Page 68 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

Four sets of yes ping pong between each other’s and mine. I raise my eyebrows and jut out my chin like, what the fuck happened?

Izzy breaks the awkward silence. “She was gushing over how beautiful the wedding’s going to be, and I said hers will be beautiful someday too.”

She bites the corner of her mouth and Reid massages the base of her neck glaring daggers at me.

Is Delilah embarrassed or sad she isn’t getting married? Despite my desperation to be her husband. Izzy’s broken-up over inadvertently hurting her sister, and Reid’s furious because my dumb ass is at the center of the problem.

He knows how I feel about Delilah. I’m getting some real ‘shit or get off the pot’ vibes, but there’s no right move for me to make.

I can’t make her want me.

I can’t make her fall in love with me.

I’ve long accepted these facts. Why’s she sad about it not being her wedding? It can’t possibly because of me…right?

When Delilah returns from the bathroom, she’s folded in on herself. We need to get out of here. “Hey doll, would it be okay if we take off early?”

Brows furrowed, she says, “Of course, are you okay?”

“That second plate of nachos was a mistake.” I rub my stomach and feign a grimace.

I toss some cash onto the table, and we say our goodbyes. I help Delilah into the truck and have a silent meltdown cursing the stars as I walk to the driver’s side. The only sound in the cab of the truck is my head repeatedly knocking against the headrest.

“Do you want me to drive?” Delilah asks, voice laced with concern, gently rubbing my thigh.

“No, I’m not sick.” Her brow pinches with confusion.

“Something upset you and I wanted to get you out of there.”

Delilah looks down, and a ghost of shame mixed with anger passes over her delicate features.

She says nothing, and we drive home in charged silence.

I suffer walking behind her up the stairs, her pert ass swaying back and forth in denim cut-off shorts that’ve always driven me wild. Her crop top hangs loosely off one shoulder, her trim waist twisting with each step. She stops at our front door forcing me to reach around her body to unlock the door.

Our boots go onto the rack by the door, and she plops down on our couch, dejected. Kneeling, I remove her socks and gently rub the balls of her feet—her dressier cowboy boots don’t fit as well as her everyday boots.

I sweep the curtain of white gold from her face and tuck the priceless strands behind her ear.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, but if I did something to upset you, I’ll fix it, I promise. I’m going to take a shower and give you some alone time.”

I grab her socks from the floor and remove my own. I stand and walk towards the bedroom, stripping off my shirt as I go.

“Connor.”

I whip around and find tears in her crystalline eyes.

I’m on my knees again in front of her in a heartbeat.

33

Tonight was perfect—food, friends, and not a care in the world. I love seeing my sister so happy, and I have a big, gruff cowboy to thank. Izzy had a crush on Reid for years. It took him way longer to realize she’s everything he needed.

She, Livy, and I have been scrapbooking and giggling like little girls planning their wedding. She’d be happy in flip flops at the courthouse, but Reid wants to give her the wedding of her dreams and I’m determined to ensure she gets it.

I know Izzy didn’t mean to hurt me tonight, but her comment about my future wedding cut me to the quick.

I won’t have a wedding. Because the only man I’ll ever want to marry isn’t in love with me and never will be.