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Silas wasted no time hanging up on me.

Well, Madison.

But also… me.

Because while I might have deliberately been trying to get a rise out of him, my words were my own.

That was why my pulse was jumping around, why my belly felt all sloshy.

I focused on taking a few deep breaths before refreshing the comments section.

Aw! Silas is lonely!

He’s probably never even been laid. Have you heard the way he talks?

I had.

On the radio and in person.

And I was pretty sure Silas—cynical takes on love aside—would have no issues finding a woman to warm his bed.

I liked this call. It seemed deeper than just banter. I think they both unearthed some real wounds.

I couldn’t speak for Silas, but I definitely felt a little raw and exposed, even with my anonymity to protect me.

I powered down my computer and straightened my desk, deciding it was definitely a night to go home, work on a new recipe, and get lost in a book to distract myself from the spinning, unpleasant fears and uncertainties the conversation had caused.

“Babe! Tacos and tequila?” Tess asked as I walked into the hall.

“Cupcakes and cowboys,” I shot back.

“Cowboys, huh?” she asked, walking me toward the door.

“They’re cowboy bikers.”

“That’s my girl. Who doesn’t love a bad boy who—oh, hey.”

Glancing up, I saw Silas standing there.

Almost… almost as if he was waiting for me.

“Tess,” he said with a little incline of his chin. “Are you walking her home?”

“I don’t need you two to walk me home.”

They ignored me.

“I was actually going for tequila and tacos. Do you mind?”

“I’m a full-grown adult. With pepper spray.”

“It’s sweet that you think that would do anything.” Tess went to pat my shoulder, making me curl up in anticipation. “Right. Forgot about your back. Well, get home safe.” She lightly chucked me on the chin and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

“Shall we?”

“For the record, you don’t have to.”

“For the record, I do.”