Page 40 of One Wild Chance

I just hope that someday, she’ll look at those flowers and it will bring back a memory of us. Something she might recognize, even if she doesn’t know why.

When I get in my truck, my phone rings with a FaceTime call.

“How was your mom today?” Larissa asks when I pick up.

I lean my head back against the headrest. “She didn’t recognize me today.”

She exhales. “Oh, girl. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. Do you need some company?” she asks. She’s making herself a smoothie, pulling things out of the fridge. “I was thinking about heading to the Blue Moon Saloon since they have a live band tonight.”

“I don’t know,” I say, already feeling the ache in my back. “I’m so tired.”

“I know. But sitting home alone after a day like today? That is a crime against yourself, and I will not let it happen.” She pulls out a tub of yogurt from the fridge. “Also, I heard Wyatt might come.”

“Then I definitely can’t go with you.”

“Why not?”

“Because if Wyatt is there, Jaxon might be too.” I rub my hand across my eyes. “We had an argument today at the market.”

“What do you mean?” She shuts the fridge door.

“He started acting all weird when Blaine came by the booth.”

Her eyes widen. “Blaine Callahan?”

“Yes. And I have no idea why. Even offered to buy all my flowers.”

Larissa smiles, looking way too invested in this. “Do you think Jaxon was jealous seeing you with Blaine?”

I shake my head. “He’s not jealous. The man had a line of women waiting for his autograph today. Even the vet gave him her card and said to call her.”

Larissa’s jaw drops. “Mollie Holliday?”

I nod. “She’s the perfect type for Jaxon. Especially since he’s such a flirt.”

Larissa shakes her head. “No. I think he’s just oblivious. Flirts with everyone, but is blind to it when it’s him. Always been that way.”

“Really?” I frown. He said he wasn’t interested in Mollie, and I hadn’t believed him. Then again, he hadn’t believed me about Blaine either. “I don’t even know if I remember how to flirt with a man.”

“This is exactly why you should come with me tonight,” Larissa says as she scoops yogurt into the blender. “So you can remember how to talk to a man.”

“I’m focused on my business right now. I don’t have time to date.”

“Summer, listen to me,” she says, pausing to hold the phone up. “After the day you’ve had, you deserve to have some fun and remember how to laugh. Also, I cannot go alone. Not when Wyatt is going to be there.”

It’s no secret that Larissa has been a big NFL fan since the day she heard he grew up in this town. But he makes her so nervous, she can’t even approach him when he’s actually in town.

She dumps some berries into the blender. “I need you there. You’re my anchor. My⁠—”

“Please don’t say emotional support person. That’s so clinical.”

“I was going to say best friend,” she corrects me. “Who looks absolutely incredible when she puts on that blue maxi dress with her cowboy boots. Any man would be lucky to talk to you. If I let you stay home, then I’m not being a good friend. You need to have a social life beyond horses.”

“Hey!” I complain. “Horses make great companions.”