my lying eyes.

I do have feelings for someone. Your sister.

“You’re a good guy, Wade. Don’t let fear stand in your way.”

I let out a chuckle and shook my head. “Yeah. Maybe I just need to get laid.”

He waved his hands in front of him. “Take your pick. I’m pretty sure you could find a girl in here who would love to spend a few minutes alone with you. If that’s what you want.”

I knew he was right. Hell, I could probably take one in the bathroom and have a quick fuck. That wasn’t what I wanted, though.

“Not interested.”

He nodded. “Didn’t think so.”

We sat there for a few minutes as we watched the crowd.

I finally broke the silence. “I’m not going to lie to you, Trevor. You’re too good of a friend. There is a girl I’m…I guess, attracted to. Have feelings for. Hell, I don’t know what the fuck it is. I like her.”

As we faced each other, I felt my heart pound hard. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin my friendship with Trevor.

“Amelia?” he asked with a half grin.

My heart dropped. “How did you know?”

He huffed. “Dude, you don’t think I notice the way you hold your breath when she walks into the room? Or the way you stare at her with those fucking puppy dog eyes? Same goes for her. When she doesn’t think anyone is paying attention, she can’t keep her eyes off of you.”

I broke our eye contact. “I wasn’t looking for anything, Trevor. And you know I would never do anything to hurt you or your family.”

Reaching over, he squeezed my shoulder. “Wade, I trust you. You don’t think it crossed my mind if you came to work for us that you and Amelia might have an attraction? I’m not fucking stupid.”

I grinned. “She is beautiful.”

“Fuck yeah, she is. She’s also been hurt. I think she guards her heart pretty tightly. The only thing I’m going to ask is that you don’t push her. If it happens…like you said earlier….it happens. Just don’t rush her, dude.”

My pulse raced as I stared at my best friend. How in the hell did I ever luck out with him?

“You do know you saved my life, Trevor, right? I would never do anything to ruin our friendship, and I sure as hell would never do anything to hurt Amelia.”

He nodded. “That’s all I needed to hear.”