Mrs. Pierceson turned and started to walk into the house, and I gestured for Whitley to go in first. When we walked into the foyer, Mrs. P turned around and smiled at Whitley.

Whitley grinned back and put out her hand.

She’s in for a surprise.

“Oh, pishposh, girl. Come in for a hug!” Mrs. P grabbed Whitley and pulled her into an embrace.

Whitley let out a gasp and then giggled. “I’m so very sorry I’m late, Mrs. Pierceson. My car broke down, and…well, Mr. Morris here came to my rescue, sort of.”

I smiled and winked before I started heading toward the kitchen to go out to the barn. “Your knight in shining armor, I believe you said I was, CG.”

I turned to see her mouth hanging open while Mrs. P was smiling from ear to ear.

“CG? What does that stand for, my dear? Is that what you prefer to be called?”

Right as I opened the back door, I heard Whitley say, “No! God, no. Please just call me Whitley.”

As I made my way down to the barn, I could hear Mr. P singing away to some old George Jones’s song. I smiled to myself, thinking about how Mike used to come and talk to Mr. P for hours. I never knew what all they had talked about, but I was pretty sure Mr. and Mrs. Pierceson had known how we had lived. They had always left food at the gate but never bothered to come down to the house. My guess was they’d paid a visit when we weren’t home one day, and they probably never really knew how to talk to us about it.

Just as I was about to walk into the barn, I heard someone call out my name.

“Layton?”

The sound of her voice rang through my whole body. I hadn’t talked to Olivia since the night she’d told me she was leaving me.

I just stopped. I didn’t move. I was frozen.

After I took a deep breath, I started to walk into the barn.

“Layton, wait, please. Talk to me for just a second.”

I felt her hand on my arm, and I fought against wanting to take her into my arms. I slowly turned around and looked into those beautiful blue eyes. My heart began pounding.

I cleared my throat. “Hey, Olivia. I’m just heading to say hi to your uncle. If you’ll excuse me…”

“Please. I just want to know how you’re doing. I’ve heard, um…I’ve heard things have been tough for you, baby.”

I looked her up and down. Fuck, she looks good.

She was wearing tight-ass riding pants and a white T-shirt. I could see her n**ples through the shirt, and I was starting to get a hard-on from just looking at her.

“I’m doing fine, Olivia. Things have been great. No worries on my end. Just one big party.”

I went to walk away, but she held on to my arm.

“Layton, I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean to.”

I just looked at her. “Really, Liv? ’Cause you leaving me right after my brother died was a pretty big thing. Not sure how you didn’t think that one would hurt.”

She took a deep breath and threw her head back. “Layton, I’ll always love you, baby, but—”

“Please, Liv, I can’t deal with this right now, okay?”

Just when I feel like I’m moving on and finally forgetting her, I have to f**king see her. Fuck!

“Baby, I just want to be friends, and when I hear about you whoring around with the town slut, I get a little worried. I don’t want you to sell yourself short. You deserve so much more, Layton. Baby, would you like to have dinner tonight?”

I just stared at her. I was tempted to say yes. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with her. She took a step closer and ran her hand up and down my chest as she leaned into me. My knees felt weak, and I longed for her to touch me more.

“Layton, I’ve missed you, baby,” she whispered against my neck.

Olivia…I’ve missed you.

I tried to talk, but all that came out was a low moan.

“Hmm, I’ve missed hearing those sounds you make, Layton. Have you missed me? Touch me, and tell me you’ve missed me.”

I closed my eyes and placed my hand on her hip. I pulled her even closer to me, so she could feel my hard-on.

She let out a small giggle and then moved her lips up to my ear. “Who’s the girl, Layton? Are you seeing someone new?”

My eyes flew open. What? What girl? Who’s she talking about?

I pulled back and looked at her. “What?”

She licked her lips and grabbed my dick. “Is this for me? Or for the brunette you pulled up with?”

Just then, I heard Justin’s voice calling out for Olivia. She moved her lips to my mouth and bit on my lower lip before stepping away from me.

I couldn’t even think straight. I watched as Justin walked over with a smile as he saw Olivia. She strolled right into his arms and kissed him. I felt sick to my stomach.

What in the f**k just happened?

Justin pulled back, and that was when he noticed me.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here, Morris. Um, Liv, is everything okay?”

Did he just call her Liv? That’s my nickname for her, not his. Fucking prick.

Olivia turned back and looked at me. “Oh yeah, baby. Layton was just going to visit my uncle, and we ran into each other. You never did tell me why you’re here, Layton.” Her voice was now cold toward me.

I glanced between her and Justin. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. P and Whitley coming toward us.

Fuck.

I turned and started to head inside the barn toward Mr. P’s singing voice. I needed room to breathe.

