Page 16 of Bride ’N Boots

I nodded.

Arden grinned, clearly delighted.

“Great. I’ll meet you out front of the house,” Stratton said. He came to me and leaned down. “Don’t worry, gremlin. You can ogle me later. I promise.”

I held in a groan as he sauntered from the barn.

“Turn,” Arden commanded.

I turned and she unzipped the back of the dress and I went to the empty stall.

“Okay, talk,” she said.

“Talk? About what? About me going to lunch with him?”

“No. What were you guys talking about out there? When you were both standing next to Honeysuckle.”

“You didn’t overhear our entire conversation?” I asked with a laugh.

“No,” she admitted. “You guys were talking too softly, but I definitely caught the kiss on camera. By the way, your lipstick is totally smeared.”

I slithered out of the wedding dress and was careful to keep the skirt off the ground. She took the dress from me.

“I’m breaking up with Ethan,” I announced as I reached for my shirt.

“What? No way.”

“Way,” I said. “It’s time. You know it’s time. Past time.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the hot cowboy who wants to take you to lunch and then for a whirl on his, ah, appropriately sized appendage . . .”

“You snuck a look while he was in his boxers,” I accused.

“I’m only a woman. A woman with a libido. But relax, Maise. He’s all yours. He only has eyes for you.”

Her words offered me comfort and security. Arden and I had never competed for a man, and we weren’t doing it now.

“I can’t stay,” she said. “I have to get to the studio and drop off the clothes to get dry cleaned.”

“Oh.” I nibbled my lip. “My car is in Coeur d’Alene.”

“I’m sure Stratton will give you a ride. In more ways than one.”

“Arden,” I said with a laugh.

“That’s happening, right? Like, please. You two are ready to combust.”

“We just met.”

“So? When were you with Ethan last?” she demanded.

I thought on her question.

“If you have to think, it’s been too long.”

“A few months ago,” I said finally. “When I went out to Seattle to visit him.”

“And he didn’t make you orgasm. You should’ve dumped his ass for good, right then and there.”