Page 59 of Yours To Take
“How long is he staying for? He keeps saying a few weeks. But his life is back in LA.”
“Gemma—”
“Let me,” Layla cuts Ivy off. “I am the first person to tell you that you should be careful. I settled and now look at me. I’m divorced before the age of thirty.”
Every time Layla mentions her divorce, it make me sad for her. My big sister is one of my favorite people in the world, and her divorce broke her. It’s taken her years to get back to some semblance of who she used to be.
“Instead of playing it safe for once”—she pauses—“do the reckless thing.”
I sip on my wine. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been reckless in my life.”
Layla smiles at me. “There’s a first time for everything. Have fun. Enjoy yourself with this guy who can teach you a thing or two.”
I laugh, thinking about the list.
Oh yeah. There will definitely be some learning all right.
“And when he leaves?”
Ivy reaches across the table, clasping my arm. “Then that’s why you have us.”
I was so wrapped up in the moment with Blake, that I didn’t stop to think about what his leaving might do to me.
Layla’s right. I should enjoy it. I so rarely do things for myself. I’m always putting the ranch first.
And should my heart get broken?
Well, I guess I have these two women I can lean on.
ChapterSixteen
BLAKE
“Do I really have to wear this?”
Gemma gives me an annoyed look. I’d be miffed if she wasn’t so damn cute.
“By all means, wear regular shoes and pants. Makes no difference to me if you’re sopping wet to your balls.”
I snort, choking around the sip of coffee I just had.
“Jesus, Gemma. Warn a guy next time.”
The truck rumbles down the road, closer to the river. After that storm blew through, it’s like life exploded out here. Trees are greening from the mountains as far as the eye can see, mixed in with wildflowers. It’s nothing you see in LA, that’s for sure.
“You ready for this?” Gemma pulls the truck over into a pullout next to the river.
“As long as you show me how.”
Opening the door, Gemma hops out of the truck and I follow.
“You’ll get the hang of it.”
Gemma grabs a tackle box out of the bed of the truck along with two fishing poles. I follow her down to a shallow part of the river.
I didn’t have the first clue what Gemma would show me about western life. I had pretty limited ideas to be honest.
Even though I’ve never been fishing before, I can’t say I mind spending the day with Gemma.