What in the hell did she just do to me? Who is she talking about? What brunette—

Just as I reached Mr. P, it hit me. She must have seen me helping Whitley out of the truck.

She thinks we’re together.

“Hey, Layton! What a great surprise!” Mr. P yelled out.

I smiled and held my hand up in a wave. “Hey, Mr. P. Um…I’ll be right back.”

I turned and stormed out of the barn. As I walked up, I could see Mrs. P introducing Whitley to Olivia and Justin.

I came up and grabbed Olivia’s arm. “I need to talk to you—now.”

Olivia looked around, and her face blushed. “Um…Layton, can it wait? I mean—”

“No, you started it, and I’m finishing it.”

I glanced at Justin, and he seemed like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. I glanced at Whitley, and she had a terrified look on her face.

“Fine! If you’ll excuse me…” Olivia yanked her arm from my hand.

She made her way up to the house, and I followed behind her. As soon as the kitchen door shut, she attempted to kiss me, but I pushed her away.

“What in the f**k are you doing? Are you purposely trying to mess with my head, Liv?”

She started laughing. “Oh Christ, Layton. I’ve just missed you, that’s all. You were always such a good fuck.” She licked her lips.

I looked away from her and saw Whitley glaring back at the house.

“What’s your game?” I asked Olivia, never taking my eyes off of Whitley.

“My game? What do you mean?”

“You left me for one of my best friends the day after my brother died. I haven’t heard from you for months, and now, you see me, and you grab my dick and tell me you want a romp in the sack with me. What’s your game?”

I watched as Whitley continued to stare at the house. For one brief moment, I saw concern all over her face.

Concern for me? Or for Olivia? Does she think I’m going to hurt Olivia?

I slowly turned around and saw Olivia glaring out toward Whitley.

“Who is she?”

Holy shit, she’s jealous of CG.

“It’s none of your goddamn business who she is.”

Olivia’s head snapped over, and she studied me. “The hell it isn’t. She’s talking to my aunt. What does she want with my aunt? She’s probably just using you to get close to my aunt for her money. That girl is trouble, Layton.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “You don’t even know who she is!”

Olivia turned and shook her head. “Don’t be desperate, Layton. It’s so unbecoming of a Southern gentleman. Go ahead and screw the local barmaid, but don’t bring your tramps around to meet my aunt and uncle. You got me?”

What a bitch. How did I ever love her?

I turned to walk back out the door, but then Olivia grabbed my arm.

“Did you hear me? I mean it, Layton. Don’t test me.”

“Oh, f**k off, Olivia. Who I f**k and who I don’t f**k is none of your business anymore. As far as who is talking to your aunt, her name is Whitley, and she’s new in town and starting a business. Your aunt met her the other day, and Whit’s planning a party for Mrs. P.”

Olivia stared out the window toward Whitley. “You f**king her?” she asked without looking back at me.

“I believe I already said that’s none of your business.”

She snapped her head and glared at me.

“But I’ll answer you anyway. No, I’m not sleeping with her.” I opened the door, walked out, and slammed it behind me.

I heard Olivia open the door, and she started following me. “Layton, I’m sorry. Please just let me explain.”

I picked up my pace and made it over to Mrs. P, Justin, and Whitley. Whitley took one look at me and smiled slightly before glancing over my shoulder at Olivia.

“So, You’re starting a party-planning business? Olivia said..

“You’re starting a party-planning business?”

Mrs. P smiled and clapped her hands. “Yes! Yes, she is, and I’m her first client.”

Whitley grinned and nodded. “Really? I mean, I can go over more ideas and things with you first—”

Mrs. P shook her head. “No! I like you, CG. You’re exactly what this town needs—a breath of fresh air. And my party is going to be your debut.”

“Oh, I promise you, I won’t let you down!” Whitley peeked over toward me and smiled. “And it’s Whitley. I don’t really care for Layton’s nickname for me.”

I gave her my best smile, which caused her to look at me funny. I glanced at Olivia, and she had a pissed-off look on her face.

“Well, since my aunt is so fond of you, Whitley, I’m going to have to talk to you about planning my engagement party.”

Holy fuck. All the air just left my lungs. I looked at Justin, who glanced at me and then quickly turned away. They’re getting married?

“I’d love to—” Whitley started to say.

“You can’t plan their engagement party, CG!” I practically yelled out.

Whitley turned and gave me the dirtiest look I’d ever gotten. “Excuse me? And why not, Layton?”

Ah hell. I didn’t really know this girl all that well, but I could tell that was her pissed-off look.

“Yes, why not, Layton?” Olivia asked with a smirk.

What a bitch. I’ll never let another woman in my heart again.

I looked between Whitley, Mrs. P, and Olivia. Justin started to walk away toward the barn.

Fucker.

“Um…I just meant you might not want to get in over your head and all since you’re just starting out.”