Page 107 of Over the Line

Holding her drink between her hands, Vanessa regarded Sydney. “After getting away from Lewis, you took a trip to celebrate, right? The Bahamas, right?”

“You’re right.” Swimming in the warm Caribbean waters had been both cathartic and wonderful. As she’d relaxed on the beach with a cocktail, she’d regrouped and decided on a path to reestablish her business.

By the time she’d returned to Colorado, she’d been filled with energy and looking forward to a future that she’d enjoyed…right up until she’d driven away from the Eagle’s Bend.

“But this time is different. You’re different. You’re staying home, alone. You’re not interested in working or socializing. And this is the first time you’ve refused an invitation to the Den.” Vanessa pursed her lips, as if considering what she’d just said. “Well, unless you were out of town. You go through men—Tops—as if they’re interchangeable.” Barely slowing down to take a breath, Vanessa plowed forward. “And you sure as Colorado snow don’t go home with them. Or return repeatedly for more. Which means that something is different.”

Sydney frowned. She hated that her friend knew her so well.

“Ergo…”

“Ergo?” Sydney repeated after swallowing back her emotions.

“Honey, you are in love with the man. In a way you never were with Lewis…”

Vanessa kept talking, but her words buzzed in Sydney’s head, drowning out the rest of what her friend was saying.

Love?

That couldn’t be possible.

She’d spent years vowing that she wouldn’t allow herself to experience that mind-numbing emotion ever again.

But there it was.

“Have you heard anything I’ve said?” Vanessa demanded.

“I…” Sydney faced her friend. “No. Sorry.”

“You love him, don’t you? It’s the only thing that makes sense. Otherwise, you’d be guiding some fall hikes or horseback rides, right? Getting in some final trips to Moab. Planning your winter activities. Or you’d be checking something off your bucket list. Trekking somewhere I can’t pronounce. Sipping mai tais on a cruise ship. Buying a ticket to go see the northern lights. But you sure as hell wouldn’t be moping around your condo, watching lousy—”

“I’ve told you I wasn’t mo—”

“You were in pajamas and buried under a blanket watching a terrible home improvement show.”

“Those brothers are handsome.”

Her protest didn’t persuade Vanessa. “I literally had to drag your ass out of the house. And find you some clothes.”

Though she’d selected her outfit, Sydney didn’t bother arguing.

“At any rate, I rest my case.” Vanessa slurped through her straw. “You’re in love with that sexy cowboy.” Then, more quietly, she added, “Have you finally found someone who deserves you?”

“Or maybe he’s like Lewis?” Sydney challenged, unsure whether she was trying to convince herself or her friend.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Yeah, he sounds a lot like Lewis. I mean, Master Michael goes out and gets drunk all the time, right?”

“As if.” This time, it was Sydney’s turn to roll her eyes. “An occasional glass of nice wine.”

“So he makes you kneel and wait for him while he games or goes someplace and passes out?”

Frantically, she shook her head. She couldn’t even conceive of him behaving that way. When they were sceneing, he rarely left her alone. When he did, he always reassured her that he’d be right back.

“Allows other men to touch you?”

“God, no.” In fact, when he’d learned what Lewis had done to her, he’d threatened to kill the bastard.

“So…” Vanessa wiggled around. “Tell me again what’s so awful about the man that you had to run away.”