Page 71 of Dallas Rivals

I down my coffee like it’s a tequila shot while feeling both of their eyes drilling into me.

Too much staring. Way too much.

“This coffee’s amazing, Eli, thanks!”

And before anyone can say another word, I bolt out of the kitchen, away from whatever’s happening in my stomach.

Some people might call it butterflies. I’m pretty sure it’s something way more aggressive, like an alien trying to claw its way out. Or maybe a rhino.

When I reach the stables, the horses greet me with obvious irritation.

“I know! I know! I’m sorry!” I mutter, opening each stall one by one so they can go out to graze. “It was a long night. I’ll tell you everything later—it’s actually a pretty interesting story.”

Then I hear it, the low hum of the SUV.

I mutter a curse under my breath as I see him step out with that effortless grandeur only rich men seem to have.

“Cala…” He looks completely out of place in this barn—tailored suit, polished shoes, perfectly trimmed beard.

Meanwhile, I’m in my work clothes, no makeup, and I don’t even want to know what my hair looks like right now.

Ruby’s heavy hooves echo inside the barn. I lead her by the reins to the corral and let her run free.

Then I turn to him, take a breath, and brace myself for whatever he’s about to say.

“Thank you.”

I blink. “For what?”

“You know what for.” His hand brushes the back of his neck. “Denying that your presence is changing something in me would be… ridiculous.”

A small smile pulls at my lips, completely uninvited.

“I told you I wanted to help,” I say softly. “I’m glad I could.”

Seeing him last night—vulnerable, terrified—wasn’t easy. He didn’t look like the brooding, impossible Heathcliff I know. He looked like a scared kid. I wanted to hold him, to tell him everything would be okay, but I knew touching him was the worst thing I could do.

Oliver takes my hand and presses a light kiss to the back of it, a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

He turns, climbs into the SUV, and drives off toward the city.

I clutch my lapis lazuli pendant between my palms and look up at the sky.

“I’m in trouble, Grandma.”

By noon my parents are back. We have a quick lunch where they tell me what the doctor said and what to expect.

Not much will change, apparently. The doctor just wanted to check how my father’s healing was going.

He, on the other hand, came back darker and quieter than ever.

That afternoon I settle into the garden.

This time I play music from my phone—“Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader. I read somewhere that plants like music, and honestly, they’ve been looking better every day, so I’m sticking with it.

I pull weeds, check every leaf, and sing along, using the little hand trowel as a microphone.